1910.269(m)(3)(ii): Open and Lock Every Energy Source
Employers must make sure all switches, disconnectors, jumpers, taps and other means that could feed known energy to lines or equipment being deenergized are open. They must make these means inoperable unless the design does not allow it, and tag them to show employees are at work.
Key takeaways
- 1910.269(m)(3)(ii) 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 $63,993 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.269(m) Deenergizing lines and equipment for employee protection (24 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.269(m)(3)(ii) is one requirement inside 1910.269 Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). 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
(ii) The employer shall ensure that all switches, disconnectors, jumpers, taps, and other means through which known sources of electric energy may be supplied to the particular lines and equipment to be deenergized are open. The employer shall render such means inoperable, unless its design does not so permit, and then ensure that such means are tagged to indicate that employees are at work. 7 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.269.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.269(m)(3)(ii).
At 1:30 p.m. on June 19, 2024, an employee was electrocuted while accomplishing maintenance on a 7.2kV distribution line. The employee was killed.
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
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.269(m)(3)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Tagging transmission lines covered under, 1910.269(m)(3)(ii) (2020-01-31)
- Network protectors must have the manual override position blocked, locked, or otherwise disabled; must need use of a tool to manually place in closed position. (2005-03-07)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.269(m) Deenergizing lines and equipment for employee protection 24 citations
- 1910.269(m)(3) Deenergizing lines and equipment 20 citations
- 1910.269(m)(3)(vi) 8 citations
- 1910.269(m)(2) General 4 citations
- 1910.269(m)(2)(ii) 2 citations
- 1910.269(m)(1) Application
- 1910.269(m)(3)(viii)
- 1910.269(m)(3)(ix)
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Frequently asked questions
What must be opened when deenergizing lines?
All switches, disconnectors, jumpers, taps and other means through which known sources of electric energy may be supplied.
What if a disconnect cannot be made inoperable?
If its design does not permit it, it must still be open and tagged to show employees are at work.
What do the tags say?
They must indicate that employees are at work.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.269 (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 2026-10-21
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.