1910.147(a)(2): Where Lockout/Tagout Applies
The lockout/tagout rule applies when employers control energy during servicing and maintenance of machines. Normal production is covered only if a worker must remove or bypass a guard or put part of their body in the point of operation or a danger zone, except minor routine tasks done with effective alternative protection. It does not apply to cord-and-plug equipment that is unplugged and under the worker's exclusive control, or certain hot tap work.
Key takeaways
- 1910.147(a)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 34 times in the last 3 years, in 34 inspections, with $282,775 in current penalties.
- Most citations: GA (8), NJ (3), FL (3).
- Related part: 1910.147(a) Scope, application, and purpose (56 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.147(a)(2) ("Application") is one requirement inside 1910.147 The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). It includes 7 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(2) Application. 34 citations
(i) This standard applies to the control of energy during servicing and/or maintenance of machines and equipment.
(ii) Normal production operations are not covered by this standard (See subpart O of this part). Servicing and/or maintenance which takes place during normal production operations is covered by this standard only if;: Open (a)(2)(ii) 25 citations
(A) An employee is required to remove or bypass a guard or other safety device; or Open (a)(2)(ii)(a) 3 citations
(B) An employee is required to place any part of his or her body into an area on a machine or piece of equipment where work is actually performed upon the material being processed (point of operation) or where an associated danger zone exists during a machine operating cycle. Open (a)(2)(ii)(b) 19 citations
Exception to paragraph (a)(2)(ii): Minor tool changes and adjustments, and other minor servicing activities, which take place during normal production operations, are not covered by this standard if they are routine, repetitive, and integral to the use of the equipment for production, provided that the work is performed using alternative measures which provide effective protection (See subpart O of this part).
(iii) This standard does not apply to the following. Open (a)(2)(iii) 9 citations
(A) Work on cord and plug connected electric equipment for which exposure to the hazards of unexpected energization or start up of the equipment is controlled by the unplugging of the equipment from the energy source and by the plug being under the exclusive control of the employee performing the servicing or maintenance. Open (a)(2)(iii)(a) 9 citations
(B) Hot tap operations involving transmission and distribution systems for substances such as gas, steam, water or petroleum products when they are performed on pressurized pipelines, provided that the employer demonstrates that
(1) continuity of service is essential;
(2) shutdown of the system is impractical; and
(3) documented procedures are followed, and special equipment is used which will provide proven effective protection for employees.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.147.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: GA (8), NJ (3), FL (3), WI (2), TX (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC. | WICHITA, KS | $16,550 |
| ROYAL METAL PRODUCTS, LLC | TEMPLE, GA | $16,131 |
| THE HERSHEY COMPANY | ROBINSON, IL | $16,131 |
| RPM INTERNATIONAL INC. | ELLAVILLE, GA | $14,895 |
| PACTIVEVERGREEN, INC. | TEMPLE, TX | $14,583 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.147(a)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Use of a PLC system as an alternative measure which provides effective protection for minor servicing activities. (2008-01-25)
- Lockout/Tagout and the provisions for testing or positioning of machines while they are energized. (2007-05-04)
- Evaluation of the ElectroGuard disconnect system for use as an energy isolating device. (2007-02-26)
- Application of the Lockout/Tagout standard to die-setting activities and other machine setup operations. (2006-12-28)
- Several questions regarding OSHA's LOTO and Bakery standards 29 CFR 1910.147 and 1910.263. (2006-08-25)
- Interlock requirements for access door(s) of trash compactor. (2006-01-18)
- Lockout/tagout requirements for servicing manually-controlled vertical/horizontal milling machine and drill press tool changes. (2005-08-24)
- Lock out/Tag out (LOTO) requirements for die-setting operations in hydraulic power presses. (2005-04-22)
- LOTO: minor servicing exemption and the use of a lockable on/off switch as an alternate measure to provide effective protection. (2004-10-20)
- Printing Industry: Lock Out/Tag Out and the essential elements of the inch-safe-service technique (2004-04-07)
- Motor-control-circuit switches and relays are prohibited from being used as energy isolating devices. (2003-07-15)
- Clarification on the USPS's lockout/tagout procedures and minor servicing operations for the multiple line optical character recognition sorter. (2003-06-11)
- Scenario of a tool change process applied to Lock Out/Tag Out's service and maintenance exception. (2002-06-21)
- Coverage of minor machine-servicing activities under the Lockout/Tagout standard. (2002-05-17)
- Lockout/tagout: preferred means of energy isolation; non cord-and-plug powered equipment. (2000-03-22)
- Use of Monitored Power Systems for lockout/tagout. (1999-12-16)
- OSHA enforcement policy on vertical food mixers. (1999-02-26)
- Application of 1910.147 to the change out of a grinding wheel. (1998-10-20)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.147(a) Scope, application, and purpose 56 citations
- 1910.147(a)(2)(ii) 25 citations
- 1910.147(a)(3)(i) 20 citations
- 1910.147(a)(3) Purpose 20 citations
- 1910.147(a)(2)(ii)(B) 19 citations
- 1910.147(a)(2)(iii) 9 citations
- 1910.147(a)(2)(iii)(A) 9 citations
- 1910.147(a)(2)(ii)(A) 3 citations
- 1910.147(a)(1) Scope 2 citations
- 1910.147(a)(1)(i) 2 citations
- 1910.147(a)(1)(ii)
- 1910.147(a)(1)(ii)(D)
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Does lockout/tagout apply during normal production?
Only if a worker must remove or bypass a guard or place part of the body into the point of operation or an associated danger zone.
Are minor tool changes covered?
Not if they are routine, repetitive and integral to production and done with alternative measures that give effective protection.
Is unplugging a cord-and-plug tool enough?
Yes, if unplugging controls the hazard and the plug is under the exclusive control of the person doing the work.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.147 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-24
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.
