OSHA 1910.147 Lockout/Tagout Requirements

What 1910.147 requires

Who it applies to, and common exemptions

What a compliant written program must contain

Each item below cites the specific paragraph of 29 CFR 1910.147 it comes from, so you can verify it against the regulation rather than taking this page’s word for it.

• 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 where 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)

• If an energy isolating device is not capable of being locked out, the employer's energy control program shall utilize a tagout system.

  1910.147(c)(2)(i)

• If an energy isolating device is capable of being locked out, the employer's energy control program shall utilize lockout unless the employer can demonstrate that the utilization of a tagout system will provide full employee protection as set forth in paragraph (c)(3).

  1910.147(c)(2)(ii)

• After January 2, 1990, whenever replacement or major repair, renovation or modification of a machine or equipment is performed, and whenever new machines or equipment are installed, energy isolating devices for such machine or equipment shall be designed to accept a lockout device.

  1910.147(c)(2)(iii)

• When a tagout device is used on an energy isolating device which is capable of being locked out, the tagout device shall be attached at the same location that the lockout device would have been attached, and the employer shall demonstrate that the tagout program will provide a level of safety equivalent to that obtained by using a lockout program.

  1910.147(c)(3)(i)

• To demonstrate equivalent safety when using tagout on devices capable of lockout, the employer must show full compliance with all tagout provisions of the standard and consider additional measures (for example removal of an isolating circuit element, blocking a controlling switch, opening an extra disconnecting device, or removal of a valve handle) as necessary to provide equivalent protection.

  1910.147(c)(3)(ii)

• Procedures shall be developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees are engaged in covered servicing and/or maintenance activities.

  1910.147(c)(4)(i)

• Exception (conjunctive): The employer need not document the required procedure for a particular machine or equipment only when all eight of the following elements exist: (1) no potential for stored or residual energy or reaccumulation after shutdown that could endanger employees; (2) a single energy source that can be readily identified and isolated; (3) isolation and locking out that energy source will completely deenergize and deactivate the machine; (4) the machine is isolated from that energy source and locked out during servicing; (5) a single lockout device will achieve a locked-out condition; (6) the lockout device is under the exclusive control of the authorized employee performing the servicing; (7) the servicing does not create hazards for other employees; and (8) the employer has had no accidents involving unexpected activation or reenergization of the machine during servicing or maintenance.

  1910.147(c)(4) Exception

• The procedures shall clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance, and shall include at least: (A) a specific statement of intended use; (B) specific steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment; (C) specific steps for placement, removal and transfer of lockout/tagout devices and responsibility for them; and (D) specific requirements for testing a machine or equipment to verify effectiveness of the energy control measures.

  1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(A)-(D)

• The employer shall provide locks, tags, chains, wedges, key blocks, adapter pins, self-locking fasteners, or other hardware for isolating, securing or blocking machines or equipment from energy sources.

  1910.147(c)(5)(i)

• Lockout and tagout devices shall be singularly identified; shall be the only devices(s) used for controlling energy; shall not be used for other purposes; and shall meet the standard's durability, standardization, substantiality and identifiability requirements.

  1910.147(c)(5)(ii)

• Durability requirements: lockout/tagout devices must withstand the environment to which they are exposed for the maximum expected exposure period; tagout devices must be constructed and printed so exposure to weather or wet/damp locations will not cause deterioration or illegibility; tags must not deteriorate in corrosive environments.

  1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(A)(1)-(3)

• Standardization requirement: lockout and tagout devices shall be standardized within the facility by at least one criterion such as color, shape, or size; for tagout devices, print and format shall also be standardized.

  1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(B)

• Substantiality requirements: lockout devices must be substantial enough to prevent removal without excessive force or unusual techniques; tagout devices (including attachment) must be substantial enough to prevent inadvertent removal, and attachment means must be non-reusable, hand-attachable, self-locking, non-releasable, with minimum unlocking strength not less than 50 pounds and generally equivalent to a one-piece nylon cable tie.

