1910.147(c)(5): Lockout Locks, Tags and Hardware
Employers must provide the locks, tags, chains, wedges and other hardware needed to isolate equipment from energy. Lockout and tagout devices must be singularly identified, used only for energy control, durable for their environment, standardized in color, shape or size, and substantial enough to resist removal, with tag attachments that are non-reusable, self-locking and at least 50 pounds unlocking strength.
Key takeaways
- 1910.147(c)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 350 times in the last 3 years, in 328 inspections, with $797,544 in current penalties.
- 7 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (36), NY (28), WI (26).
- 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)(5) ("Protective materials and hardware") 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
(5) Protective materials and hardware. 350 citations
(i) Locks, tags, chains, wedges, key blocks, adapter pins, self-locking fasteners, or other hardware shall be provided by the employer for isolating, securing or blocking of machines or equipment from energy sources. Open (c)(5)(i) 137 citations
(ii) Lockout devices and tagout devices shall be singularly identified; shall be the only devices(s) used for controlling energy; shall not be used for other purposes; and shall meet the following requirements: Open (c)(5)(ii) 212 citations
(A) Durable. 3 citations
(1) Lockout and tagout devices shall be capable of withstanding the environment to which they are exposed for the maximum period of time that exposure is expected.
(2) Tagout devices shall be constructed and printed so that exposure to weather conditions or wet and damp locations will not cause the tag to deteriorate or the message on the tag to become illegible.
(3) Tags shall not deteriorate when used in corrosive environments such as areas where acid and alkali chemicals are handled and stored.
(B) Standardized. Lockout and tagout devices shall be standardized within the facility in at least one of the following criteria: Color; shape; or size; and additionally, in the case of tagout devices, print and format shall be standardized. Open (c)(5)(ii)(b) 12 citations
(C) Substantial — Open (c)(5)(ii)(c) 14 citations
(1) Lockout devices. Lockout devices shall be substantial enough to prevent removal without the use of excessive force or unusual techniques, such as with the use of bolt cutters or other metal cutting tools.
(2) Tagout devices. Tagout devices, including and their means of attachment, shall be substantial enough to prevent inadvertent or accidental removal. Tagout device attachment means shall be of a non-reusable type, attachable by hand, self-locking, and non-releasable with a minimum unlocking strength of no less than 50 pounds and having the general design and basic characteristics of being at least equivalent to a one-piece, all-environment-tolerant nylon cable tie.
(D) Identifiable. Lockout devices and tagout devices shall indicate the identity of the employee applying the device(s). Open (c)(5)(ii)(d) 121 citations
(iii) Tagout devices shall warn against hazardous conditions if the machine or equipment is energized and shall include a legend such as the following: Do Not Start, Do Not Open, Do Not Close, Do Not Energize, Do Not Operate. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.147.
Injuries linked to this rule
7 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.147(c)(5).
At 9:00 a.m. on January 3, 2025, Employee #1 was spray painting a GEHL skid loader while kneeling on the floor beneath the equipment. During the task, the skid loader arm catastrophically failed, resulting in a rapid loss of hydraulic fluid. The failure caused the…
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 | 23 |
| 2024 | 132 |
| 2025 | 115 |
| 2026 | 80 |
Top states: MI (36), NY (28), WI (26), MD (22), NC (19)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WALMART DISTRIBUTION CENTER #7036 | SEALY, TX | $27,898 |
| SCHREIBER FOODS | CARTHAGE, MO | $18,000 |
| BURKE HANDLING SYSTEMS, INC. | FOREST, MS | $16,550 |
| UNITED RENTALS | MICKLETON, NJ | $16,550 |
| PATRICK INDUSTRIES, INC. | DECATUR, AL | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.147(c)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarification Regarding the Requirements of 29 CFR 1910.147 (2025-11-24)
- Use of LOTO device on equipment placed in "out of service" status not related to servicing or maintenance. (2006-10-11)
- Hazardous energy control lockout/tagout (LOTO) program documentation and certification requirements. (2005-05-10)
- LOTO: Use of heavy-duty nylon cable ties as lockout devices in lieu of chains and locks. (2004-12-07)
- Color is not the only prescribed factor for the standardization of LOTO devices. (2002-08-30)
- Use of verification tags for lockout. (2002-07-08)
- Guidance on approval requirments for general circuit breaker panel swich lockouts in General Industry. (2002-06-24)
- "Approval" of flexible corrugated plastic covers and generic circuit breaker panel switch lockouts. (2000-06-28)
- Identity of employee applying lockout and tagout devices. (1998-03-16)
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)(4)(ii) 1,131 citations
- 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A) 938 citations
- 1910.147(c)(6)(ii) 408 citations
- 1910.147(c)(7)(iv) 311 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Who provides lockout locks and tags?
The employer must provide locks, tags, chains, wedges, key blocks, adapter pins, self-locking fasteners or other hardware.
Can lockout locks be used for other things?
No. They must be the only devices used for controlling energy and shall not be used for other purposes.
How strong must a tag attachment be?
Non-reusable, attachable by hand, self-locking and non-releasable, with a minimum unlocking strength of no less than 50 pounds.
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.