1910.147(a)(2)(ii)(B): Lockout When Reaching Into the Point of Operation
The lockout/tagout rule covers servicing when an employee must place any part of the body where work is performed on the material (the point of operation) or into a danger zone during a machine cycle. Minor tool changes and adjustments during normal production are not covered if routine, repetitive and integral to production, and done with alternative measures that give effective protection.
Key takeaways
- 1910.147(a)(2)(ii)(B) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 19 times in the last 3 years, in 19 inspections, with $171,404 in current penalties.
- Most citations: GA (7), TX (2), TN (1).
- 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)(ii)(B) 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
(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. 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).
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.147.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: GA (7), TX (2), TN (1), KY (1), FL (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ROYAL METAL PRODUCTS, LLC | TEMPLE, GA | $16,131 |
| RPM INTERNATIONAL INC. | ELLAVILLE, GA | $14,895 |
| PACTIVEVERGREEN, INC. | TEMPLE, TX | $14,583 |
| HANDCRAFT CLEANERS & LAUNDERERS, INC. | RICHMOND, VA | $12,390 |
| CREATE-A-PACK FOODS, INC. | IXONIA, WI | $12,288 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.147(a)(2)(ii)(B), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- OSHA enforcement policy on vertical food mixers. (1999-02-26)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.147(a) Scope, application, and purpose 56 citations
- 1910.147(a)(2) Application 34 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)(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
When does reaching into a machine require lockout?
When an employee places any part of the body into the point of operation or an associated danger zone during an operating cycle.
Are minor tool changes covered?
Not if they are routine, repetitive and integral to production and done using alternative measures that provide effective protection.
Where are the alternative measures described?
The rule refers to subpart O of part 1910.
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.