  1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(C)(1)-(2)

• Identifiability: lockout and tagout devices shall indicate the identity of the employee applying the device(s).

  1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(D)

• Tagout devices shall warn against hazardous conditions if the machine or equipment is energized and shall include legends such as: Do Not Start, Do Not Open, Do Not Close, Do Not Energize, Do Not Operate.

  1910.147(c)(5)(iii)

• 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)

• The periodic inspection shall be performed by an authorized employee other than the ones(s) utilizing the energy control procedure being inspected.

  1910.147(c)(6)(i)(A)

• The periodic inspection shall be conducted to correct any deviations or inadequacies identified.

  1910.147(c)(6)(i)(B)

• Where lockout is used for energy control, the periodic inspection shall include a review, between the inspector and each authorized employee, of that employee's responsibilities under the energy control procedure being inspected.

  1910.147(c)(6)(i)(C)

• Where tagout is used for energy control, the periodic inspection shall include a review, between the inspector and each authorized and affected employee, of that employee's responsibilities under the energy control procedure being inspected, and the elements set forth in paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of this section.

  1910.147(c)(6)(i)(D)

• The employer shall certify that the periodic inspections have been performed. The certification shall identify the machine or equipment on which the energy control procedure was being utilized, the date of the inspection, the employees included in the inspection, and the person performing the inspection.

  1910.147(c)(6)(ii)

• The employer shall provide training so that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood and the knowledge and skills required for safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls are acquired.

  1910.147(c)(7)(i)

• Authorized employees shall receive training in recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.

  1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A)

• Each affected employee shall be instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure.

  1910.147(c)(7)(i)(B)

• All other employees whose work operations are or may be in an area where energy control procedures may be utilized shall be instructed about the procedure and the prohibition against attempting to restart or reenergize locked out or tagged out machines or equipment.

  1910.147(c)(7)(i)(C)

• When tagout systems are used, employees must be trained in the limitations of tags, including that tags are warning devices and do not provide the physical restraint of a lock; tags must not be removed without authorization; tags must be legible and understandable; tag materials must withstand environmental conditions; tags may evoke a false sense of security; and tags must be securely attached.

  1910.147(c)(7)(ii)(A)-(F)

• Retraining is required for all authorized and affected employees whenever any of these occur: a change in their job assignments; a change in machines, equipment, or processes that presents a new hazard; or a change in the energy control procedures. Additional retraining is required whenever a periodic inspection under (c)(6) reveals, or the employer has reason to believe, that there are deviations from or inadequacies in an employee's knowledge or use of the energy control procedures. The retraining must reestablish employee proficiency and introduce new or revised control methods and procedures as necessary.

  1910.147(c)(7)(iii)(A)-(C)

• The employer shall certify that employee training has been accomplished and is being kept up to date; the certification shall contain each employee's name and dates of training.

  1910.147(c)(7)(iv)

• Lockout or tagout shall be performed only by the authorized employees who are performing the servicing or maintenance.

  1910.147(c)(8)

• Affected employees shall be notified by the employer or authorized employee of the application and removal of lockout or tagout devices; notification shall be given before the controls are applied and after they are removed.

  1910.147(c)(9)

• Before shutting down, the authorized employee shall know the type and magnitude of the energy, the hazards of the energy to be controlled, and the method or means to control the energy.

  1910.147(d)(1)

• The machine or equipment shall be turned off or shut down using established procedures; an orderly shutdown must be used to avoid additional or increased hazards resulting from the stoppage.

  1910.147(d)(2)

• All energy isolating devices needed to control the energy shall be physically located and operated to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source(s).

  1910.147(d)(3)

• Lockout or tagout devices shall be affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees.

  1910.147(d)(4)(i)

• Lockout devices, where used, shall be affixed in a manner that will hold the energy isolating devices in a "safe" or "off" position.

