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OSHA Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR)
(a)
Scope, application and purpose - (a)(1)(i) This
standard covers the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in
which the unexpected energization or start up of the machines or
equipment, or release of stored energy could cause injury to employees. This
standard establishes minimum performance requirements for the control of such
hazardous energy. (a)(1)(ii) This
standard does not cover the following: (a)(1)(ii)(A) Construction,
agriculture and maritime employment; Installations under the exclusive control of electric
utilities for the purpose of power generation, transmission and distribution,
including related equipment for communication or metering; and Exposure to electrical hazards from work on, near, or with conductors or equipment in electric utilization installations, which is covered by Subpart S of this part; and ..1910.147(a)(1)(ii)(D) This standard applies to the control of energy during
servicing and/or maintenance of machines and equipment. Normal production operations are not covered by this standard
(See Subpart O of this Part). Servicing and/or maintenance which takes place
during normal production operations is covered by this standard only if: (a)(2)(ii)(A) An
employee is required to remove or bypass a guard or other safety device; or An employee is required to place any part of his or her body into an area on a machine or piece of equipment where work is actually performed upon the material being processed (point of operation) or where an associated danger zone exists during a machine operating cycle. Note: Exception to paragraph (a)(2)(ii): Minor tool
changes and adjustments, and other minor servicing activities, which take
place during normal production operations, are not covered by this standard
if they are routine, repetitive, and integral to the use of the equipment for
production, provided that the work is performed using alternative measures
which provide effective protection (See Subpart O of this Part). (a)(2)(iii) This standard does not apply to the following: ..1910.147(a)(2)(iii)(A) Work on cord and plug connected electric equipment for which
exposure to the hazards of unexpected energization or start up of the
equipment is controlled by the unplugging of the equipment from the energy
source and by the plug being under the exclusive control of the employee
performing the servicing or maintenance. Hot tap operations involving transmission and distribution
systems for substances such as gas, steam, water or petroleum products when
they are performed on pressurized pipelines, provided that the employer
demonstrates that- (a)(2)(iii)(B)(1)
continuity of service is essential; (a)(2)(iii)(B)(2)
shutdown of the system is impractical; and documented procedures are followed, and special equipment is
used which will provide proven effective protection for employees. This section requires employers to establish a program and
utilize procedures for affixing appropriate lockout devices or tagout devices
to energy isolating devices, and to otherwise disable machines or equipment
to prevent unexpected energization, start up or release of stored energy in
order to prevent injury to employees. When other standards in this part require the use of lockout
or tagout, they shall be used and supplemented by the procedural and training
requirements of this section. (b) Definitions applicable to this section. Affected employee. An employee whose job requires him/her to operate or use a machine or equipment on which servicing or maintenance is being performed under lockout or tagout, or whose job requires him/her to work in an area in which such servicing or maintenance is being performed. Authorized employee. A person who locks out or tags out machines or equipment in order to perform servicing or maintenance on that machine or equipment. An affected employee becomes an authorized employee when that employee's duties include performing servicing or maintenance covered under this section. Capable of being locked out. An energy isolating device is capable of being locked out if it has a hasp or other means of attachment to which, or through which, a lock can be affixed, or it has a locking mechanism built into it. Other energy isolating devices are capable of being locked out, if lockout can be achieved without the need to dismantle, rebuild, or replace the energy isolating device or permanently alter its energy control capability. Energized. Connected to an energy source or containing residual or stored energy. Energy isolating device. A mechanical device that physically prevents the transmission or release of energy, including but not limited to the following: A manually operated electrical circuit breaker; a disconnect switch; a manually operated switch by which the conductors of a circuit can be disconnected from all ungrounded supply conductors, and, in addition, no pole can be operated independently; a line valve; a block; and any similar device used to block or isolate energy. Push buttons, selector switches and other control circuit type devices are not energy isolating devices. Energy source. Any source of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other energy. Hot tap. A procedure used in the repair, maintenance and services activities which involves welding on a piece of equipment (pipelines, vessels or tanks) under pressure, in order to install connections or appurtenances. it is commonly used to replace or add sections of pipeline without the interruption of service for air, gas, water, steam, and petrochemical distribution systems. Lockout. The placement of a lockout device on an energy isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, ensuring that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled cannot be operated until the lockout device is removed. Lockout device. A device that utilizes a positive means such as a lock, either key or combination type, to hold an energy isolating device in the safe position and prevent the energizing of a machine or equipment. Included are blank flanges and bolted slip blinds. Normal production operations. The utilization of a machine or equipment to perform its intended production function. Servicing and/or maintenance. Workplace activities such as constructing, installing, setting up, adjusting, inspecting, modifying, and maintaining and/or servicing machines or equipment. These activities include lubrication, cleaning or unjamming of machines or equipment and making adjustments or tool changes, where the employee may be exposed to the unexpected energization or startup of the equipment or release of hazardous energy. Setting up. Any work performed to prepare a machine or equipment to perform its normal production operation. Tagout. The placement of a tagout device on an energy isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, to indicate that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed. Tagout device. A prominent warning device, such as a tag and a means of attachment, which can be securely fastened to an energy isolating device in accordance with an established procedure, to indicate that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed. Energy control program. The employer shall establish a
