Lockout / Tagout: Controlling Energized Circuits
29 CFR 1926.417 · 29 CFR 1910.147 · This talk in Spanish
Why it matters
Lockout/tagout was the fourth most cited OSHA standard in fiscal year 2025. A breaker someone flips back on can kill the person working on the circuit. Lockout tagout is how we make sure the circuit you are working on stays dead until you say otherwise. Nobody trusts a switch position or a coworker's word. We trust locks, tags, and our own meter.
Hazards
- ⚠ A circuit re-energized by someone who did not know work was in progress
- ⚠ Stored energy in capacitors, springs, or hydraulic systems after shutoff
- ⚠ Working on the wrong circuit because panels are mislabeled
- ⚠ Tags used alone where a physical lock was possible
- ⚠ Multiple trades on one panel with no coordination
Controls and safe practices
- ✓ De-energize, lock, and tag the disconnect before touching conductors or equipment.
- ✓ Each worker applies their own lock. One lock per person, no sharing.
- ✓ Test before touch: verify zero energy with a meter you tested on a known live source first.
- ✓ Treat mislabeled panels as live until traced and verified.
- ✓ Release stored energy: discharge capacitors, block springs, bleed pressure.
- ✓ Only the person who hung the lock removes it, after their work is done and the area is clear.
What the OSHA standard says
Exact words from the official text, with a link to each paragraph.
“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.”
“Lockout or tagout devices shall be affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees.”
“Prior to starting work on machines or equipment that have been locked out or tagged out, the authorized employee shall verify that isolation and deenergization of the machine or equipment have been accomplished.”
“Each lockout or tagout device shall be removed from each energy isolating device by the employee who applied the device.”
By the numbers
- OSHA listed control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout, 29 CFR 1910.147) as the fourth most cited standard in fiscal year 2025. (OSHA, Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards, Fiscal Year 2025)
Site check before the talk
Walk the site and tick each line. Each line comes from the text quoted above.
- ☐Tag every point where deenergized equipment or circuits could be turned back on. (29 CFR 1926.417(b))
- ☐Only authorized employees put locks or tags on energy isolating devices. (29 CFR 1910.147(d)(4)(i))
- ☐Before starting work, verify the equipment is isolated and deenergized. (29 CFR 1910.147(d)(6))
- ☐Only the person who put on a lock or tag removes it. (29 CFR 1910.147(e)(3))
Quotes checked word for word against the official eCFR text on October 5, 2026. This is a summary for a crew talk, not legal advice; the full official text governs. How we check
Crew discussion questions
- Which circuits or equipment are we opening today, and who is hanging locks?
- Where is our meter and when was it last proven on a live source?
- Are any other trades working on the same panels or systems?
- What stored energy is hiding in today’s equipment?
Applicable OSHA standards
29 CFR 1926.417, 29 CFR 1910.147
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