Conducting a Periodic Inspection for Each Procedure in a Hazardous Energy Control (Lockout/Tagout) Program

Employers are required by 29 CFR § 1910.147(c)(6) to conduct a periodic inspection of written hazardous energy control (lockout/tagout) procedures. The inspection must be performed at least once annually [per 12-month interval, as stated in 1910.147(c)(6)(i)] because of the significant risks associated with inadequate energy control procedures or the failure to properly implement them. In accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard, NIOSH recommends best practices for conducting an annual periodic inspection of each energy control procedure, as part of an energy control (lockout/tagout) program. Legal requirements are established in 29 CFR § 1910.147 and their enforcement is described in the OSHA document The Control of Hazardous Energy—Enforcement Policy and Inspection Procedures. OSHA Instruction Directive No. CPL 02‒00‒147 [OSHA 2008]. However, compliance with the regulations is based solely on the CFR. No wording in this document, national standards, the directive or other document supersedes the requirements in the CFR.

Conducting a Periodic Inspection for Each Procedure in a Hazardous Energy Control (Lockout/Tagout) Program pdf icon[PDF – 455 KB]

Suggested Citation

NIOSH [2021]. Conducting a periodic inspection for each procedure in a hazardous energy control (lockout/tagout) program. By Hughes S, Funke J, Afanuh S. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2022-106, https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2022106external icon.