What happens if the authorized person is not available to remove the lockout/tagout devices?

In the real world, it is not always possible for the authorized person to remain available during the lockout/tagout device removal time. One easy example for this situation is if the maintenance workers finish their work after the authorized person has left for the day - say, during the night. Another example is if the work lasts a few days and ends when the authorized person has a day off or is on vacation.

To allow for such eventualities, OSHA allows another authorized person to fill in for the first one. This is allowed provided following conditions are met:

a. The new authorized person must check to ensure that the original authorized person is not present in the facility.

b. An attempt is made to contact the original authorized employee to inform him that the lockout/tagout devices are being removed.

c. Ensure, the original authorized person is informed about the removal of the lockout/tagout devices before he resumes work.