OSHA 3120 Control Of Hazardous Energy
(Lockout/Tagout)
Control Of Hazardous
Energy (Lockout/Tagout)
U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
OSHA 3120 1997 (Revised)
This informational booklet is intended to provide a
generic, non-exhausive overview of a particular standards-related
topic. This publication does not itself alter or determine
compliance responsibilities, which are set forth in OSHA standards
themselves and the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Moreover, because interpretations and inforcement policy may change
over time, for additional guidance on OSHA compliance requirements,
the reader should consult current administrative interpretations and
decisions by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
and the courts.
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and may be reproduced, fully or partially, without permission of the
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individuals upon request.
Voice phone: (202) 219-8615; Telecommunications Device for the
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Control of Hazardous
Energy (Lockout/tagout)
U.S. Department of Labor Alexis M. Herman,
Secretary
Occupational Safety and Health Administration Gregory R.
Watchman, Acting Assistant Secretary
OSHA 3120 1997 (Revised)
Contents
Introduction
Scope
and Application
Normal
Production Operations Servicing and/or Maintenance
Operations Minor Servicing Tasks
Provisions
of the Standard Energy Control Program Energy
Control Procedure Energy-Isolating Devices Requirements for
Lockout/Tagout Devices Employee Training Periodic
Inspections Application of Controls and Lockout/Tagout
Devices Removal of Locks and Tags Additional Safety
Requirements
Other
OSHA Standards and Issues Hazard
Communication Recordkeeping Access to Employee Exposure and
Medical Records
Other
Sources of OSHA Assistance Safety and Health
Program Management Guidelines State Programs Onsite
Consultation Services Voluntary Protection Programs
(VPP) Training and Education Electronic
Information Emergencies
Glossary
OSHA
Related Publications
States
with Approved Plans
Consultation
Project Directory
OSHA
Area Offices
OSHA
Regional Offices
Introduction
On September 1, 1989, OSHA issued a final rule on the
Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) of Title 29 of
the Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR) Part 1910.147. This
standard, which went into effect on January 2, 1990, helps safeguard
employees from the unexpected startup of machines or equipment or
release of hazardous energy while they are performing servicing or
maintenance. The standard identifies the practices and procedures
necessary to shut down and lock out or tag out machines and
equipment, requires that employees receive training in their role in
the lockout/tagout program, and mandates that periodic inspections
be conducted to maintain or enhance the energy control program.
In the early 1970's, OSHA adopted various lockout-related
provisions of the then existing national consensus standards and
Federal standards that were developed for specific types of
equipment or industries. When the existing standards specify
lockout, the new rule supplements these existing standards(1) by requiring the development and utilization of
written procedures, the training of employees, and periodic
inspections of the use of the procedures.
This rule requires that, in general, before service or
maintenance is performed on machines or equipment, the machines or
equipment must be turned off and disconnected from the energy
source, and the energy-isolating device must be either locked or
tagged out.
OSHA has determined that lockout is a more reliable means of
deenergizing equipment than tagout and that it should always be the
preferred method used by employees. The Agency believes that, except
for limited situations, the use of lockout devices will provide a
more secure and more effective means of protecting employees from
the unexpected release of hazardous energy or startup of machines
and equipment.
Approximately 39 million workers are protected by this rule. (The
3 million workers who actually service equipment -- i.e., craft
workers, machine operators, and laborers -- face the greatest risk.)
OSHA estimates that compliance with the standard prevents about 122
fatalities, 28,400 lost workday injuries, and 31,900 non-lost
workday injuries each year.
OSHA estimates that adherence to the requirements of this
standard can eliminate nearly 2 percent of all workplace deaths in
establishments affected by this rule and can have a significant
impact on worker safety and health in the U.S.
Employers and employees in the 25 states that operate
OSHA-approved workplace safety and health plans should check with
their state agency. Their state may be enforcing standards and other
procedures that, while "at least as effective as" federal standards,
are not always identical to the federal requirements. See
page 19 for more information on state plans.
Scope and
Application
The lockout/tagout standard applies to general industry
employment and covers the servicing and maintenance of machines and
equipment in which the unexpected startup or the release of stored
energy could cause injury to employees. The standard applies to any
source of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or
other energy, but does not cover electrical hazards. Subpart S of 29
CFR Part 1910 covers electrical hazards, and 29 CFR Part 1910.333
contains specific lockout/tagout provisions for electrical hazards.
(If employees are performing service or maintenance tasks that do
not expose them to the unexpected startup of machines or equipment,
energization, or release of hazardous energy, the standard does not
apply.)
The standard establishes minimum performance requirements for the
control of hazardous energy.
The standard does not apply in the following situations:
- While servicing or maintaining cord and plug
connected electrical equipment, provided that the equipment is
unplugged from the energy source; and the plug remains under the
exclusive control of the employee performing the servicing and/or
maintenance; and
- During hot tap operations that involve transmission and
distribution systems for gas, steam, water, or petroleum products
when they are performed on pressurized pipelines provided that
continuity of service is essential, shutdown of the system is
impractical, and employees are provided with alternative
protection that is equally effective.
Normal Production
Operations
OSHA recognizes that machines and equipment present many
hazardous situations during normal production opertions -- i.e.,
whenever machines and equipment are used to perform their usual
production function. These production hazards are covered by rules
in other General Industry Standards, such as the requirements in
Subpart O of Part 1910 for general machine guarding and guarding
power transmission apparatus (29 CFR Part 1910.212 and 1910.219). In
certain circumstances, however, some servicing or maintenance
hazards encountered during normal production operations may be
covered by the lockout/tagout rule. The following pargraphs
illustrate some of these instances.
