The Control of Hazardous Energy — commonly known as Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) — is one of OSHA's most important and most-cited standards. 29 CFR 1910.147 prevents the unexpected startup of machinery and equipment during servicing and maintenance, which can cause crushing injuries, amputations, and fatalities. LOTO violations consistently appear in OSHA's top 10 most-cited list.
Each year, failure to properly control hazardous energy results in approximately 50,000 injuries and 120 deaths in American workplaces. The standard requires employers to develop machine-specific energy control procedures, train three categories of employees (authorized, affected, and other), and conduct annual inspections of their LOTO program. These aren't suggestions — they're enforceable legal requirements.
Understanding 29 CFR 1910.147 is critical for any facility with powered machinery, electrical systems, hydraulic equipment, or compressed gas systems. This guide covers every major provision, explains what OSHA inspectors evaluate during a LOTO-focused inspection, and provides a step-by-step compliance approach. Use our free LOTO Procedure Generator to create compliant, machine-specific procedures in minutes.
When an OSHA compliance officer arrives at your facility to evaluate 29 CFR 1910.147 compliance, they follow a systematic approach. The inspection typically begins with an opening conference where the officer explains the scope and requests your written safety programs. For Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), the officer will ask to see your written program, training records with employee signatures, and any inspection documentation. They will then conduct a physical walkthrough, interviewing workers to verify they understand the hazards and protective measures. Workers may be asked questions like "What hazards are present in this area?" and "What training did you receive?" The officer will compare what they observe against the specific requirements of 29 CFR 1910.147. Any discrepancy between the standard's requirements and actual conditions becomes a potential citation. Documentation is your strongest defense — if it's not written down, it didn't happen in OSHA's eyes.
A manufacturing plant in Michigan was cited after a maintenance worker suffered a crushing injury when a conveyor restarted during cleaning. The investigation revealed the company had no machine-specific LOTO procedures, the worker had not been trained on energy control, and no lockout device was applied. OSHA issued willful citations under 29 CFR 1910.147 totaling $156,624. The company also faced workers' compensation costs exceeding $400,000.
$16,550
per violation
$165,514
per violation
29 CFR 1910.147 is currently ranked #7 on OSHA's list of most frequently cited standards, with approximately 1,680 citations issued annually. This high citation volume means OSHA compliance officers are specifically trained to look for Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) violations during any inspection — whether programmed or complaint-driven. Penalties are adjusted annually for inflation, and the 2026 maximum of $16,550 per serious violation is a per-instance penalty, meaning multiple workers exposed to the same hazard can result in separate citations. Instance-by-instance penalties can quickly escalate a single inspection into a six-figure penalty proposal.
Compliance with 29 CFR 1910.147 isn't just about avoiding penalties — though penalties can reach $16,550 per serious violation in 2026. The real cost of non-compliance includes workers' compensation claims (averaging $42,000 per lost-time injury), increased insurance premiums (EMR increases of 10-30% after serious incidents), project delays, potential debarment from government contracts, and reputational damage. Companies with strong safety programs consistently outperform their peers on profitability — OSHA's Safety Pays calculator shows that preventing a single serious injury saves an average employer $50,000 to $150,000 in direct and indirect costs. Investing in Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) compliance is one of the highest-ROI business decisions a company can make.
29 CFR 1910.147 is OSHA's Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) standard for general industry. Prevents unexpected energization of machines during servicing and maintenance through energy isolation, lockout/tagout devices, and employee training..
Serious violations of 29 CFR 1910.147 carry penalties up to $16,550 per violation. Willful or repeat violations can reach $165,514 per violation. Multiple instances can be cited separately.
Develop machine-specific energy control procedures. Train authorized, affected, and other employees. Use standardized lockout/tagout devices.
29 CFR 1910.147 applies to general industry. Construction has specific requirements under 29 CFR 1926, though 29 CFR 1910.147 may be incorporated by reference.
Start with a gap assessment against 29 CFR 1910.147 requirements. Implement required written programs, training, and engineering controls. Document everything — OSHA inspectors look for written evidence of compliance. Use HazComFast's free compliance tools to generate compliant documentation.
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