1910.147(c)(6)(i): Annual review of each lockout procedure
At least once a year the employer must inspect each energy control procedure to confirm it and the lockout/tagout standard are being followed. The inspector must be an authorized employee who does not use the procedure being inspected, and the inspection must correct any problems found. For lockout, the inspector reviews each authorized employee's responsibilities with them; for tagout, the review includes authorized and affected employees and the limits of tags.
Key takeaways
- 1910.147(c)(6)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 2,024 times in the last 3 years, in 2,002 inspections, with $5,394,976 in current penalties.
- 23 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (250), MN (199), NJ (177).
- Related part: 1910.147(c) General (11,187 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i) is one requirement inside 1910.147 The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). It includes 4 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
(i) 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. 2,024 citations
(A) The periodic inspection shall be perfomed by an authorized employee other than the ones(s) utilizing the energy control procedure being inspected. Open (c)(6)(i)(a) 19 citations
(B) The periodic inspection shall be conducted to correct any deviations or inadequacies identified. Open (c)(6)(i)(b) 13 citations
(C) 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. Open (c)(6)(i)(c) 89 citations
(D) 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. Open (c)(6)(i)(d) 4 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.147.
Injuries linked to this rule
23 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.147(c)(6)(i).
An employee was working to realign a plywood target attached to a stationary armor target lift machine. The stationary armor target lift machine was present, and the plywood target was in the up position for employee to perform maintenance. The stationary armor target lift machine…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 118 |
| 2024 | 686 |
| 2025 | 721 |
| 2026 | 499 |
Top states: MI (250), MN (199), NJ (177), NY (149), OH (142)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ELKHART PRODUCTS CORPORATION | FAYETTEVILLE, AR | $88,721 |
| METALLUS, INC. | CANTON, OH | $80,029 |
| MICELI DAIRY PRODUCTS CO. | CLEVELAND, OH | $76,230 |
| 67130 - METALSA STRUCTURAL PRODUCTS INC | GLENDALE, KY | $70,000 |
| MICHIGAN SUGAR COMPANY | CROSWELL, MI | $70,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.147(c)(6)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Lock out/Tag out periodic inspection requirements. (2004-03-09)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.147(c) General 11,187 citations
- 1910.147(c)(4) Energy control procedure 4,087 citations
- 1910.147(c)(4)(i) 2,952 citations
- 1910.147(c)(7) Training and communication 2,758 citations
- 1910.147(c)(6) Periodic inspection 2,446 citations
- 1910.147(c)(7)(i) 2,347 citations
- 1910.147(c)(1) Energy control program 1,454 citations
- 1910.147(c)(4)(ii) 1,131 citations
- 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A) 938 citations
- 1910.147(c)(6)(ii) 408 citations
- 1910.147(c)(5) Protective materials and hardware 350 citations
- 1910.147(c)(7)(iv) 311 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Can the person who uses the procedure inspect it?
No. The periodic inspection must be performed by an authorized employee other than the one(s) using the procedure being inspected.
What happens if the inspection finds problems?
The inspection is conducted to correct any deviations or inadequacies identified.
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 2026-10-20
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.