1910.147(c)(4)(ii): What Lockout Procedures Must Include
Employers must write energy control procedures that clearly spell out the scope, purpose, authorization, rules and techniques for controlling hazardous energy, and how compliance is enforced. Each procedure must state its intended use and give specific steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing equipment, for placing and removing lockout or tagout devices, and for testing that energy control works.
Key takeaways
- 1910.147(c)(4)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 1,131 times in the last 3 years, in 1,044 inspections, with $5,776,015 in current penalties.
- 20 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: OH (111), WI (104), MI (91).
- Related part: 1910.147(c) General (11,187 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii) is one requirement inside 1910.147 The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). It includes 4 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
(ii) The procedures shall clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, the following: 1,131 citations
(A) A specific statement of the intended use of the procedure; Open (c)(4)(ii)(a) 36 citations
(B) Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy; Open (c)(4)(ii)(b) 224 citations
(C) Specific procedural steps for the placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices or tagout devices and the responsibility for them; and Open (c)(4)(ii)(c) 53 citations
(D) Specific requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control measures. Open (c)(4)(ii)(d) 75 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)(4)(ii).
An employee was working to realign a plywood target attached to a stationary armor target lift machine. The stationary armor target lift machine was present, and the plywood target was in the up position for employee to perform maintenance. The stationary armor target lift machine…
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 | 65 |
| 2024 | 400 |
| 2025 | 402 |
| 2026 | 264 |
Top states: OH (111), WI (104), MI (91), IL (90), NJ (85)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MODWASH LLC | SICKLERVILLE, NJ | $99,300 |
| KOCH FOODS OF CINCINNATI LLC | FAIRFIELD, OH | $99,300 |
| MODERN MATERIALS CORP. | HAMDEN, CT | $82,757 |
| M & H CRATES, INC. | JACKSONVILLE, TX | $63,880 |
| INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL U.S., INC. | SHEBOYGAN, WI | $59,580 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.147(c)(4)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- PSM compliance for ammonia refrigeration systems. (2006-07-12)
- Recognition of ANSI/ASSE Z244.1 "Control of Hazardous Energy - Lockout/Tagout and Alternative Methods" consensus standard (2004-11-10)
- Requirements for developing sufficiently-detailed written procedures for all machinery/equipment lockout/tagout. (2003-01-14)
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)(1) Energy control program 1,454 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 must every lockout procedure include at a minimum?
A statement of intended use, steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing the equipment, steps for placing, removing and transferring lockout or tagout devices, and requirements for testing that the controls work.
Does a lockout procedure need a verification step?
Yes. It must include specific requirements for testing the machine to verify that lockout devices, tagout devices and other energy controls are effective.
Must the procedure say who is responsible for locks?
Yes. It must cover the responsibility for placing, removing and transferring lockout or tagout devices.
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.