Servicing and/or Maintenance
Operations
If a servicing activity -- such as lubricating, cleaning, or
unjamming the production equipment -- takes place during
production, the employee performing the servicing may be subjected
to hazards that are not encountered as part of the production
operation itself. Workers engaged in these operations are covered by
lockout/tagout when any of the following conditions occur:
- The employee must either remove or bypass machine guards or
other safety devices, resulting in exposure to hazards at the
point of operation;
- The employee is required to place any part of his or her body
in contact with the point of operation of the operational machine
or piece of equipment; or
- The employee is required to place any part of his or her body
into a danger zone associated with a machine operating
cycle.
In the above situations, the equipment must be deenergized and
locks or tags must be applied to the energy-isolation devices.
In addition, when other servicing tasks occur -- such as setting
up equipment, and/or making significant adjustments to machines --
employees performing such tasks are required to lock out or tag out
if they can be injured by unexpected energization or startup of the
equipment.
OSHA also recognizes that some servicing operations must be
performed with the power on. Making many types of fine adjustments,
such as centering the belt on conveyors, is one example. Certain
aspects of troubleshooting, such as identifying the source of the
problem as well as checking to ensure that it has been corrected, is
another. OSHA requires the employer to provide effective protection
when employees perform such operations. Although, in these cases, a
power-on condition is essential either to accomplish the partitular
type of servicing or to verify that it was performed properly,
lockout or tagout procedures are required when other service or
maintenance occurs and power is not required.
Minor Servicing Tasks
Employees performing minor tool changes and adjustments and/or
other minor servicing activities that are routine, repetitive,
and integral to the use of the production equipment and that
occur during normal production operations are not covered by the
lockout/tagout standard, provided the work is performed using
alternative measures that provide effective protection.
Provision
of the Standard
The standard requires employers to establish procedures for
isolating machines or equipment from their source of energy and
affixing appropriate locks or tags to energy-isolating devices to
prevent any unexpected energization, startup, or release of stored
energy that could injure workers. When tags are used on
energy-isolating devices NOT capable of being locked out, the
employer must provide additional means to assure a level of
protection equivalent to that of locks. The standard also requires
the training of employees, and periodic inspections of the
procedures to maintain or improve their effectiveness.
Energy Control Program
The lockout/tagout rule requires that the employer establish an
energy control program that includes (1) documented energy control
procedures, (2) an employee training program, and (3) periodic
inspections of the use of the procedures. The standard requires
employers to establish a program to ensure that machines and
equipment are isolated and inoperative before any employee performs
servicing or maintenance when the unexpected energization, start up,
or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury.
The purpose of the energy control program is to ensure that,
whenever the possibility of unexpected machine or equipment startup
or energization exists or when the unexpected release of stored
energy could occur and cause injury during servicing and
maintenance, the equipment is isolated from its energy source(s) and
rendered inoperative prior to servicing or maintenance.
Employers have the flexibility to develop programs and procedures
that meet the needs of their particular workplace and the particular
types of machines and equipment being maintained or serviced.
Energy Control
Procedure
This standard requires that energy control procedures be
developed, documented, and used to control potentially hazardous
energy whenever workers perform activities covered by the standard.
The written procedures must identify the information that the
authorized(2) employees must know to control hazardous energy
during servicing or maintenance. If this information is the same for
various machines or equipment or if other means of logical grouping
exists, then a single energy control procedure may be sufficient. If
there are other conditions -- such as multiple energy sources,
different connecting means, or a particular sequence that must be
followed to shut down the machine or equipment -- then the employer
must develop separate energy control procedures to protect
employees.
The energy control procedures must outline the scope, purpose,
authorization, rules, and techniques that will be used to control
hazardous energy sources as well as the means that will be used to
enforce compliance. At a minimum, they should include, but not be
limited to, the following elements:
- A statement on how the procedures will be used;
- The procedural steps needed to shut down, isolate, block, and
secure machines or equipment;
- The steps designating the safe placement, removal, and
transfer of lockout/tagout devices and who has the responsibility
for them;
- The specific requirements for testing machines or equipment to
determine and verify the effectiveness of locks, tags, and other
energy control measures; and
- The employer or an authorized employee must notify
affected employees before lockout or tagout devices are
applied and after they are removed from the machine or
equipment.
The procedures must include the following steps: (1) preparing
for shutdown, (2) shutting down the machine or equipment, (3)
isolating the machine or equipment from the energy source(s), (4)
applying the lockout or tagout device(s) to the energy-isolating
device(s), (5) safely releasing all potentially hazardous stored or
residual energy, and (6) verifying the isolation of the machine or
equipment prior to the start of servicing or maintenance work.
In addition, before lockout or tagout devices are removed and
energy is restored to the machines or equipment, certain steps must
be taken to reenergize equipment after servicing is completed,
including: (1) ensuring that machines or equipment components are
operationally intact; (2) ensuring that all employees are safely
positioned or removed from equipment; (3) ensuring that lockout or
tagout devices are removed from each energy-isolating device by the
employee who applied the device. (See sections 6 (e) and 6 (f) of 29
CFR Part 1910.147 for specific requirements of the standard.)
Energy-Isolating
Devices
The employer's primary tool for providing protection under the
standard is the energy-isolating device, which is the mechanism that
prevents the transmission or release of energy and to which locks or
tags are attached. (See
Glossary for a more complete definition.) This device
guards against accidental startup or the unexpected reenergization
in machines or equipment during servicing or maintenance. There are
two types of energy-isolating devices: those capable of being locked
and those that are not. The standard differentiates between the
existence of these two conditions and the use of tagout when either
condition exists.
