What is a lockout-tagout checklist used for?

A lockout-tagout checklist is used to document the safe isolation, de-energisation and re-energisation of electrical equipment before maintenance or repair work. It records every energy source, the isolation devices used, who applied each lock and tag, the zero energy verification result and the re-energisation sign-off. The completed checklist provides auditable evidence that the correct isolation procedure was followed.

What Australian standards apply to electrical lockout-tagout?

AS 4024.1603:2006 (Safeguarding of machinery, Part 1603: Lockout/tagout) establishes the requirements for safe isolation of energy sources including electrical energy. The WHS Regulations 2011, Regulation 203, requires that electrical equipment is disconnected from supply and isolated before electrical work is carried out. Each state and territory may have additional codes of practice, such as the SafeWork NSW Code of Practice for Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace, which provides practical guidance on implementing LOTO procedures.

Who can perform electrical lockout-tagout?

Only trained and authorised workers should perform electrical lockout-tagout. The authorised person must understand the equipment energy sources, the isolation procedure and the verification method. In Australia, electrical isolation of fixed wiring and equipment must be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed electrician. All workers in the affected area should understand the LOTO process and know not to remove another person's lock or tag.

What happens if lockout-tagout is not followed?

Failure to follow lockout-tagout procedures can result in electrocution, arc flash burns, equipment damage and fatalities. Under the WHS Act 2011, a PCBU that fails to ensure safe isolation of electrical equipment faces penalties up to $3 million for a Category 1 offence (reckless conduct causing risk of death or serious injury). Workers who bypass LOTO procedures also risk personal prosecution. Documented LOTO checklists are critical evidence during incident investigations and coronial inquiries.

Is this lockout-tagout checklist free to download?

Yes. This electrical lockout-tagout checklist is completely free to download and use. Open the page in any browser and print or save as PDF. The checklist references Australian standards including AS 4024.1603:2006 and the WHS Regulations 2011. If you want to digitise your LOTO process with mandatory photo evidence, real-time supervisor notifications and full audit trails, MapTrack can help.

Free electrical lockout-tagout checklist

Jump to download form ↓

Enter your email below to download this electrical lockout-tagout checklist as a ready-to-use PDF.

Free electrical lockout-tagout checklist (PDF-ready). Covers isolation, verification, tagging, lock placement and re-energisation. Digitise with MapTrack.

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 2 May 2026

How to use: download the PDF, print or complete digitally on any device.

✓PDF format, ready to print or fill on screen
✓Use as-is or customise to suit your operation
✓Go digital in MapTrack for photos, alerts and audit trails

See template in action →

Download free PDF template

Trusted by teams across Australia and New Zealand

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.

Preview the template

See the first part of the electrical lockout-tagout checklist below. Download the full version above.

Download to get full template →

What is a electrical lockout-tagout checklist?

An electrical lockout-tagout (LOTO) checklist is a structured document used to ensure that electrical equipment and circuits are safely isolated, de-energised, locked and tagged before maintenance or repair work begins. The checklist guides workers through each step of the isolation process, from identifying energy sources and notifying affected personnel through to applying locks and tags, verifying zero energy and documenting the safe restoration of power after work is complete. It records who performed the isolation, which devices were locked, the work being done and the sign-off for re-energisation.

Lockout-tagout failures are a leading cause of electrical fatalities and serious injuries in Australian workplaces. AS 4024.1603:2006 (Safeguarding of machinery - Lockout/tagout) establishes the requirements for safe isolation of energy sources. The WHS Regulations 2011, Regulation 203, requires that a PCBU ensures electrical equipment is isolated before electrical work is carried out. Skipping or shortcutting LOTO procedures can result in electrocution, arc flash, burns and equipment damage, with penalties under the WHS Act including fines exceeding $3 million for Category 1 offences where there is reckless conduct causing a risk of death or serious injury.

Learn more about compliance and inspections in MapTrack.

