OSHA lockout/tagout (1910.147): energy control compliance
How do you run a lockout/tagout program that meets 1910.147?
OSHA's lockout/tagout standard, 29 CFR 1910.147, requires employers to establish an energy control program that keeps machines from unexpectedly starting up, or releasing stored energy, while they are serviced or maintained.
A compliant program has six parts, which are a written program, machine-specific procedures, employer-provided hardware, an annual periodic inspection, role-based training, and a sequenced application and release procedure. Each part is set out below with the controlling CFR text quoted verbatim and linked to osha.gov.
What the standard covers
"This standard covers the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected energization or start up of the machines or equipment, or release of stored energy could cause injury to employees."
It does not cover normal production operations or work covered by 1910.147(a)(2)(ii)'s exceptions.
Why it matters: the enforcement record
The figures are OSHA citation counts and penalty totals from the enforcement record, federal and state plan, filtered by NAICS sector. To see the count for your own industry and state, use the free OSHA citation-risk tool, which ranks the standards most cited in your sector and requires no account.
The six elements of a compliant program
A written energy control program
1910.147(c)(1)The program combines written procedures, training, and periodic inspections, so that no servicing or maintenance work starts until the machine is isolated and de-energized.
"The employer shall establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performs any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, start up or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source, and rendered inoperative."
1910.147(c)(1), osha.gov Machine-specific written procedures
1910.147(c)(4)(i)–(ii)A generic, undocumented policy does not satisfy the standard, because procedures must be documented and must outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques. The procedures must also include the steps for shutdown, isolation, lockout-device placement and removal, and verification of de-energization under (c)(4)(ii)(A)–(D).
"Procedures shall be developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees are engaged in the activities covered by this section."
1910.147(c)(4)(i)–(ii), osha.gov Employer-provided lockout/tagout hardware
1910.147(c)(5)(i)The employer supplies the locks, tags, and blocking hardware instead of the worker, and the devices must be durable, standardized, substantial, and identifiable to the individual who applies them.
"Locks, tags, chains, wedges, key blocks, adapter pins, self-locking fasteners, or other hardware shall be provided by the employer for isolating, securing or blocking of machines or equipment from energy sources."
1910.147(c)(5)(i), osha.gov Annual periodic inspection
1910.147(c)(6)(i)At least once a year, an authorized employee, someone other than the worker using the procedure being checked, must inspect the energy control procedure and correct any deviations or inadequacies found.
"The employer shall conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard are being followed."
1910.147(c)(6)(i), osha.gov Role-based employee training
1910.147(c)(7)(i)Authorized, affected, and other employees each receive training that matches their role, and retraining is required when jobs, machines, or procedures change, or when an inspection reveals deviations.
"The employer shall provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls are acquired by employees."
1910.147(c)(7)(i), osha.gov A sequenced application and release procedure
1910.147(d)–(e)Application and release follow an ordered sequence. Before work begins, the employer notifies affected employees, shuts down the equipment, isolates it, applies devices, releases stored energy, and verifies isolation, and when work is done the employer inspects the area, clears it, and re-energizes the equipment.
"The established procedures for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) shall cover the following elements and actions and shall be done in the following sequence:"
1910.147(d)–(e), osha.gov
Lockout vs. tagout: which is required
Lockout is the default. Tagout is permitted only when an energy-isolating device cannot be locked out, and even then it must deliver protection equivalent to lockout.
| Dimension | Lockout | Tagout |
|---|---|---|
| When is each required? | The default method, required whenever the energy-isolating device is capable of being locked out. | Permitted only when the isolating device is not capable of being locked out, 1910.147(c)(2)(i). |
| Level of protection | A physical lock that prevents the device from being operated. | A warning tag only, with no physical restraint, and it must provide protection equivalent to lockout under (c)(3)(ii). |
| Extra steps | The standard application, verification, and release sequence. | Demonstrated full-employee protection plus additional safety measures (e.g., removing an isolating circuit element) per (c)(3)(ii). |
Grounded in 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(2) and (c)(3), osha.gov
Group and contractor work
When a crew works under one procedure, 1910.147(f)(3)(i) requires a group procedure that gives each worker "a level of protection equivalent to that provided by the implementation of a personal lockout or tagout device." In addition, under (f)(2)(i), when outside servicing personnel are on site, "the on-site employer and the outside employer shall inform each other of their respective lockout or tagout procedures."
Frequently asked questions
What is OSHA 1910.147 (lockout/tagout)?
29 CFR 1910.147, "The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)," is the OSHA general-industry standard that covers the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected energization, start up, or release of stored energy could cause injury. It requires employers to establish an energy control program built from written procedures, employee training, and periodic inspections.
Does OSHA require a written lockout/tagout program?
Yes. Under 1910.147(c)(1) the employer must establish an energy control program, and under 1910.147(c)(4)(i) the energy control procedures "shall be developed, documented and utilized." A generic, undocumented policy does not satisfy the standard, and the procedures must be machine-specific and written.
How often must a lockout/tagout periodic inspection be done?
At least annually. 1910.147(c)(6)(i) requires the employer to conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually, performed by an authorized employee other than the one using the procedure being inspected, to identify and correct any deviations or inadequacies.
What is the difference between lockout and tagout under 1910.147?
Lockout uses a physical lock to hold an energy-isolating device in the safe position and is the default. Tagout uses a warning tag with no physical restraint and is permitted only when the isolating device is not capable of being locked out (1910.147(c)(2)(i)). A tagout-only system must provide protection equivalent to lockout, which generally requires additional safety measures under 1910.147(c)(3)(ii).
Who must be trained under lockout/tagout?
1910.147(c)(7) requires role-based training. Authorized employees who apply the controls are trained in recognizing hazardous energy and the methods to isolate and control it. Affected employees are trained on the purpose and use of the procedure, and other employees are instructed about the prohibition on restarting locked-out equipment. Retraining is required when there is a change in job assignment, machines, equipment, processes, or the procedure.
How much do lockout/tagout violations cost?
Lockout/tagout is one of OSHA's most-cited general-industry standards. In NAICS 33 manufacturing alone, the enforcement record shows 6,207 citations of 1910.147(c)(1) (no energy control program) carrying more than $8.3 million in penalties, and 7,451 citations of 1910.147(c)(6)(i) for missed periodic inspections.
Citations, penalties and the most-cited paragraphs of the lockout/tagout standard since 2016, by year, industry and state, with the interpretation letters that cite it.
If OSHA has not directly answered a question about your equipment, the LOI Drafter builds a cited request based on the standard and prior interpretations.
See how often 1910.147 is cited in your NAICS sector and state, ranked against every other standard, and no account is required.
The guide summarizes 29 CFR 1910.147 for general reference, quotes the standard verbatim where indicated, and is not legal advice. Always consult the current eCFR text and osha.gov for the controlling requirements.