1910.261(b): Lockouts and Emergency Lighting in Paper Mills
Pulp, paper and paperboard mills must provide padlocks or similar devices for locking out power at the main disconnect. Before maintenance, cleaning or servicing that requires entering or close contact with equipment, the main disconnect or valve must be locked out or blocked off. Emergency lighting is required where workers must stay to shut down equipment, at emergency exit routes, and in first aid and medical facilities.
Key takeaways
- 1910.261(b) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 7 times in the last 3 years, in 7 inspections, with $58,376 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.261(b)(1) Lockouts (7 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.261(b) ("Safe practices") is one requirement inside 1910.261 Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). It includes 2 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
(b) Safe practices — 7 citations
(1) Lockouts. Devices such as padlocks shall be provided for locking out the source of power at the main disconnect switch. Before any maintenance, inspection, cleaning, adjusting, or servicing of equipment (electrical, mechanical, or other) that requires entrance into or close contact with the machinery or equipment, the main power disconnect switch or valve, or both, controlling its source of power or flow of material, shall be locked out or blocked off with padlock, blank flange, or similar device. Open (b)(1) 7 citations
(2) Emergency lighting. Emergency lighting shall be provided wherever it is necessary for employees to remain at their machines or stations to shut down equipment in case of power failure. Emergency lighting shall be provided at stairways and passageways or aisleways used by employees for emergency exit in case of power failure. Emergency lighting shall be provided in all plant first aid and medical facilities.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.261.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.261(b).
At 9:00 p.m. on April 27, 2024, an employee was working on a paper machine. The employee was found entrapped in a roll winder. The employee was killed due to blunt force trauma.
Where and how often it was cited
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.261(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Interpretation of Lockouts. (1977-01-14)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.261(b)(1) Lockouts 7 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When must equipment be locked out?
Before any maintenance, inspection, cleaning, adjusting or servicing that requires entrance into or close contact with the machinery or equipment.
What devices can be used?
A padlock, blank flange or similar device.
Where is emergency lighting required?
Where employees stay at machines to shut down equipment in a power failure, at stairways and passageways used for emergency exit, and in all plant first aid and medical facilities.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.261 (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.