When the energy-isolating device cannot be locked out, the
employer must use tagout. Of course, the employer may choose to
modify or replace the device to make it capable of being locked-out.
When using tagout, the employer must comply with all tagout-related
provisions of the standard and, in addition to the normal training
required for all employees, must train his or her employees in the
following limitations of tags:
- Tags are essentially warning devices affixed to
energy-isolating devices and do not provide the physical restraint
of a lock.
- When a tag is attached to an isolating means, it is not to be
removed except by the person who applied it, and it is never to be
bypassed, ignored, or otherwise defeated.
- Tags must be legible and understandable by all employees.
- Tags and their means of attachment must be made of materials
that will withstand the environmental conditions encountered in
the workplace.
- Tags may evoke a false sense of security. They are only one
part of an overall energy control program.
- Tags must be securely attached to the energy-isolating devices
so that they cannot be detached accidentlly during use.
If the energy-isolating device is lockable, the employer must use
locks unless he or she can demonstrate that the use of tags would
provide protection at least as effective as locks and would
assure "full employee protection."
Full employee protection includes complying with all
tagout-related provisions plus implementing additional safety
measures that can provide the level of safety equivalent to that
obtained by using lockout. This might include removing and isolating
a circuit element, blocking a controlling switch, opening an extra
disconnecting device, or removing a valve handle to reduce the
potential for any inadvertent energization while tags are attached.
Although OSHA acknowledges the existence of energy-isolating
devices that cannot be locked out, the standard clearly states that
whenever major replacement, repair, renovation or modification of
machines or equipment is performed and whenever new machines or
equipment are installed, the employer must ensure that the
energy-isolating devices for such machines or equipment are
lockable. Such modifications and/or new purchases are most
effectively and efficiently made as part of the normal equipment
replacement cycle. All newly purchased equipment must be lockable.
Requirements for Lockout/Tagout
Devices
When attached to an energy-isolating device, both lockout and
tagout devices used in accordance with the requirements of the
standard help protect employees from hazardous energy. A lockout
device provides protection by preventing the machine or equipment
from becoming energized. A tagout device does so by identifying the
energy-isolating device as a source of potential danger; it
indicates that the energy-isolating device and the equipment being
controlled may not be operated while the tagout device is in place.
Whichever devices are used, they must be singularly identified, must
be the only devices used for controlling hazardous energy,
and must meet the following requirements:
- Durability - lockout and
tagout devices must withstand the environment to
which they are exposed for the maximum duration of the expected
exposure. Tagout devices must be constructed and printed so that
they do not deteriorate or become illegible, especially when used
in corrosive (acid and alkali chemicals) or wet environments.
- Standardized - Both lockout and
tagout devices must be standardized according to
either color, shape, or size. Tagout
devices must also be standardized according to print
and format.
- Substantial - Lockout and tagout devices must be
substantial enough to minimize early or accidental removal. Locks
must be substantial to prevent removal except by excessive force
of special tools such as bolt cutters or other metal cutting
tools. Tag means of attachment must be nonreusable, attachable by
hand, self-locking, and nonreleasable, with a minimum unlocking
strength of no less than 50 pounds.
The device for attaching the tag also must have the general
design and basic characteristics equivalent to a one-piece nylon
cable tie that will withstand all environments and conditions.
- Identifiable - Locks and tags must
clearly identify the employee who applies them. Tags also
must warn against hazardous conditions if the machine or equipment
is energized and must include a legend such as the following:
DO NOT START, DO NOT OPEN, DO NOT CLOSE, DO NOT ENERGIZE, DO
NOT OPERATE.
Employee Training
The employer must provide effective initial training and
retraining as necessary and must certify that such training has been
given to all employees covered by the standard. The certification
must contain each employee's name and dates of training.
For the purposes of the standard, there are three types of
employees -- authorized, affected, and other. The
amount and kind of training that each employee receives is based
upon (1) the relationship of that employee's job to the machine or
equipment being locked or tagged out, and (2) the degree of
knowledge relevant to hazardous energy that he or she must possess.
For example, the employer's training program for authorized
employees (those who are charged with the responsibility for
implementing the energy control procedures and performing the
servicing or maintenance) must cover, at a minimum, the following
areas:
- recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources,
- details about the type and magnitude of the hazardous energy
sources present in the workplace, and
- the methods and means necessary to isolate and control those
energy sources (i.e., the elements of the energy control
procedures).
By contrast, affected employees (usually the machine
operators or users) and all other employees need only be able
to (1) recognize when the control procedure is being used, and (2)
understand the purpose of the procedure and the importance of not
attempting to start up or use the equipment that has been locked or
tagged out.
Because an "affected" or "other" employee is not performing the
servicing or maintenance, that employee's responsibilities under the
energy control program are simple: Whenever there is a lockout or
tagout device in place on an energy-isolating device, the affected
or other employee must leave it alone and not attempt to energize or
operate the equipment.
Every employee training program must ensure that all
employees understand the purpose, function, and restrictions of the
energy control program and that authorized employees possess
the knowledge and skills necessary for the safe application, use,
and removal of energy controls.
Training programs for authorized employees to comply with this
standard, which is performance-oriented, should deal with the
equipment, type(s) of energy, and hazard(s) specific to the
workplace being covered.
Retraining must be provided, as required, whenever there is a
change in job assignments, a change in machines, equipment or
processes that present a new hazard, or a change in energy control
procedures. Additional retraining must be conducted whenever a
periodic inspection 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 procedure.
