What does OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 require for lockout tagout?

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 requires employers to establish an energy control programme that includes documented procedures for LOTO, employee training (authorised, affected and other employees), and periodic inspections of the energy control procedures at least annually. The standard requires that lockout or tagout devices be applied to energy-isolating devices to prevent unexpected energisation during servicing and maintenance.

Who is an authorised employee for LOTO purposes?

An authorised employee is a person who locks out or tags out machines or equipment in order to perform servicing or maintenance. Authorised employees must receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of energy in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control. Only authorised employees may apply and remove lockout tagout devices.

How often must LOTO procedures be inspected under OSHA?

OSHA requires that the energy control programme be inspected at least annually. The periodic inspection must include a review of each authorised employee use of the procedure and must be conducted by an authorised employee other than the one using the procedure being inspected. For lockout procedures, the inspection must include a review between the inspector and each authorised employee. For tagout procedures, it must also include a review with each affected employee.

What is the difference between lockout and tagout?

Lockout uses a physical locking device (such as a padlock) applied to an energy-isolating device that prevents the device from being operated. Tagout uses a tag attached to the energy-isolating device as a warning that the equipment must not be operated. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 requires lockout where the energy-isolating device is capable of being locked out. Tagout alone may be used only when the energy-isolating device cannot be locked out, and additional safety measures must be employed to provide equivalent protection.

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Free OSHA lockout tagout (LOTO) checklist (PDF-ready). Covers 29 CFR 1910.147 control of hazardous energy procedures. Download free.

Last updated: 2026-04-20

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 20 April 2026

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What is a osha lockout tagout (loto) checklist?

An OSHA lockout tagout (LOTO) checklist is a structured form used to document the isolation and de-energisation of equipment and machinery in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147, the Control of Hazardous Energy standard. The standard requires employers to establish a programme and utilise procedures for affixing appropriate lockout or tagout devices to energy-isolating devices, and otherwise disable machines or equipment to prevent unexpected energisation, start-up or release of stored energy during servicing and maintenance. This checklist walks the authorised employee through the LOTO procedure step by step, covering preparation and notification, shutdown of the machine, isolation of all energy sources (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal and gravitational), application of lockout and tagout devices, verification of isolation (try-start), the servicing or maintenance work, and the removal of lockout tagout devices and re-energisation of the equipment. It also addresses group lockout tagout procedures for operations involving multiple authorised employees. Using this checklist ensures every isolation follows a consistent, documented process, reduces the risk of contact with hazardous energy, and provides an auditable record for OSHA compliance and internal safety management.

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Benefits of using this osha lockout tagout (loto) checklist

OSHA compliance: meet 29 CFR 1910.147 requirements for documented LOTO procedures and demonstrate due diligence during inspections.
Hazardous energy control: the step-by-step format ensures all energy sources are identified, isolated and verified before any servicing or maintenance work begins.
Try-start verification: the checklist prompts the critical try-start step that confirms the machine cannot be energised after lockout.
Group lockout: addresses multi-person LOTO procedures so every authorised employee is protected when multiple workers service the same equipment.
Audit trail: completed checklists provide date-stamped, signed records of every LOTO event, supporting OSHA periodic inspections and incident investigations.
Multi-energy coverage: the checklist prompts identification of all seven energy types (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, chemical, thermal and gravitational), preventing the common error of isolating one source while overlooking another.

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What to include in a osha lockout tagout (loto) checklist

This osha lockout tagout (loto) checklist covers 11 key areas:

Equipment details: machine name, asset number, location, energy types present (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, chemical, thermal, gravitational).
Authorised employee details: name, department, date, time.
Preparation: notify all affected employees, review the specific LOTO procedure for this machine.
Shutdown: orderly shutdown of the machine using normal operating controls.
Isolation: identify and isolate all energy sources at their isolation points. Record each isolation point and the device used.
Lockout/tagout application: apply personal lock and tag to each isolation device. Record lock numbers.
Stored energy: dissipate or restrain all stored or residual energy (capacitors, springs, elevated parts, pressurised lines, process fluids).
Verification (try-start): attempt to start the machine using normal operating controls to verify isolation. Return controls to off/neutral after verification.
Group lockout: for multi-person operations, record each authorised employee lock and the group lockbox or hasp used.
De-isolation: confirm work is complete, guards replaced, tools removed, all personnel clear, locks removed and machine re-energised.
Sign-off: authorised employee and supervisor.