  1910.147(d)(4)(ii)

• Tagout devices, where used, shall be affixed so as to clearly indicate that operation or movement of energy isolating devices from the "safe" or "off" position is prohibited; when used with devices designed to be locked, the tag attachment shall be fastened at the same point a lock would have been attached; when a tag cannot be affixed directly, it shall be located as close as safely possible to the device in a position immediately obvious to anyone attempting to operate it.

  1910.147(d)(4)(iii)(A)-(B)

• After application of lockout or tagout devices, all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy shall be relieved, disconnected, restrained, and otherwise rendered safe.

  1910.147(d)(5)(i)

• If there is a possibility of reaccumulation of stored energy to a hazardous level, verification of isolation shall be continued until servicing/maintenance is completed or until the possibility no longer exists.

  1910.147(d)(5)(ii)

• Prior to starting work on locked out or tagged out machines/equipment, the authorized employee shall verify that isolation and deenergization have been accomplished.

  1910.147(d)(6)

• Before removal of lockout/tagout devices and restoration of energy, inspect the work area to ensure nonessential items have been removed and machine components are operationally intact.

  1910.147(e)(1)

• Check the work area to ensure all employees have been safely positioned or removed before restoring energy.

  1910.147(e)(2)(i)

• After lockout/tagout devices have been removed and before a machine/equipment is started, affected employees shall be notified that the devices have been removed.

  1910.147(e)(2)(ii)

• Each lockout or tagout device must be removed from each energy isolating device by the employee who applied it. Exception: when that authorized employee is not available, the device may be removed under the direction of the employer only if specific procedures AND training for such removal have been developed, documented, and incorporated into the employer's energy control program, and the employer demonstrates that the specific procedure provides equivalent safety. That procedure must include at least: (i) verification by the employer that the authorized employee who applied the device is not at the facility; (ii) making all reasonable efforts to contact the authorized employee to inform them their device has been removed; and (iii) ensuring the authorized employee has this knowledge before resuming work at that facility.

  1910.147(e)(3) and Exception

• When lockout/tagout devices must be temporarily removed to test or position machines/equipment, the employer must: (i) clear tools/materials per paragraph (e)(1); (ii) remove employees from area per (e)(2); (iii) remove the devices per (e)(3); (iv) energize and test/position; (v) deenergize and reapply energy control measures per paragraph (d) to continue servicing/maintenance.

  1910.147(f)(1)(i)-(v)

• When outside servicing personnel are engaged in covered activities, the on-site employer and the outside employer shall inform each other of their respective lockout/tagout procedures, and the on-site employer shall ensure his/her employees understand and comply with the outside employer's restrictions and prohibitions.

  1910.147(f)(2)(i)-(ii)

• Group lockout or tagout devices must be used in accordance with the procedures required by (c)(4), including at least: (A) primary responsibility vested in an authorized employee for a set number of employees working under the protection of a group lockout or tagout device; (B) provision for that authorized employee to ascertain the exposure status of individual group members with regard to the lockout or tagout of the machine or equipment; (C) where more than one crew, craft, or department is involved, assignment of overall job-associated lockout or tagout control responsibility to an authorized employee designated to coordinate affected work forces and ensure continuity of protection; and (D) each authorized employee must affix a personal lockout or tagout device to the group lockout device, group lockbox, or comparable mechanism when beginning work, and remove it when they stop working on the machine or equipment.

  1910.147(f)(3)(i)-(ii)(A)-(D)

• Specific procedures shall be utilized during shift or personnel changes to ensure continuity of lockout/tagout protection, including provision for orderly transfer of lockout/tagout device protection between off-going and oncoming employees to minimize exposure to hazards from unexpected energization, start-up, or release of stored energy.

  1910.147(f)(4)

Regulatory text

Quoted verbatim from 29 CFR 1910.147. Federal regulations are in the public domain. Excerpts are reproduced exactly and are not a substitute for reading the full standard.