29 CFR 1910 · General Industry · Subpart J

1910.147(a)(2): Where Lockout/Tagout Applies

By Black Belt Safety Editorial Team Official text as of October 15, 2026 Data updated October 24, 2026 4 min read

In plain words:

The lockout/tagout rule applies when employers control energy during servicing and maintenance of machines. Normal production is covered only if a worker must remove or bypass a guard or put part of their body in the point of operation or a danger zone, except minor routine tasks done with effective alternative protection. It does not apply to cord-and-plug equipment that is unplugged and under the worker's exclusive control, or certain hot tap work.

Key takeaways

  • 1910.147(a)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
  • OSHA cited it 34 times in the last 3 years, in 34 inspections, with $282,775 in current penalties.
  • Most citations: GA (8), NJ (3), FL (3).
  • Related part: 1910.147(a) Scope, application, and purpose (56 citations).
  • Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
34citations, 3 years
$282,775current penalties
34inspections
0linked injury cases
In this article
  1. What this rule covers
  2. Official text
  3. Where and how often it was cited
  4. Free toolbox talk
  5. OSHA interpretation letters
  6. Related parts of this rule
  7. Get your crew competent
  8. Frequently asked questions
  9. About this page

What this rule covers

29 CFR 1910.147(a)(2) ("Application") is one requirement inside 1910.147 The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). It includes 7 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

(2) Application. 34 citations

(i) This standard applies to the control of energy during servicing and/or maintenance of machines and equipment.

(ii) Normal production operations are not covered by this standard (See subpart O of this part). Servicing and/or maintenance which takes place during normal production operations is covered by this standard only if;: Open (a)(2)(ii) 25 citations

(A) An employee is required to remove or bypass a guard or other safety device; or Open (a)(2)(ii)(a) 3 citations

(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. Open (a)(2)(ii)(b) 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).

(iii) This standard does not apply to the following. Open (a)(2)(iii) 9 citations

(A) Work on cord and plug connected electric equipment for which exposure to the hazards of unexpected energization or start up of the equipment is controlled by the unplugging of the equipment from the energy source and by the plug being under the exclusive control of the employee performing the servicing or maintenance. Open (a)(2)(iii)(a) 9 citations

(B) Hot tap operations involving transmission and distribution systems for substances such as gas, steam, water or petroleum products when they are performed on pressurized pipelines, provided that the employer demonstrates that

(1) continuity of service is essential;

(2) shutdown of the system is impractical; and

(3) documented procedures are followed, and special equipment is used which will provide proven effective protection for employees.

Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.147.

Where and how often it was cited

YearCitations
20231
202413
202514
20266

Top states: GA (8), NJ (3), FL (3), WI (2), TX (2)

Largest penalties

EmployerLocationPenalty for this rule
SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC.WICHITA, KS$16,550
ROYAL METAL PRODUCTS, LLCTEMPLE, GA$16,131
THE HERSHEY COMPANYROBINSON, IL$16,131
RPM INTERNATIONAL INC.ELLAVILLE, GA$14,895
PACTIVEVERGREEN, INC.TEMPLE, TX$14,583

Free toolbox talk

A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.147(a)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.




OSHA interpretation letters

Related parts of this rule

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

Does lockout/tagout apply during normal production?

Only if a worker must remove or bypass a guard or place part of the body into the point of operation or an associated danger zone.

Are minor tool changes covered?

Not if they are routine, repetitive and integral to production and done with alternative measures that give effective protection.

Is unplugging a cord-and-plug tool enough?

Yes, if unplugging controls the hazard and the plug is under the exclusive control of the person doing the work.

About this page

Sources

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.

Written and reviewed by

Black Belt Safety Editorial Team

Site Safety Officer and Safety Professional

OSHA 30 · CPR · USACE CQM

Written and reviewed by the Black Belt Safety team. Every post is checked against the OSHA standard or agency source it cites.

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