program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and
periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performs any
servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected
energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury,
the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and
rendered inoperative. If an energy isolating device is not capable of being locked
out, the employer's energy control program under paragraph (c)(1) of this
section shall utilize a tagout system. If an energy isolating device is capable of being locked out,
the employer's energy control program under paragraph (c)(1) of this section
shall utilize lockout, unless the employer can demonstrate that the
utilization of a tagout system will provide full employee protection as set
forth in paragraph (c)(3) of this section. After January 2, 1990, whenever replacement or major repair,
renovation or modification of a machine or equipment is performed, and
whenever new machines or equipment are installed, energy isolating devices
for such machine or equipment shall be designed to accept a lockout device. (c)(3) Full
employee protection. When a tagout device is used on an energy isolating device which is capable of being locked out, the tagout device shall be attached at the same location that the lockout device would have been attached, and the employer shall demonstrate that the tagout program will provide a level of safety equivalent to that obtained by using a lockout program. ..1910.147(c)(3)(ii) In demonstrating that a level of safety is achieved in the
tagout program which is equivalent to the level of safety obtained by using a
lockout program, the employer shall demonstrate full compliance with all
tagout-related provisions of this standard together with such additional
elements as are necessary to provide the equivalent safety available from the
use of a lockout device. Additional means to be considered as part of the
demonstration of full employee protection shall include the implementation of
additional safety measures such as the removal of an isolating circuit
element, blocking of a controlling switch, opening of an extra disconnecting
device, or the removal of a valve handle to reduce the likelihood of
inadvertent energization. (c)(4)Energy control procedure. Procedures shall be developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees are engaged in the activities covered by this section. Note: Exception: The employer need not document the
required procedure for a particular machine or equipment, when all of the
following elements exist: (1) The machine or equipment has no potential for
stored or residual energy or reaccumulation of stored energy after shut down
which could endanger employees; (2) the machine or equipment has a single
energy source which can be readily identified and isolated; (3) the isolation
and locking out of that energy source will completely deenergize and
deactivate the machine or equipment; (4) the machine or equipment is isolated
from that energy source and locked out during servicing or maintenance; (5) a
single lockout device will achieve a locker-out condition; (6) the lockout
device is under the exclusive control of the authorized employee performing
the servicing or maintenance; (7) the servicing or maintenance does not
create hazards for other employees; and (8) the employer, in utilizing this
exception, has had no accidents involving the unexpected activation or
reenergization of the machine or equipment during servicing or maintenance. The procedures shall clearly and specifically outline the
scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the
control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including,
but not limited to, the following: (c)(4)(ii)(A) A
specific statement of the intended use of the procedure; Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating,
blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy; Specific procedural steps for the placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices or tagout devices and the responsibility for them; and ..1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(D) Specific requirements for testing a machine or equipment to
determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices,
and other energy control measures. (c)(5) Protective
materials and hardware. Locks, tags, chains, wedges, key blocks, adapter pins,
self-locking fasteners, or other hardware shall be provided by the employer
for isolating, securing or blocking of machines or equipment from energy
sources. Lockout devices and tagout devices shall be singularly
identified; shall be the only devices(s) used for controlling energy; shall
not be used for other purposes; and shall meet the following requirements: Lockout and tagout devices shall be capable of withstanding
the environment to which they are exposed for the maximum period of time that
exposure is expected. Tagout devices shall be constructed and printed so that
exposure to weather conditions or wet and damp locations will not cause the
tag to deteriorate or the message on the tag to become illegible. Tags shall not deteriorate when used in corrosive environments such as areas where acid and alkali chemicals are handled and stored. ..1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(B) Standardized. Lockout and tagout devices shall be
standardized within the facility in at least one of the following criteria:
Color; shape; or size; and additionally, in the case of tagout devices, print
and format shall be standardized. Lockout devices. Lockout devices shall be substantial
enough to prevent removal without the use of excessive force or unusual
techniques, such as with the use of bolt cutters or other metal cutting
tools. Tagout devices. Tagout devices, including their means
of attachment, shall be substantial enough to prevent inadvertent or
accidental removal. Tagout device attachment means shall be of a non-reusable
