1910.147(c)(1): The energy control program
Employers must have an energy control program made up of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections. Its goal is that before any employee services or maintains a machine that could unexpectedly start, energize or release stored energy and cause injury, the machine is isolated from its energy source and made inoperative.
Key takeaways
- 1910.147(c)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 1,454 times in the last 3 years, in 1,453 inspections, with $4,638,204 in current penalties.
- 20 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NJ (142), IL (128), MI (101).
- Related part: 1910.147(c) General (11,187 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1) ("Energy control program") 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
(1) Energy control program. The employer shall establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performs any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, start up or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source, and rendered inoperative. 1,454 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.147.
Injuries linked to this rule
20 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.147(c)(1).
At 8:15 a.m. on January 30, 2025, Employee #1 was replacing burst panels on thebucket conveyor when a flash fire occurred as the top burst panel was removed. Employee #1 was struck by the flash fire and died from the injuries sustained bythe flash fire.
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 | 78 |
| 2024 | 498 |
| 2025 | 510 |
| 2026 | 368 |
Top states: NJ (142), IL (128), MI (101), MA (100), TN (93)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| INFINITE PRECAST, LLC | TRUSSVILLE, AL | $99,308 |
| FAMILY FRESH PACK, INC. | MONTICELLO, WI | $95,000 |
| JMJ CASEWORKS, INC. | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $47,669 |
| DAEHAN SOLUTION NEVADA, LLC. | FERNLEY, NV | $28,125 |
| ENGINEERED TEXTILE PRODUCTS, INC. | CALHOUN, GA | $23,170 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.147(c)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Motor-control-circuit switches and relays are prohibited from being used as energy isolating devices. (2003-07-15)
- Use of Monitored Power Systems for lockout/tagout. (1999-12-16)
- Use of "generic" LOTO procedures in conjunction with "work authorization permits". (1999-11-03)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.147(c) General 11,187 citations
- 1910.147(c)(4) Energy control procedure 4,087 citations
- 1910.147(c)(4)(i) 2,952 citations
- 1910.147(c)(7) Training and communication 2,758 citations
- 1910.147(c)(6) Periodic inspection 2,446 citations
- 1910.147(c)(7)(i) 2,347 citations
- 1910.147(c)(6)(i) 2,024 citations
- 1910.147(c)(4)(ii) 1,131 citations
- 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A) 938 citations
- 1910.147(c)(6)(ii) 408 citations
- 1910.147(c)(5) Protective materials and hardware 350 citations
- 1910.147(c)(7)(iv) 311 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What are the three parts of the program?
Energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections.
When must the machine be isolated?
Before any employee performs servicing or maintenance where unexpected energizing, start-up or release of stored energy could cause injury.
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.