Lockout/Tagout devices should be ___.

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) devices are crucial for ensuring the safety of workers when they are servicing or maintaining equipment. The importance of these devices being standardized lies in their ability to provide a consistent and reliable method of controlling hazardous energy.

Standardization means that the devices used for lockout and tagout are uniform in their design and function. This consistency is vital because it ensures that all workers understand how to use the devices properly and can recognize them easily. When LOTO devices are standardized, it reduces the risk of error, as workers will be familiar with the specific type of device being used and how it operates. Moreover, standardized devices help in ensuring compliance with safety regulations and guidelines, which provides further protection against workplace hazards.

The other choices do not support the primary goal of safety in the workplace as effectively as standardization does. While temporary, inexpensive, or expendable devices may serve a purpose in certain contexts, they do not provide the assurance of reliability and permanence necessary for effectively safeguarding employees from accidental starts or releases of hazardous energy. Therefore, having standardized lockout/tagout devices is essential for promoting a safe working environment.