Lockout/Tagout Program
Energy control program for service/maintenance of equipment. Authorized and affected employee procedures.
What this document is
This document is a written Lockout/Tagout Program that establishes energy control procedures for servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment. It defines the steps authorized employees must follow to isolate hazardous energy sources and the responsibilities of affected employees.
The regulation that requires it
The federal standard 29 CFR 1910.147 and the California standard T8 CCR §3314 require employers to establish a written energy control program. 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4) states that "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." T8 CCR §3314 contains parallel requirements under Cal/OSHA. The rule mandates training, periodic inspections, and specific lockout or tagout device application to prevent unexpected energization.
Who needs it
General industry employers and contractors who perform service or maintenance on equipment that can release hazardous energy must have this program. It applies to trades such as electrical, mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, and manufacturing. California contractors are specifically subject to T8 CCR §3314 in addition to the federal 29 CFR 1910.147 requirements.
What happens without it
OSHA and Cal/OSHA inspectors routinely review energy control programs during facility and jobsite inspections. Violations classified as Serious can result in penalties in the current OSHA penalty range, while Willful violations carry significantly higher penalties. Multi-employer worksites can lead to citations against both the controlling contractor and subcontractors. The absence of a written program increases the likelihood of enforcement action following an incident or routine inspection.
What's included in the generated document
- Purpose and scope
- Definitions of authorized and affected employees
- Energy control procedures
- Training and communication requirements
- Periodic inspection protocol
How to implement it at your company
- Talk to Guy first. Describe your operation, trade, and location — Guy draws from 300,000+ verified OSHA and state regulatory citations to build a compliance plan specific to your company. Your answers shape every section of the document you receive. Takes about 10 minutes.
- Review the document and customize the energy control procedures for each piece of equipment at your jobsites.
- Designate and train your authorized employees on the specific lockout/tagout steps.
- Provide awareness training to all affected employees who work near the equipment.
- Conduct and document annual periodic inspections of the procedures.
- Update the written program whenever new equipment or processes are introduced.
View state-specific requirements
How this document changes by state — citations, enforcing agency, and any overrides beyond the federal baseline.