Periodic Inspections
A periodic inspection of each procedure, when usage is at least
once a year, must be performed at least annually to assure that the
energy control procedures continue to be implemented properly and
that the employees are familiar with their responsibilities under
those procedures. The periodic inspections must be designed to
correct any deviations or inadequacies observed. An authorized
employee other than the one(s) using the energy control procedure
must perform the periodic inspections. In addition, the employer
must certify that the periodic inspections have been performed. The
certification must identify the machine or equipment on which the
energy control procedure was used, the date of the inspection, the
employees included in the inspection, and the name of the person
performing the inspection. For a lockout procedure, the periodic
inspection must include a review, between the inspector and each
authorized employee, of that employee's responsibilities under the
energy control procedure being inspected. When a tagout procedure is
inspected, a review on the limitation of tags, in addition to the
above requirements, must also be included with each affected and
authorized employee.
Application of Controls and
Lockout/Tagout Devices
The established procedure of applying energy controls includes
the specific elements and actions that must be implemented in
sequence.(3) These are briefly identified as follows:
(1) Prepare for shut down,
(2) Shut down the machine or equipment,
(3) Disconnect the energy isolating device,
(4) Apply the lockout or tagout device,
(5) Render safe all stored or residual energy, and
(6) Verify the isolation and deenergization of the machine or
equipment.
Removal of Locks and
Tags
Before lockout or tagout devices are removed and energy is
restored to the machine or equipment, the authorized employee(s)
must take the following actions or observe the following procedures:
(1) Inspect the work area to ensure that non-essential
items have been removed and that machine or equipment components
are intact and capable of operating properly;
(2) Check the area around the machine or equipment to
ensure that all employees have been safely positioned or removed,
(3) Make sure that locks or tags are removed ONLY
by those employees who attached them. (In the very few instances
when this is not possible, the device may be removed under the
direction of the employer provided that he or she strictly adheres
to the specific procedures outlined in the standard); and
(4) Notify affected employees after removing
locks or tags and before starting equipment or machines.
Additional Safety
Requirements
Special circumstances exist when (1) machines need to be tested
or repositioned during servicing, (2) outside (contractor) personnel
are at the worksite, (3) servicing or maintenance is performed by a
group (rather than one specific person), and (4) shifts or personnel
changes occur during servicing or maintenance.
- Testing or positioning of machines. OSHA allows the
temporary removal of locks or tags and the reenergization of the
machine or equipment ONLY when necessary under special
conditions -- for example, when power is needed for the testing or
positioning of machines, equipment, or components. The
reenergization must be conducted in accordance with the sequence
of the following steps:
(1) Clear the machines or equipment of tools and materials,
(2) Remove employees from the machines or equipment area,
(3) Remove the lockout or tagout devices as specified,
(4) Energize and proceed with testing or positioning, and
(5) Deenergize all systems, isolate the machine or equipment
from the energy source, and reapply lockout or tagout devices as
specified.
- Outside personnel (contractors.) The onsite employer
and the outside employer must inform each other of their
respective lockout or tagout procedures. Each employer must ensure
that his or her personnel understand and comply with all
restrictions and/or prohibitions of the other employer's energy
control program.
- Group lockout or tagout. When servicing and/or
maintenance is performed by a crew, craft, department or other
group, they must 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.
- Shift operations. During shift operations either
maintain continuous control of the energy-isolating devices or
require that the oncoming shift verify deenergization and
lockout/tagout.
The following paragraphs discuss other OSHA standards and
programs that may be applicable or of interest to the employers
covered by the lockout/tagout rule.
Other OSHA Standards and
Issues
Hazard Communication
Under the provisions of the Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR
Part 1910.1200), employers are responsible for informing employees
of the hazards and the identities of workplace chemicals to which
they are exposed. The standard covers both physical hazards (e.g.,
flammability) and health hazards (e.g., lung damage, cancer).
Requirements of the rule include written hazard communication
programs, labels and other forms of warning, availability of
material safety data sheets, and employee information and training.
Recordkeeping
OSHA requires employers with 11 or more employees to prepare and
maintain pertinent employee injury and illness records. Moreover,
all employers must report to the nearest OSHA office, within 48
hours, all accidents resulting in a work-related death or in five or
more hospitalizations. The report may be either oral or written.
The employer must maintain occupational injury and illness
records at each workplace. Records must be retained for 5 calendar
years following the end of the year to which they apply. They may be
inspected and copied at any reasonable time by authorized Federal or
State government representatives.
Unless otherwise specified, each employer shall assure the
preservation and retention of records as follows:
- Medical records are to be kept for at least the duration of
employment plus 30 years.
- Background data for exposure records, such as laboratory
reports and work sheets, need to be kept for only 1 year so long
as methodology information is retained for 30 years.
- Records of employees who have worked for less than 1 year need
not be retained after employment, but the employer must provide
these records to the employee upon termination of employment.
- First-aid records of one-time treatment need not be retained
for any specific period.
All records must be made available to the OSHA Assistant
Secretary, the Director of the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH), affected employees, former employees, and
designated representatives. When the employer ceases to do business
and there is no successor to receive the records for the prescribed
period, the employer must notify the Director of NIOSH at least 90
days prior to disposal of records.
Access to Employee Exposure and
Medical Records
Under the provisions of the Access to Employee Exposure and
Medical Records standard (29 CFR Part 1910.20), employers must
inform employees of the existence, location, and availability of
their medical and exposure records when they first begin employment
and at least annually thereafter. Upon request, employers also must
provide these records to employees, their designated
representatives, and OSHA.
