1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D): Personal Locks on Group Lockout
In group lockout, each authorized employee must attach a personal lockout or tagout device to the group lockout device, group lockbox or similar mechanism when starting work, and remove it when they stop working on the machine or equipment.
Key takeaways
- 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 125 times in the last 3 years, in 125 inspections, with $444,038 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: WI (20), MI (19), IL (16).
- Related part: 1910.147(f) Additional requirements (493 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D) is one requirement inside 1910.147 The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). 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
(D) Each authorized employee shall affix a personal lockout or tagout device to the group lockout device, group lockbox, or comparable mechanism when he or she begins work, and shall remove those devices when he or she stops working on the machine or equipment being serviced or maintained. 125 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.147.
Injuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D).
At 12:00 p.m. on December 5, 2024, Employee #1 was overseeing the sorter bay to ensure proper sorting of wood cant pieces. A wood cant became jammed in Sorter Bay 6, and the employee reached into the machine to clear the obstruction. The sorter bay…
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 | 8 |
| 2024 | 34 |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2026 | 38 |
Top states: WI (20), MI (19), IL (16), OH (8), CO (7)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MICHIGAN SUGAR COMPANY | CROSWELL, MI | $70,000 |
| PRECISION BUILD SOLUTIONS, LLC | TAMPA, FL | $16,550 |
| GILSTER-MARY LEE CORPORATION | PERRYVILLE, MO | $16,550 |
| MODWASH LLC | SICKLERVILLE, NJ | $16,550 |
| BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY | DEVENS, MA | $16,131 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.147(f) Additional requirements 493 citations
- 1910.147(f)(3) Group lockout or tagout 240 citations
- 1910.147(f)(3)(ii) 147 citations
- 1910.147(f)(1) Testing or positioning of machines, equipment or components thereof 140 citations
- 1910.147(f)(2) Outside personnel (contractors, etc.) 96 citations
- 1910.147(f)(2)(i) 92 citations
- 1910.147(f)(3)(i) 91 citations
- 1910.147(f)(1)(ii) 73 citations
- 1910.147(f)(4) Shift or personnel changes 17 citations
- 1910.147(f)(1)(v) 14 citations
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
Do I need my own lock during group lockout?
Yes. Each authorized employee must affix a personal lockout or tagout device to the group device or lockbox.
When do I put my lock on?
When you begin work on the machine or equipment.
When do I take my lock off?
When you stop working on the machine or equipment being serviced or maintained.
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.