type, attachable by hand, self-locking, and non-releasable with a minimum
unlocking strength of no less than 50 pounds and having the general design
and basic characteristics of being at least equivalent to a one-piece, all
environment-tolerant nylon cable tie. Identifiable. Lockout devices and tagout devices shall
indicate the identity of the employee applying the device(s). Tagout devices shall warn against hazardous conditions if the machine or equipment is energized and shall include a legend such as the following: Do Not Start. Do Not Open. Do Not Close. Do Not Energize. Do Not Operate. ..1910.147(c)(6) The employer shall conduct a periodic inspection of the
energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and
the requirements of this standard are being followed. The periodic inspection shall be performed by an authorized
employee other than the ones(s) utilizing the energy control procedure being
inspected. The periodic inspection shall be conducted to correct any
deviations or inadequacies identified. Where lockout is used for energy control, the periodic
inspection shall include a review, between the inspector and each authorized
employee, of that employee's responsibilities under the energy control
procedure being inspected. Where tagout is used for energy control, the periodic inspection shall include a review, between the inspector and each authorized and affected employee, of that employee's responsibilities under the energy control procedure being inspected, and the elements set forth in paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of this section. ..1910.147(c)(6)(ii) The employer shall certify that the periodic inspections have
been performed. The certification shall identify the machine or equipment on
which the energy control procedure was being utilized, the date of the
inspection, the employees included in the inspection, and the person
performing the inspection. (c)(7)Training and communication. The employer shall provide training to ensure that the
purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by
employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe
application, usage, and removal of the energy controls are acquired by
employees. The training shall include the following: Each authorized employee shall receive training in the
recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of
the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary
for energy isolation and control. Each affected employee shall be instructed in the purpose and
use of the energy control procedure. All other employees whose work operations are or may be in an
area where energy control procedures may be utilized, shall be instructed
about the procedure, and about the prohibition relating to attempts to
restart or reenergize machines or equipment which are locked out or tagged
out. When tagout systems are used, employees shall also be trained in the following limitations of tags: ..1910.147(c)(7)(ii)(A) Tags are essentially warning devices affixed to energy
isolating devices, and do not provide the physical restraint on those devices
that is provided by a lock. When a tag is attached to an energy isolating means, it is not
to be removed without authorization of the authorized person responsible for
it, and it is never to be bypassed, ignored, or otherwise defeated. Tags must be legible and understandable by all authorized
employees, affected employees, and all other employees whose work operations
are or may be in the area, in order to be effective. Tags and their means of attachment must be made of materials
which will withstand the environmental conditions encountered in the
workplace. Tags may evoke a false sense of security, and their meaning
needs to be understood as part of the overall energy control program. Tags must be securely attached to energy isolating devices so
that they cannot be inadvertently or accidentally detached during use. (c)(7)(iii)Employee retraining. ..1910.147(c)(7)(iii)(A) Retraining shall be provided for all authorized and affected
employees whenever there is a change in their job assignments, a change in
machines, equipment or processes that present a new hazard, or when there is
a change in the energy control procedures. Additional retraining shall also be conducted whenever a
periodic inspection under paragraph (c)(6) of this section reveals, or
whenever the employer has reason to believe that there are deviations from or
inadequacies in the employee's knowledge or use of the energy control
procedures. The retraining shall reestablish employee proficiency and
introduce new or revised control methods and procedures, as necessary. The employer shall certify that employee training has been
accomplished and is being kept up to date. The certification shall contain
each employee's name and dates of training. Energy isolation. Lockout or tagout shall be performed
only by the authorized employees who are performing the servicing or
maintenance. Notification of employees. Affected employees shall be notified by the employer or authorized employee of the application and removal of lockout devices or tagout devices. Notification shall be given before the controls are applied, and after they are removed from the machine or equipment. Application of control. The established procedures for
the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) shall
cover the following elements and actions and shall be done in the following
sequence: Preparation for shutdown. Before an authorized or
affected employee turns off a machine or equipment, the authorized employee
shall have knowledge of the type and magnitude of the energy, the hazards of
the energy to be controlled, and the method or means to control the energy. Machine or equipment shutdown. The machine or
equipment shall be turned off or shut down using the procedures established
for the machine or equipment. An orderly shutdown must be utilized to avoid
any additional or increased hazard(s) to employees as a result of the
equipment stoppage. Machine or equipment isolation. All energy isolating
devices that are needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment
shall be physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the
machine or equipment from the energy source(s). (d)(4)Lockout or tagout device application. Lockout or tagout devices shall be affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees. ..1910.147(d)(4)(ii) Lockout devices, where used, shall be affixed in a manner to
that will hold the energy isolating devices in a "safe" or
"off" position. Tagout devices, where used, shall be affixed in such a manner