Whenever an employer plans to stop doing business, and there is
no successor employer to receive and maintain those records, he must
notify employees of their right of access to records at least 3
months before he ceases to do business.
"Access" means the right and opportunity to examine and copy. The
employer may give employees (1) copies of the requested records, (2)
original records and the use of onsite copying facilities, or (3)
may lend employees their records for copying off the premises. All
responses to requests for information, whether initial or
supplemental, must be provided to the employee free of charge.
When OSHA standards require the employer to measure exposure to
harmful substances, the employee (or representative) has the right
to observe the testing and to examine the results. If the
exposure(s) are above the limit(s) set by an OSHA standard, the
employer must tell employees what steps will be taken to reduce the
exposure.
Other Sources of OSHA Assistance
Safety and Health Program
Management Guidelines
Effective management of worker safety and health protection is a
decisive factor in reducing the extent and severity of work-related
injuries and illnesses and their related costs. To assist employers
and employees in developing effective safety and health programs,
OSHA published recommended Safety and Health Program
Management Guidelines (Federal Register 54
(18): 3904-3916, January 26, 1989). These voluntary guidelines apply
to all places of employment covered by OSHA.
The guidelines identify four general elements that are critical
to the development of a successful safety and health management
program:
- Management commitment and employee involvement,
- Worksite analysis,
- Hazard prevention and control, and
- Safety and health training.
The guidelines recommend specific actions under each of these
general elements to achieve an effective safety and health program.
A single free copy of the guidelines can be obtained from the U.S.
Department of Labor OSHA/OICA Publications, P.O. box 37535,
Washington, DC 20013-7535, by sending a self-addressed mailing label
with your request.
State
Programs
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
encourages states to develop and operate their own job safety and
health plans. States with plans approved under section 18(b) of the
Act must adopt standards and enforce requirements that are at least
as effective as federal requirements. There are currently 25 state
plan states and territories: 23 covering both private and public
(state and local government) employees and two covering public
sector employees only. OSHA-approved plan states must adopt safety
and health standards comparable, but not necessarily identical, to
the federal ones within 6 months of a federal standard's
promulgation. Until a state standard is promulgated, OSHA provides
interim enforcement assistance, as appropriate, in those states. A
listing of states with approved plans appears at the end of this
publication.
Onsite Consultation
Services
Onsite consultation assistance is available on request to
employers who want help in establishing and maintaining a safe and
healthful workplace. Largely funded by OSHA, the service is provided
at no cost to the employer. Primarily developed for smaller
employers with more hazardous operations, the consultation service
is delivered by state government agencies or universities employing
professional safety consultants and health consultants.
Comprehensive assistance includes an appraisal, of all work
practices and environmental hazards of the workplace and all aspects
of the employer's present job safety and health program.
The program is separate from OSHA's inspection efforts. No
penalties are proposed or citations issued for any safety or health
problems identified by the consultant. The service is confidential.
For more information concerning consultation assistance, see
the list of consultation projects at the end of this
publication.
Voluntary Protection Programs
(VPP)
Voluntary Protection Programs (VPPs) and onsite consultation
services, when coupled with an effective enforcement program, expand
worker protection to help meet the goals of the OSH Act. The three
VPPs -- Star, Merit, and Demonstration -- are designed to recognize
outstanding achievement by companies that have successfully
incorporated comprehensive safety and health programs into their
total management system. They motivate others to achieve excellent
safety and health results in the same outstanding way as they
establish a cooperative relationship among employers, employees, and
OSHA.
For additional information on VPPs and how to apply, contact the
OSHA area or regional offices listed at the end of this publication.
Training and Education
OSHA's area offices offer a variety of information services, such
as publications, audiovisual aids, technical advice, and speakers
for special engagements. OSHA's Training Institute in Des Plaines,
IL, provides basic and advanced courses in safety and health for
federal and state compliance officers, state consultants, federal
agency personnel, and private sector employers, employees, and their
representatives.
OSHA also provides funds to nonprofit organizations, through
grants, to conduct workplace training and education in subjects
where OSHA believes there is a lack of workplace training. Grants
are awarded annually, with a 1-year renewal possible. Grant
recipients are expected to contribute 20 percent of the total grant
cost.
For more information on grants, training and education, contact
the OSHA Training Institute, Office of Training and Education, 1555
Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018, (847) 297-4810, Fax (847)
297-4874.
Electronic Information
Internet -- OSHA standards, interpretations, directives, and
additional information are now on the World Wide Web at http://www.osha.gov/
CD-ROM -- A wide variety of OSHA materials, including standards,
interpretations, directives, and more, can be purchased on the OSHA CD-ROM from
the U.S. Government Printing Office.
Emergencies
For life-threatening situations, call (800) 321-OSHA. Complaints
will go immediately to the nearest OSHA area or state office for
help.
For further information on any OSHA program, contact your nearest
OSHA area or regional office listed at the end of this publication.
Glossary
Affected employee - An employee who performs the duties
of his or her job in an area in which the energy control procedure
is implemented and servicing or maintenance operations are
performed. An authorized employee and an affected employee may be
the same person when the affected employee's duties also involve
performing maintenance or service on a machine or equipment that
must be locked or a tagout system implemented. An effected employee
does not perform servicing or maintenance on machines or
equipment and, consequently, is not responsible for implementing the
energy control procedure. An affected employee becomes an
"authorized" employee whenever he or she performs servicing or
maintenance functions on machines or equipment that must be locked
or tagged.
Authorized employee - An employee who performs servicing
or maintenance on machines and equipment. Lockout or tagout is used
by these employees for their self protection.