How to use this osha lockout tagout (loto) checklist

Record equipment details and notify all affected employees that LOTO is being applied. Review the machine-specific LOTO procedure.: Enter the machine name, asset number, location and all energy types present. Obtain the machine-specific LOTO procedure, which should list every energy source, the isolation point for each source, the type of lockout device required and any special instructions such as stored energy dissipation methods. Notify all affected employees and other employees in the area that the machine will be locked out, why, and the expected duration. This notification prevents someone from unknowingly attempting to start the machine while it is being serviced.
Shut down the machine using normal operating controls. Isolate all energy sources at their isolation points and apply personal locks and tags.: Perform an orderly shutdown using the machine normal stop button or controls. Do not simply pull a breaker without shutting down first, as this can damage equipment or cause uncontrolled energy release. Identify each energy isolation point listed in the machine-specific procedure: circuit breakers, disconnect switches, valve handles, pneumatic line disconnects and mechanical blocks. Switch each isolator to the off or closed position. Apply your personal padlock and a "DANGER - DO NOT OPERATE" tag to each isolation device. Record the lock number against each isolation point on the checklist.
Dissipate or restrain all stored or residual energy. This may include bleeding hydraulic lines, discharging capacitors, blocking elevated components or venting pressurised systems.: After isolation, residual energy may still be present in the system. Bleed hydraulic accumulators and lines to zero pressure by opening drain valves. Discharge electrical capacitors using a grounding stick or the manufacturer procedure. Block or pin any elevated machine components (press rams, raised platforms, counterweights) that could fall under gravity. Vent pneumatic lines and tanks to atmosphere. Drain process fluids if they pose a chemical or thermal hazard. Verify each stored energy source has been addressed using the machine-specific LOTO procedure and record the results on the checklist.
Perform the try-start verification. Attempt to start the machine using normal controls to confirm isolation is effective. Return controls to the off or neutral position after verification.: The try-start is the most critical step in the LOTO process. Ensure all personnel are clear of the machine hazard zone. Press the start button or activate the normal operating controls. The machine should not start, move, pressurize or energize in any way. If the machine starts or any energy is detected, stop immediately, re-evaluate the isolation and identify the energy source that was missed. After successful verification, return all controls to the off or neutral position to prevent the machine from starting when locks are eventually removed.
Perform the servicing or maintenance work. For group lockout, ensure every authorised employee has applied their personal lock before work begins.: Only begin work after the try-start verification confirms the machine is fully de-energised. If multiple workers are servicing the same equipment, each authorised employee must apply their own personal lock to a group lockbox or multi-hasp device; no one may remove another person lock. The primary authorised employee who set up the initial lockout coordinates the group lockout and ensures all workers have locked on before anyone begins work. If a shift change occurs during the lockout, the incoming authorised employee must apply their lock before the outgoing employee removes theirs.
When work is complete, inspect the machine, replace guards, remove tools, confirm all personnel are clear, remove locks and tags, and re-energise the equipment.: Before removing any locks, inspect the machine to confirm all guards and safety devices have been reinstalled, all tools and materials have been removed from the machine, and all workers are clear of the hazard zone. Notify all affected employees that the locks are being removed and the machine will be re-energised. Each authorised employee removes only their own lock. Once all locks and tags are removed, close isolation points in the correct sequence, re-energise the machine and test for normal operation. Record the de-isolation time and the authorised employee who completed it on the checklist.

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How often should you complete this checklist?

A LOTO checklist must be completed every time equipment or machinery is serviced, maintained or repaired and workers could be exposed to hazardous energy. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 also requires that the LOTO programme be inspected at least annually. The annual periodic inspection must include a review of each energy control procedure to ensure it is being followed correctly, and is typically conducted by an authorised employee who is not using the procedure being inspected. In MapTrack, LOTO events can be logged against each asset, and annual programme inspections can be scheduled with automatic reminders.

Frequently asked questions

What does OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 require for lockout tagout?: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 requires employers to establish an energy control programme that includes documented procedures for LOTO, employee training (authorised, affected and other employees), and periodic inspections of the energy control procedures at least annually. The standard requires that lockout or tagout devices be applied to energy-isolating devices to prevent unexpected energisation during servicing and maintenance.
Who is an authorised employee for LOTO purposes?: An authorised employee is a person who locks out or tags out machines or equipment in order to perform servicing or maintenance. Authorised employees must receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of energy in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control. Only authorised employees may apply and remove lockout tagout devices.
How often must LOTO procedures be inspected under OSHA?: OSHA requires that the energy control programme be inspected at least annually. The periodic inspection must include a review of each authorised employee use of the procedure and must be conducted by an authorised employee other than the one using the procedure being inspected. For lockout procedures, the inspection must include a review between the inspector and each authorised employee. For tagout procedures, it must also include a review with each affected employee.
What is the difference between lockout and tagout?: Lockout uses a physical locking device (such as a padlock) applied to an energy-isolating device that prevents the device from being operated. Tagout uses a tag attached to the energy-isolating device as a warning that the equipment must not be operated. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 requires lockout where the energy-isolating device is capable of being locked out. Tagout alone may be used only when the energy-isolating device cannot be locked out, and additional safety measures must be employed to provide equivalent protection.

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