The purpose of the OSHA lockout/tagout procedure is to ensure that?

The purpose of the OSHA lockout/tagout procedure is to ensure that equipment and individuals are isolated from all potential hazardous energy. This procedure is crucial for maintaining safety during maintenance and servicing tasks. By effectively isolating all energy sources, such as electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and thermal energy, the likelihood of accidental machine start-up or release of stored energy is significantly reduced. This safeguard protects workers from injuries that can occur when machines are being repaired or maintained.

In the context of the other options, while only trained personnel being present is important for safety, it does not encompass the full scope of what lockout/tagout aims to achieve. The emphasis on quick maintenance work does not align with the fundamental goal of ensuring a safe work environment. Similarly, marking machinery for safety purposes is a part of a broader safety regime but does not capture the critical focus of isolating hazardous energy that is central to the lockout/tagout procedure. The primary aim is the protection of workers from hazardous energies, making it integral to industrial safety protocols.