1926.417: Lockout and Tagging of Circuits
Employers must tag controls that will be deactivated during work on energized or deenergized equipment or circuits. Deenergized equipment or circuits must be made inoperative and tagged at all points where they can be energized, and tags must plainly identify the equipment or circuits being worked on.
Key takeaways
- 1926.417 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart K).
- OSHA cited it 62 times in the last 3 years, in 58 inspections, with $203,889 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: FL (9), OR (6), TX (5).
- Most-cited part: 1926.417(b) Equipment and circuits (37 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.417, "Lockout and tagging of circuits", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart K). It has 3 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1926.417 (3 paragraphs)
(a) Controls. Controls that are to be deactivated during the course of work on energized or deenergized equipment or circuits shall be tagged. Open (a) 17 citations
(b) Equipment and circuits. Equipment or circuits that are deenergized shall be rendered inoperative and shall have tags attached at all points where such equipment or circuits can be energized. Open (b) 37 citations
(c) Tags. Tags shall be placed to identify plainly the equipment or circuits being worked on. 8 citations
[44 FR 8577, Feb. 9, 1979; 44 FR 20940, Apr. 6, 1979, as amended at 55 FR 42328, Oct. 18, 1990; 58 FR 35181, June 30, 1993; 61 FR 9251, Mar. 7, 1996; 61 FR 41739, Aug. 12, 1996]]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Export the list: 58 inspections cited 1926.417 in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.417.
At 3:15 p.m. on December 13, 2024, an employee working for an electrical contractor was working inside a commercial building installing wiring for lighting fixtures. The employee was working from a ladder when he fell and grabbed energized electrical wires trying to stop his fall.…
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 | 3 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 23 |
Top states: FL (9), OR (6), TX (5), MD (5), KY (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| EDDY COUNTY ROAD MAINTENANCE FACILITY | CARLSBAD, NM | $16,554 |
| VEOLIA SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS USA EAST, INC. | ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL | $14,518 |
| HAMPTON ROADS CONNECTOR PARTNERS | NORFOLK, VA | $11,405 |
| THE LEVY COMPANY | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $11,000 |
| ARNOLD ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC. | PINE BLUFF, AR | $10,641 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.417.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.417(b) Equipment and circuits 37 citations
- 1926.417(a) Controls 17 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Where must tags be placed on deenergized circuits?
At all points where the equipment or circuits can be energized.
Must deactivated controls be tagged?
Yes. Controls to be deactivated during work on energized or deenergized equipment or circuits shall be tagged.
What must the tag show?
Tags must plainly identify the equipment or circuits being worked on.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.417 (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 2026-11-06
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.