There are many hardware options available for your lockout program at any time, and it may be difficult to know which high security padlock is suitable for your specific situation. Coupled with the complexity of dealing with lockout procedures for multiple departments or centers, the options available may also be completely overwhelming.
Safety padlocks are used to lock specific equipment or machinery or even entire areas during preventive maintenance or repairs. They are an integral part of industrial safety measures and are equally important in any environment with heavy machinery or electrical installations.
Safety padlocks are insurmountable and are more effective in restricting access than safety tags and other purely visual indicators that may not attract attention.
There are many features that you can look for padlocks that will enable you to make smarter purchases and invest smarter. You will be able to judge whether a padlock is a cheap and unreliable option or a safe and sturdy option.
The first thing to consider is the material and size of the lock and key. You will want to ensure that the size of the lock is large to increase security, the key has as many pins as possible. Choose hard alloy or alloy steel locks to achieve the best security. The better the metal, the safer the padlock. Be sure to choose a thicker metal, such as an alloy, but don’t worry about its weight, as this does not always indicate its strength.
Next, take a look at the shoulder pads, because the thicker the better. Also known as a lock sleeve, any metal covering the lock sleeve adds an extra layer of metal, which must be cut or removed to open the lock.
In the case, the lock keeps more protection, has less access and less coverage. In addition, if you have a hardened plate called an anti-drilling plate, you will find that the drill bit will not break through, which means better safety.
A common bypass for locks is the washer filling of the shackle, which can also happen without ball bearings. Shackles also have different release methods, which affect safety. This means that if you need to release the shackles at both ends instead of one end, the criminal will have to spend more time cutting, which can save you time and slow you down.
Finally, the core of the padlock used to lock the key is an important part of whether it can be kept safe. The key is inserted into the cylinder, and the various pins on the lock will play an important role here. You will ask the following questions: how many pins are there, what type of pins are they, and whether there are other functions (such as sidebar or backfill).
There are only two reasons for safety padlocks:
Prevent theft.
Prevent unauthorized access to areas or items.
So, when you choose a safety padlock, make sure it works properly. High security padlocks work well.