Benefits of using this electrical lockout-tagout checklist

Worker safety: ensures electrical circuits are confirmed dead before anyone works on or near them, preventing electrocution and arc flash.
Regulatory compliance: satisfies AS 4024.1603:2006 lockout-tagout requirements and WHS Regulations 2011, Regulation 203.
Procedural consistency: a standardised checklist ensures every isolation follows the same steps regardless of the worker or shift.
Accountability: personal lock and tag records create a clear chain of responsibility for each isolation point.
Incident prevention: documented verification of zero energy catches missed isolation points before they cause injury.
Audit readiness: completed LOTO checklists provide evidence of safe work practices during SafeWork inspections and audits.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you digitise electrical equipment checklists in MapTrack, you get:

Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
Ability to share forms digitally.
Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
Electronic signatures.
Edit forms later without reprinting.
Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
Record test and tag results digitally with automatic retest scheduling.
Link electrical inspection records to specific assets for full service history.
Flag overdue RCD testing and thermal imaging inspections on the dashboard.

Book a demo to see how MapTrack handles electrical equipment checklists.

Try MapTrack free for 30 days

Full access to every feature. No credit card required. Per-asset pricing so you scale as your fleet grows.

Start free trial

No credit card required
30 days free trial
Cancel anytime

What to include in a electrical lockout-tagout checklist

This electrical lockout-tagout checklist covers 9 key areas:

Work details: job number, equipment name and ID, description of work, planned start and finish time, authorised person name.
Energy source identification: list of all electrical energy sources, circuit identifiers, voltage levels, isolation point locations.
Notification: confirmation that affected personnel and areas have been notified of the planned isolation.
Isolation steps: isolator or breaker identification, position (open/closed), lock number, tag number, person who applied lock.
Stored energy verification: capacitor discharge, UPS isolation, battery disconnection, generator lockout where applicable.
Zero energy verification: voltage test results at the point of work using a proving unit-tested voltage detector.
Danger tags and locks: tag details (name, date, reason, expected duration), personal lock serial numbers.
Re-energisation procedure: confirmation all tools and personnel are clear, locks removed by their owners, test before energising.
Sign-off: isolated by (name, signature, date/time), verified by (name, signature), re-energised by (name, signature, date/time).

How to use this electrical lockout-tagout checklist

Identify all energy sources and complete the pre-isolation checklist: Review the equipment single-line diagram or isolation procedure to identify every electrical energy source, including mains supply, backup generators, UPS systems, capacitors and battery banks. List each source on the checklist with its circuit identifier and voltage level.
Notify affected personnel and apply isolations: Inform all workers and supervisors in the affected area of the planned isolation. Open each isolator or circuit breaker listed on the checklist, confirm the device is in the open position and apply your personal lock and danger tag. Record the lock number and your name on the checklist.
Discharge stored energy and verify zero energy state: Discharge any capacitors, isolate UPS systems, disconnect batteries and lock out standby generators. Using a voltage detector that has been proved on a known live source, test at the point of work to confirm zero voltage on all phases and neutral. Record the test result on the checklist.
Perform the maintenance or repair work: Only commence work after the zero energy verification is complete and recorded. If the scope of work changes or additional circuits need isolation, stop work and repeat the isolation process for the new energy sources before continuing.
Complete the re-energisation procedure and sign off: Confirm all tools, test equipment and personnel are clear of the equipment. Each person removes their own lock and tag. The authorised person verifies all locks are removed, closes isolators in the correct sequence and re-energises the circuit. Record the re-energisation time and sign off the checklist.

In MapTrack, you can digitise electrical safety inspections and test records. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.

Get the free template

Enter your email above to download the full electrical lockout-tagout checklist as a PDF.

Back to download form

How often should you complete this checklist?

A lockout-tagout checklist must be completed every time electrical equipment is isolated for maintenance, repair, testing or modification. There is no fixed calendar frequency because LOTO is triggered by the work activity, not by time. However, the LOTO procedure itself should be reviewed annually to ensure it reflects current equipment configurations. AS 4024.1603:2006 also requires that LOTO procedures be audited periodically to verify workers are following the documented process. In MapTrack, attach the LOTO checklist as a required form on every electrical maintenance work order to ensure it is never skipped.

Frequently asked questions

Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

AS 4024.1603:2006 - Safeguarding of machinery, Lockout/tagout
WHS Regulations 2011, Regulation 203 - Electrical equipment must be disconnected and isolated

Need to digitise electrical safety inspections and test records?

Register every electrical equipment in MapTrack, attach digital forms, and get a complete history of every inspection, service and compliance record.

Start free trial Book a demo

Compliance and inspections · All templates · Pricing · Book a demo