Capable of being locked out - An energy-isolating device
is considered capable of being locked out if it meets one of the
following requirements:
- It is designed with a hasp to which a lock can be attached;
- It is designed with any other integral part through which a
lock can be affixed;
- It has a locking mechanism built into it; or
- It can be locked without dismantling, rebuilding, or replacing
the energy isolating device or permanently altering its energy
control capability.
Energized - Machines and equipment are energized when (1)
they are connected to an energy source or (2) they contain residual
or stored energy.
Energy-isolating device - Any mechanical device that
physically prevents the transmission or release of energy. These
include, but are not limited to, manually-operated electrical
circuit breakers, disconnect switches, line valves, and blocks.
Energy source - Any source of electrical, mechanical,
hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other energy.
Energy control procedure - A written document that
contains those items of information an authorized employee needs to
know in order to safely control hazardous energy during servicing or
maintenance of machines or equipment. (A more comprehensive
explanation is provided elsewhere in this booklet.)
Energy control program - A program intended to prevent the
unexpected energizing or the release of stored energy in machines or
equipment. The program consists of energy control procedure(s), an
employee training program, and periodic inspections.
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 - Any device that uses positive means such
as a lock, either key or combination type, to hold an
energy-isolating device in a safe position, thereby preventing the
energizing of machinery or equipment. When properly installed, a
blank flange or bolted slip blind are considered equivalent to
lockout devices.
Tagout - The placement of a tagout device on on
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 - Any prominent warning device, such as tag
and a means of attachment, that can be securely fastened to an
energy-isolating device in accordance with an established procedure.
The tag indicates that the machine or equipment to which it is
attached is not to be operated until the tagout device is removed in
accordance with the energy control procedure.
OSHA Related
Publications
Single free copies of the following publications can be obtained
from the OSHA area and regional offices and from the U.S. Department
of Labor, OSHA/OICA Publications, P.O. Box 37535, Washington, DC
20013-7535. Telephone (202) 219-4667; or (202) 219-9266 (Fax).
Please enclose a self-addressed mailing label with your written
request.
Access to Medical and Exposure Records - OSHA 3110
All About OSHA - OSHA 2056
Chemical Hazard Communication - OSHA 3084
Consultation Services for the Employer - OSHA 3047
How to Prepare for Workplace Emergencies - OSHA
3088
OSHA Employee Workplace Rights - OSHA 3021
OSHA Inspections - OSHA 2098
Personal Protective Equipment - OSHA 3077
Respiratory Protection - OSHA 3079
The following publications are available from the superintendent
of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402
(202) 512-1800, FAX (202) 512-2250. Include GPO Order No. and make
checks payable to Superintendent of Documents.
Recordkeeping Guidelines for Occupational Injuries and
Illnesses Order No. 029-016-00145-0; cost $6.00.
Hazard Communication -- A Compliance Kit -- OSHA
3104 Order No. 029-016-00147-6; cost $18.00, may be ordered from the
Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington,
DC 20402 for $18.00 ($22.50 for foreign addresses). Specify GPO
Order Number 929-022-00000-9. The kit can be ordered from GPO by
using VISA or MasterCard; call (202) 783-3238.
States with Approved
Plans
Commissioner Alaska Department of Labor 1111 West
8th Street Room 306 Juneau, AK 99801 (907) 465-2700
Director Industrial Commission of Arizona 800 W.
Washington Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 542-5795
Director California Department of Industrial
Relations 45 Fremont Street 4th Floor S. San Francisco, CA
94105 (415) 972-8835
Commissioner Connecticut Department of Labor 200
Folly Brook Boulevard Wethersfield, CT 06109 (860)
566-5123
Director Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial
Relations 830 Punchbowl Street Honolulu, HI 96813 (808)
586-8844
Commissioner Indiana Department of Labor State Office
Building 402 West Washington Street Room W195 Indianapolis, IN
46204 (317) 232-2378
Commissioner Iowa Division of Labor Services 1000 E.
Grand Avenue Des Moines, IA 50319 (515) 281-3447
Secretary Kentucky Labor Cabinet 1047 U.S. Highway
127 South, Suite 2 Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 564-3070
Commissioner Maryland Division of Labor and Industry
Department of Licensing and Regulation 1100 N. Eutaw Street, Room
613 Baltimore, MD 21202-2206 (410) 767-2215
Director Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry
Services Victor Office Center 4th Floor Law Building P.O. Box
30004 Lansing, MI 48909 (517) 373-7230
Commissioner Minnesota Department of Labor and
Industry 443 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155 (612)
296-2342
Administrator Nevada Division of Industrial
Relations 400 King Street Carson City, NV 89710 (702)
687-3032
Secretary New Mexico Environment Department 1190 St.
