1910.147(f)(1)(ii): Clear Employees During Lockout Testing
When lockout or tagout devices must be temporarily removed to test or position a machine, employees must be removed from the machine or equipment area in accordance with paragraph (e)(2).
Key takeaways
- 1910.147(f)(1)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 73 times in the last 3 years, in 73 inspections, with $542,818 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: OH (11), WI (10), NE (6).
- Related part: 1910.147(f) Additional requirements (493 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.147(f)(1)(ii) 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
(ii) Remove employees from the machine or equipment area in accordance with paragraph (e)(2) of this section; 73 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.147.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.147(f)(1)(ii).
At 2:30 p.m. on October 8, 2024, Employee #1 and Coworker #1 were troubleshooting a malfunctioning tote dumper #2 at their workplace. While attempting repairs, Employee #1 stepped between the dumper and a steel column. At this point, tote dumper #2 began to operate in…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2025 | 18 |
| 2026 | 16 |
Top states: OH (11), WI (10), NE (6), PA (6), IL (6)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CASE FARMS PROCESSING, INC. | WINESBURG, OH | $16,550 |
| SAGE V FOODS, LLC | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $16,550 |
| AHRESTY WILMINGTON CORPORATION | WILMINGTON, OH | $16,550 |
| TFH PUBLICATIONS, INC. | JAMESBURG, NJ | $16,550 |
| FORD MOTOR COMPANY | SHARONVILLE, OH | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.147(f)(1)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.147(f)(1)(ii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.147(f) Additional requirements 493 citations
- 1910.147(f)(3) Group lockout or tagout 240 citations
- 1910.147(f)(3)(ii) 147 citations
- 1910.147(f)(1) Testing or positioning of machines, equipment or components thereof 140 citations
- 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D) 125 citations
- 1910.147(f)(2) Outside personnel (contractors, etc.) 96 citations
- 1910.147(f)(2)(i) 92 citations
- 1910.147(f)(3)(i) 91 citations
- 1910.147(f)(4) Shift or personnel changes 17 citations
- 1910.147(f)(1)(v) 14 citations
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
What must happen before testing or positioning equipment?
Employees must be removed from the machine or equipment area in accordance with paragraph (e)(2).
What does (e)(2) require?
Checking that all employees have been safely positioned or removed, and notifying affected employees that devices have been removed.
Is this one step of a sequence?
Yes. It is one step in the 1910.147(f)(1) sequence for testing or positioning machines.
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.