1910.147(c)(4): Written lockout/tagout procedures
Employers must develop, document and use procedures for controlling hazardous energy. Each procedure must clearly lay out its scope, purpose, authorization, rules and techniques, including the specific steps to shut down, isolate, block and secure the machine, how lockout or tagout devices are placed, removed and transferred, and how to test and verify the energy controls worked. A written procedure is not needed for a particular machine only when all eight conditions in the exception are met, such as a single, easily identified energy source and no stored energy.
Key takeaways
- 1910.147(c)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 4,087 times in the last 3 years, in 3,750 inspections, with $28,752,589 in current penalties.
- 67 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (539), OH (280), WI (267).
- 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) ("Energy control procedure") is one requirement inside 1910.147 The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). It includes 6 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
(4) Energy control procedure. 4,087 citations
(i) Procedures shall be developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees are engaged in the activities covered by this section. Open (c)(4)(i) 2,952 citations
Exception: The employer need not document the required procedure for a particular machine or equipment, when all of the following elements exist: (1) The machine or equipment has no potential for stored or residual energy or reaccumulation of stored energy after shut down which could endanger employees; (2) the machine or equipment has a single energy source which can be readily identified and isolated; (3) the isolation and locking out of that energy source will completely deenergize and deactivate the machine or equipment; (4) the machine or equipment is isolated from that energy source and locked out during servicing or maintenance; (5) a single lockout device will achieve a locked-out condition; (6) the lockout device is under the exclusive control of the authorized employee performing the servicing or maintenance; (7) the servicing or maintenance does not create hazards for other employees; and (8) the employer, in utilizing this exception, has had no accidents involving the unexpected activation or reenergization of the machine or equipment during servicing or maintenance.
(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: Open (c)(4)(ii) 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
67 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.147(c)(4).
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 | 234 |
| 2024 | 1,462 |
| 2025 | 1,403 |
| 2026 | 988 |
Top states: MI (539), OH (280), WI (267), NY (244), NC (222)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| TAYLOR FARMS NEW JERSEY, INC. | SWEDESBORO, NJ | $1,026,184 |
| MDLG, INC. | PHENIX CITY, AL | $967,938 |
| MODWASH LLC | SICKLERVILLE, NJ | $264,814 |
| UNITED RENTALS | MICKLETON, NJ | $165,514 |
| WATERLOO PROCESSING, LLC | WATERLOO, IA | $165,514 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.147(c)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- PSM compliance for ammonia refrigeration systems. (2006-07-12)
- Use of additional lock on a conveyor and baler system exceeds one lockout device. (2006-05-09)
- Hazardous energy control lockout/tagout (LOTO) program documentation and certification requirements. (2005-05-10)
- Recognition of ANSI/ASSE Z244.1 "Control of Hazardous Energy - Lockout/Tagout and Alternative Methods" consensus standard (2004-11-10)
- Clarification of "authorized" and "affected" employees and proper energy control procedures. (2004-02-10)
- Requirements for developing sufficiently-detailed written procedures for all machinery/equipment lockout/tagout. (2003-01-14)
- Energy control procedures must be developed unless eight conditions met. (2000-04-11)
- Permit-required confined spaces and control of hazardous energy; vehicle LOTO. (1996-01-11)
- Lockout/tagout procedures, including work permits and groups of machines/equipment. (1994-08-12)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.147(c) General 11,187 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)(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
When can we skip writing a lockout procedure for a machine?
Only when all eight elements of the exception exist, including: no stored or residual energy, a single energy source that is easy to identify and isolate, a single lockout device achieves lockout under the exclusive control of the authorized employee, and no past accidents from unexpected activation during servicing.
What must a lockout procedure include?
The intended use of the procedure, steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing the machine, steps for placing, removing and transferring lockout or tagout devices, and requirements for testing to verify the energy controls work.
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.