as will clearly indicate that the operation or movement of energy isolating
devices from the "safe" or "off" position is prohibited. Where tagout devices are used with energy isolating devices
designed with the capability of being locked, the tag attachment shall be
fastened at the same point at which the lock would have been attached. Where a tag cannot be affixed directly to the energy
isolating device, the tag shall be located as close as safely possible to the
device, in a position that will be immediately obvious to anyone attempting
to operate the device. Following the application of lockout or tagout devices to energy isolating devices, all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy shall be relieved, disconnected, restrained, and otherwise rendered safe. ..1910.147(d)(5)(ii) If there is a possibility of reaccumulation of stored energy
to a hazardous level, verification of isolation shall be continued until the
servicing or maintenance is completed, or until the possibility of such
accumulation no longer exists. Verification of isolation. 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. Release from lockout or tagout. Before lockout or
tagout devices are removed and energy is restored to the machine or
equipment, procedures shall be followed and actions taken by the authorized
employee(s) to ensure the following: The machine or equipment. The work area shall be
inspected to ensure that nonessential items have been removed and to ensure
that machine or equipment components are operationally intact. The work area shall be checked to ensure that all employees
have been safely positioned or removed. After lockout or tagout devices have been removed and before
a machine or equipment is started, affected employees shall be notified that
the lockout or tagout device(s) have been removed. Lockout or tagout devices removal. Each lockout or
tagout device shall be removed from each energy isolating device by the
employee who applied the device. Exception to paragraph (e)(3): When
the authorized employee who applied the lockout or tagout device is not
available to remove it, that device may be removed under the direction of the
employer, provided that specific procedures and training for such removal
have been developed, documented and incorporated into the employer's energy
control program. The employer shall demonstrate that the specific procedure
provides equivalent safety to the removal of the device by the authorized
employee who applied it. The specific procedure shall include at least the
following elements: Verification by the employer that the authorized employee who
applied the device is not at the facility: Making all reasonable efforts to contact the authorized
employee to inform him/her that his/her lockout or tagout device has been
removed; and Ensuring that the authorized employee has this knowledge before he/she resumes work at that facility. Additional requirements.(f)(1) Testing or positioning of machines, equipment or
components thereof. In situations in which lockout or tagout devices must
be temporarily removed from the energy isolating device and the machine or
equipment energized to test or position the machine, equipment or component
thereof, the following sequence of actions shall be followed: Clear the machine or equipment of tools and materials in
accordance with paragraph (e)(1) of this section; Remove employees from the machine or equipment area in
accordance with paragraph (e)(2) of this section; (f)(1)(iii) Remove
the lockout or tagout devices as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this
section; (f)(1)(iv) Energize
and proceed with testing or positioning; Deenergize all systems and reapply energy control measures in
accordance with paragraph (d) of this section to continue the servicing
and/or maintenance. (f)(2) Outside
personnel (contractors, etc.). Whenever outside servicing personnel are to be engaged in activities covered by the scope and application of this standard, the on-site employer and the outside employer shall inform each other of their respective lockout or tagout procedures. ..1910.147(f)(2)(ii) The on-site employer shall ensure that his/her employees
understand and comply with the restrictions and prohibitions of the outside
employer's energy control program. (f)(3)Group lockout or tagout. When servicing and/or maintenance is performed by a crew,
craft, department or other group, they shall utilize a procedure which
affords the employees a level of protection equivalent to that provided by
the implementation of a personal lockout or tagout device. Group lockout or tagout devices shall be used in accordance
with the procedures required by paragraph (c)(4) of this section including,
but not necessarily limited to, the following specific requirements: Primary responsibility is vested in an authorized employee
for a set number of employees working under the protection of a group lockout
or tagout device (such as an operations lock); Provision for the authorized employee to ascertain the
exposure status of individual group members with regard to the lockout or
tagout of the machine or equipment and When more than one crew, craft, department, etc. is involved, assignment of overall job-associated lockout or tagout control responsibility to an authorized employee designated to coordinate affected work forces and ensure continuity of protection; and ..1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D) Each authorized employee shall affix a personal lockout or
tagout device to the group lockout device, group lockbox, or comparable
mechanism when he or she begins work, and shall remove those devices when he
or she stops working on the machine or equipment being serviced or maintained. Shift or personnel changes. Specific procedures shall be utilized during shift or personnel changes to ensure the continuity of lockout or tagout protection, including provision for the orderly transfer of lockout or tagout device protection between off-going and oncoming employees, to minimize exposure to hazards from the unexpected energization or start-up of the machine or equipment, or the release of stored energy. Note: The following appendix to §1910.147 services as a non-mandatory guideline to assist employers and employees in complying with the requirements of this section, as well as to provide other helpful information. Nothing in the appendix adds to or detracts from any of the requirements of this section. [54 FR 36687, Sept. 1, 1989, as amended at 54 FR 42498, Oct. 17, 1989; 55 FR 38685, 38686, Sept. 20, 1990; 61 FR 5507, Feb. 13, 1996] |
