US · Expiry & renewal tracking
Inspect every lockout/tagout procedure at least once a year
An employer must conduct a periodic inspection of each lockout/tagout energy control procedure at least annually, carried out by an authorized employee other than those using the procedure, and certify it in writing (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)). Deviations found must be corrected and can trigger retraining.
OSHA's lockout/tagout standard (29 CFR 1910.147) covers the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment where unexpected energization, start up or release of stored energy could injure employees. The employer must set up an energy control program made up of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections (29 CFR 1910.147(a)(1)(i) and (c)(1)).
The employer must conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually, to make sure the procedure and the standard are being followed. The inspection is done by an authorized employee other than the ones using the procedure being inspected, and any deviations or inadequacies found must be corrected (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i)).
Where lockout is used, the inspection includes a review with each authorized employee of their responsibilities under the procedure. Where tagout is used, the review covers each authorized and affected employee, plus the limitations of tags. The employer must certify that the inspections were performed (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i)(C), (D) and (c)(6)(ii)).
At a glance
| Rule | 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6) (OSHA) |
|---|---|
| Frequency | At least annually, for each energy control procedure |
| Inspector | An authorized employee other than those using the procedure |
| Lockout | Review with each authorized employee |
| Tagout | Review with each authorized and affected employee, including the limits of tags |
| Certification | Machine or equipment, date, employees included, person inspecting |
The standard does not cover construction, agriculture, maritime employment under parts 1915, 1917 and 1918, electric utility power generation, transmission and distribution installations, electrical hazards covered by subpart S, or oil and gas well drilling and servicing (29 CFR 1910.147(a)(1)(ii)).
Who is responsible?
The employer. It must conduct the periodic inspection, correct what it finds and certify it (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)). An authorized employee is the person who locks or tags out machines or equipment to service or maintain them (29 CFR 1910.147(b)).
An inspection can trigger retraining
Additional retraining is required whenever a periodic inspection reveals, or the employer has reason to believe, that there are deviations from or inadequacies in an employee's knowledge or use of the energy control procedures. The employer must certify that training is accomplished and kept up to date, with each employee's name and dates of training (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(iii)(B) and (c)(7)(iv)).
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each energy control procedure (or each machine it covers) as a document and record the date its next periodic inspection is due, 12 months or less after the last one.
- Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the due date and on the due date itself.
- Assign a responsible person (for example your maintenance or safety manager) so the right person gets the reminder.
- If a date passes, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
- Ask the inspector to upload the signed inspection certification through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.
Frequently asked questions
- How often must lockout/tagout procedures be inspected?
- At least annually (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i)).
- Who may perform the periodic inspection?
- An authorized employee other than the ones using the energy control procedure being inspected (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i)(A)).
- What must the inspection certification show?
- The machine or equipment on which the procedure was being used, the date of the inspection, the employees included in the inspection and the person performing it (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(ii)).
- Does every machine need a written procedure?
- Procedures must be developed, documented and used. The standard has a narrow exception for a machine that meets all of the listed conditions, such as a single, readily identified energy source and no stored or residual energy (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i)).
Sources
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.147, the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)
- OSHA: 29 CFR 1910.147, the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)
Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
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Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each lockout/tagout procedure inspection (OSHA) (US) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
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