Francis Drive P.O. Box 26110 Santa Fe, NM 87502 (505)
827-2850
Commissioner New York Department of Labor W. Averill
Harriman State Office Building - 12 Room 500 Albany, NY
12240 (518) 457-2741
Commissioner North Carolina Department of Labor 319
Chapanoke Road Raleigh, NC 27603 (919) 662-4585
Administrator Department of Consumer and Business
Services Occupational Safety and Health Division
(OR-OSHA) Labor and Industries Building Rm. 430 Salem, OR
97310 (503) 378-3272
Secretary Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human
Resources Prudencio Rivera Martinez Building 505 Munoz Rivera
Avenue Hato Rey, PR 00918 (809) 754-2119
Director South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing
& Regulation 110 Centerview Drive P.O. Box
11329 Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 896-4300
Commissioner Tennessee Department of
Labor Attention: Robert Taylor 710 James Robertson
Parkway Nashville, TN 37243-0659 (615) 741-2582
Commissioner Industrial Commission of Utah 160 East
300 South, 3rd Floor P.O. Box 146600 Salt Lake City, UT
84114-6600 (801) 530-6898
Commissioner Vermont Department of Labor and
Industry National Life Bldg. Drawer 20 120 State
Street Montpelier, VT 05620 (802) 828-2288
Commissioner Virgin Islands Department of Labor 2131
Hospital Street, Box 890 Christiansted St. Croix, VI
00820-4666 (809) 773-1994
Commissioner Virginia Department of Labor and
Industry Powers-Taylor Building 13 South l3th
Street Richmond, VA 23219 (804) 786-2377
Director Washington Department of Labor and
Industries P.O. Box 44001 Olympia, WA 98504-4001 (360)
902-4200
Safety Administrator Workers' Safety, and Compensation
Div. (WSC) Wyoming Dept. of Employment, Herschler Building, 2nd
Floor East 122 West 25th Street Cheyenne, WY 82002 (307)
777-7786
OSHA Consultation Project Directory
| State |
Telephone |
| |
|
| Alabama |
(205)
348-7136 |
| Alaska |
(907)
269-4957 |
| Arizona |
(602)
542-5795 |
| Arkansas |
(501)
682-4522 |
| California |
(415)
972-8515 |
| Colorado |
(303)
491-6151 |
| Connecticut |
(203)
566-4550 |
| Delaware |
(302)
761-8219 |
| District of
Columbia |
(202)
576-6339 |
| Florida |
(904)
488-3044 |
| Georgia |
(404)
894-2643 |
| Guam |
(671)
475-0136 |
| Hawaii |
(808)
586-9100 |
| Idaho |
(208)
385-3283 |
| Illinois |
(312)
814-2337 |
| Indiana |
(317)
232-2688 |
| Iowa |
(515)
965-7162 |
| Kansas |
(913)
296-7476 |
| Kentucky |
(502)
564-6895 |
| Louisiana |
(504)
342-9601 |
| Maine |
(207)
624-6460 |
| Maryland |
(410)
880-4970 |
| Massachusetts |
(617)
727-3982 |
| Michigan |
(517)
335-1817(H) |
| |
(517)
322-1809(S) |
| Minnesota |
(612)
297-2393 |
| Mississippi |
(601)
987-3981 |
| Missouri |
(314)
751-3403 |
| Montana |
(406)
444-6418 |
| Nebraska |
(402)
471-4717 |
| Nevada |
(702)
486-5016 |
| New Hampshire |
(603)
271-2024 |
| New Jersey |
(609)
292-3924 |
| New Mexico |
(505)
827-4230 |
| New York |
(518)
457-2481 |
| North Carolina |
(919)
662-4651 |
| North Dakota |
(701)
328-5188 |
| Ohio |
(614)
644-2631 |
| Oklahoma |
(405)
528-1500 |
| Oregon |
(503)
378-3272 |
| Pennsylvania |
(412)
357-2561 |
| Puerto Rico |
(787)
754-2188 |
| Rhode Island |
(401)
277-2438 |
| South Carolina |
(803)
734-9614 |
| South Dakota |
(605)
688-4101 |
| Tennessee |
(615)
741-7036 |
| Texas |
(512)
440-3809 |
| Utah |
(801)
530-7606 |
| Vermont |
(802)
828-2765 |
| Virginia |
(804)
786-6359 |
| Virgin Islands |
(809)
772-1315 |
| Washington |
(360)
902-5638 |
| West Virginia |
(304)
558-7890 |
| Wisconsin |
(608)
266-8579(H) |
| |
(414)
521-5188(S) |
| Wyoming |
(307)
777-7786 |
(H) - Health (S) - Safety
OSHA Area
Offices
| State |
Telephone |
| |
|
| Albany, NY |
(518)
279-6742 |
| Albuquerque, NM |
(505)
284-5302 |
| Allentown, PA |
(215)
776-0592 |
| Anchorage, AK |
(907)
271-5152 |
| Appleton, WI |
(414)
734-4521 |
| Austin, TX |
(512)
482-5783 |
| Avenel, NJ |
(908)
750-3270 |
| Baltimore, MD |
(410)
962-2840 |
| Baton Rouge, LA |
(504)
389-0474 |
| Bayside, NY |
(718)
279-9060 |
| Bellevue, WA |
(206)
553-7520 |
| Billings, MT |
(406)
247-7494 |
| Birmingham, AL |
(205)
731-1534 |
| Bismarck, ND |
(701)
250-4521 |
| Boise, ID |
(208)
334-1867 |
| Bowmansville, NY |
(716)
684-3891 |
| Braintree, MA |
(617)
565-6924 |
| Bridgeport, CT |
(203)
579-5581 |
| Calumet City, IL |
(708)
891-3800 |
| Carson City, NV |
(702)885-6963 |
| Charleston, WV |
(304)
347-5937 |
| Cincinnati, OH |
(513)
841-4132 |
| Cleveland, OH |
(216)
522-3818 |
| Columbia, SC |
(803)
765-5904 |
| Columbus, OH |
(614)
469-5582 |
| Concord, NH |
(603)
225-1629 |
| Corpus Christi, TX |
(512)
888-3420 |
| Dallas, TX |
(214)
320-2400 |
| Denver, CO |
(303)
844-5285 |
| Des Plaines, IL |
(708)
803-4800 |
| Des Moines, IA |
(515)
284-4794 |
| Englewood, CO |
(303)
843-4500 |
| Erie, PA |
(814)
833-5758 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL |
(954)
424-0242 |
| Fort Worth, TX |
(817)
428-2470 |
| Frankfort, KY |
(502)
227-7024 |
| Harrisburg, PA |
(717)
782-3902 |
| Hartford, CT |
(860)
240-3152 |
| Hasbrouck Heights,
NJ |
(201)
288-1700 |
| Hato Rey, PR |
(809)
766-1560 |
| Houston, TX |
(281)
286-0583 |
| Houston, TX |
(281)
591-2438 |
| Indianapolis, IN |
(317)
226-7290 |
| Jackson, MS |
(601)
965-4606 |
| Jacksonville, FL |
(904)
232-2895 |
| Kansas City, MO |
(816)
438-9531 |
| Lansing, MI |
(517)
377-1892 |
| Little Rock, AR |
(501)
324-6291 |
| Lubbock, TX |
(472)
743-7681 |
| Madison, WI |
(608)
264-5388 |
| Marlton, NJ |
(609)
757-5181 |
| Methuen, MA |
(617)
565-8110 |
| Milwaukee, WI |
(414)
297-3315 |
| Minneapolis, MN |
(612)
348-1994 |
| Mobile, AL |
(205)
441-6131 |
| Nashville, TN |
(615)
781-5423 |
| New York, NY |
(212)
466-2482 |
| Norfolk, VA |
(804)
441-3820 |
| North Aurora, IL |
(708)
896-8700 |
| Oklahoma City, OK |
(405)
231-5351 |
| Omaha, NE |
(402)
221-3182 |
| Parsippany, NJ |
(201)
263-1003 |
| Peoria, IL |
(309)
671-7033 |
| Philadelphia, PA |
(215)
597-4955 |
| Phoenix, AZ |
(602)
640-2007 |
| Pittsburgh, PA |
(412)
644-2903 |
| Portland, OR |
(503)
326-2251 |
| Providence, RI |
(401)
528-4669 |
| Raleigh, NC |
(919)
856-4770 |
| Sacramento, CA |
(916)
566-7470 |
| San Diego, CA |
(619)
557-2909 |
| Salt Lake City, UT |
(801)
487-0075 |
| San Francisco, CA |
(415)
744-7120 |
| Savannah, GA |
(912)
652-4393 |
| Smyrna, GA |
(770)
984-8700 |
| Springfield, MA |
(413)
785-0123 |
| St. Louis, MO |
(314)
425-4249 |
| North Syracuse, NY |
(315)
451-0808 |
| Tampa, FL |
(813)
626-1177 |
| Tarrytown, NY |
(914)
524-7510 |
| Toledo, OH |
(419)
259-7542 |
| Tucker, GA |
(404)
493-6644 |
| Westbury, NY |
(516)
334-3344 |
| Wichita, KS |
(316)
269-6644 |
OSHA Regional
Offices
Region I (CT,* MA, ME, NH, RI, VT*) JFK Federal Building Room
E-340 Boston, MA 02203 Telephone: (617) 565-9860
Region II (NJ, NY,* PR,* VI*) 201 Varick Street Room 670 New
York, NY 10014 Telephone: (212) 337-2378
Region III (DC, DE, MD,* PA, VA,* WV) Gateway Building, Suite
2100 3535 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 Telephone:
(215) 596-1201
Region IV, (AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC, SC,* TN*) Atlanta Federal Center 61 Forsyth
Street, Atlanta, GA 30303 Telephone: (404) 562-3200
Region V (IL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI) 230 South Dearborn Street Room
3244 Chicago, IL 60604 Telephone: (312) 353-2220
Region VI (AR, LA, NM,* OK, TX) 525 Griffin Street Room
602 Dallas, TX 75202 Telephone: (214) 767-4731
Region VII (IA,* KS, MO, NE) City Center Square 1100
Main Street, Suite 800 Kansas City, MO 64105 Telephone: (816)
426-5861
Region VIII (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,* WY*) 1999 Broadway, Suite 1690 Denver,
CO 80202-5716 Telephone: (303) 844-1600
Region IX (American Samoa, AZ,* CA,* Guam, HI,* NV,* Trust Territories of the Pacific) 71
Stevenson Street Room 420 San Francisco, CA 94105 Telephone:
(415) 744-6670
Region X (AK,* ID, OR,* WA*) 1111 Third Avenue Suite
715 Seattle, WA 98101-3212 Telephone: (206) 553-5930
Footnote(1) The following OSHA standards
currently contain lockout/tagout-related requirements: 29 CFR Parts
1910.146 - Confined Space; 1910.178 - Powered Industrial Trucks;
1910.179 - Overhead and Gantry Cranes; 1910.181 - Derricks; 1910.213
- Woodworking Machinery; 1910.217 - Mechanical Power Presses;
1910.218 - Forging Machines; 1910.252 - Welding, Cutting and
Brazing; 1910.261 - Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Mills; 1910.262 -
Textiles; 1910.263 - Bakery Equipment; 1910.265 - Sawmills; 1910.272
- Grain Handling; 1910.305 - Wiring Methods, Components, and
Equipment; 1910.333 - Selection and Use of Work Practices.
Note: 1910.147(a)(1)(ii)(c) states that electric
utilization installations are not covered.(Back
to Text)
Footnote(2) See glossary and section on
"Employee Training" in this booklet.(Back
to Text)
Footnote(3) See 29 CFR Part 1910.147(d) for the
detailed requirements and language of the OSHA standard.(Back
to Text)
Footenote(*)These states and territories
operate their own OSHA-approved job safety and health programs
(Connecticut and New York plans cover public employees only). States
with approved programs must have a standard that is identical to, or
at least as effective as, the federal standard.(Back
to Text)
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