Control of hazardous energy

Overview

Most accidents that involve hazardous energy happen when workers release that energy on themselves or an unsuspecting co-worker. Energy exists in many forms, all of which are associated with motion – and it is motion that makes energy hazardous. Energy can harm you in different ways, depending on its form. The first step to control hazardous energy is to know the forms of energy that power the equipment you use and how that energy can harm you if you do not properly control it.

To learn more, see Lockout/Tagout: Oregon OSHA’s guide to controlling hazardous energy.

All available content

Publications

Brochures/Guides
- Lockout/Tagout
  Gives instruction on how to protect employees who could be injured as a result of the unexpected release of hazardous energy. Lockout and tagout are the primary methods of controlling hazardous energy.
  English Order printed copy 03/09/2021
- Machine safeguarding at the point of operation
  Focuses on point-of-operation hazards and safeguarding methods; covers equipment found in many Oregon workplaces and current machine-guarding requirements.
  English Order printed copy 08/12/2024
- Occupational safety for the death care industry
  Developed in partnership with the Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board to emphasize industry hazards, provide recommendations, and highlight related Oregon OSHA standards.
  English 09/23/2014
Checklists
- Lockout and tagout
  Checklist for lockout and tagout.
  English
Fact sheets
- Control de energía peligrosa (cerrado y etiquetado)
  Control of hazardous energy (Lockout/tagout)
  Ofrece una descripción general de las normas OSHA de Oregon para bloqueo/etiquetado durante el servicio y mantenimiento.
  Spanish 12/23/2024
- Control of hazardous energy (Lockout/tagout)
  Gives an overview of Oregon OSHA standards for lockout/tagout during service and maintenance.
  English 12/11/2024
- Lockout/tagout for the automotive repair industry
  An overview of how the Control of Hazardous Energy standard applies to the automotive industry, including information about hazardous energy exposures and energy control programs and procedures.
  English 06/10/2009
Forms
- Energy-control (specific) procedure documentation
  Form for documenting a specific energy-control procedure.
  English Word version 10/31/2014
- Energy-control (specific) procedure example for documenting
  Form of an example for documenting a specific energy-control procedure.
  English Word version 10/31/2014
- Lockout/tag out inspection form
  Form for lockout/tagout inspection.
  English Word version 10/31/2014
- Lockout/tagout sample policy
  Form with a sample lockout/tagout policy.
  English Word version 10/31/2014
Hazard alerts
- Garbage truck - Lockout/Tagout failure
  Hazard alert on lockout/tagout failure for garbage trucks.
  English 08/07/2013
Labels and stickers
- R-Rated Equipment
  Place this sticker on equipment that is not to be used by workers younger than 18 years old.
  English Order printed copy 08/05/2013
- Sticker Sheet
  An 8½ x 11 sheet of our most popular stickers.
  English 01/04/2024
References
- Rules with requirements
  We get many calls and emails from employers asking the same question. It begins: “Which of your rules have requirements for…” You can finish the sentence with words like “recordkeeping,” “employee training,” and “written documents.” To answer those questions, we’ve organized these rules requirements into a filterable, sortable, searchable table.
  English 05/10/2019

Education and training

Online course
- Bloqueo y Etiquetado
  Durante este curso aprenderá sobre; el propósito y alcance del estándar de bloqueo o cerrado/etiquetado, procedimientos de bloqueo y etiquetado, criterios de capacitación y criterios de inspección periódica.
  Spanish Online course
- Lockout/Tagout online course
  During this course you will learn about: the purpose and scope of the lockout/tagout standard; lockout and tagout procedures; training criteria; and periodic inspection criteria.
  English Online course

PESO
- Hazardous Energy Control (Lockout / Tagout) (pptx)
  Control de Energía Peligrosa (Bloqueo y Etiquetado)
  Overhead English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Hazardous Energy Control (Lockout / Tagout) (pptx)
  Control de Energía Peligrosa (Bloqueo y Etiquetado)
  Workbook English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Hazardous Energy Control (Lockout / Tagout) (pptx)
  Control de Energía Peligrosa (Bloqueo y Etiquetado)
  Tailgate English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Hazardous Energy Control (Lockout / Tagout) (PDF)
  Control de Energía Peligrosa (Bloqueo y Etiquetado)
  Tailgate English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Hazardous Energy Control (Lockout / Tagout) (PDF)
  Control de Energía Peligrosa (Bloqueo y Etiquetado)
  Overhead English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Hazardous Energy Control (Lockout / Tagout) (PDF)
  Control de Energía Peligrosa (Bloqueo y Etiquetado)
  Workbook English Spanish 11/14/2022
Resources
- Public Education Workshop Schedule July-December
  Schedule for in-person and virtual workshop classes around the state during July through December. Attending an Oregon OSHA class helps you gain important knowledge and skills.
  English 04/23/2025
- Public Education Workshop Schedule January-June
  Schedule for our workshop classes from January through June. Attending an Oregon OSHA class helps you gain important knowledge and skills.
  English 02/05/2025
Workshop
- Lockout/Tagout and Machine Safeguarding
  Workbook English 10/01/2005
- Lockout/Tagout and Machine Safeguarding
  Instructor Guide English 10/01/2005
- Lockout/Tagout and Machine Safeguarding
  PowerPoint slides for Lockout/Tagout and Machine Safeguarding education workshop.
  Overhead English 02/24/2020
- Hazard Identification and Control
  PowerPoint slides for Oregon OSHA's Hazard ID class.
  Overhead English 01/07/2025

Rules and rule-related

Final Rules
- Division 1, 437-001-0760, Rules for All Workplaces
  Administrative Order 3-2023
- Division 2, Subdivision J, General Environmental Controls
  Administrative Order 1-2025 Word version
- Division 2, Subdivision O, Machinery and Machine Guarding
  1-2014 Word version
- Division 2, Subdivision R, Special Industries (includes Grain Handling Facilities, Ornamental Tree & Shrub Services, Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills, Sawmills, Telecommunications)
  6-2017 Word version
- Division 2, Subdivision S, Electrical
  3-2015 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision K, Electrical
  2-2007 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision N, Helicopters, Hoists, Elevators, and Conveyors
  1-2011 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision Q, Concrete and Masonry Construction
  1-2003 Word version
- Division 4, Subdivision J, Work Environment
  Administrative Order 1-2025 Word version
- Division 4, Subdivision O, Equipment Guarding
  9-2006 Word version
- Division 7, Subdivision H, Machines Used in Forest Activities
  2-2014 Word version
Interpretations
- Fire fighters and lockout/tagout
  12/05/1996
- Lockout device removed by employer
  02/15/1993
- Periodic inspection
  09/11/2007
- Train workers in a manner they understand
  05/04/2010
Program Directives
- Citations: Paperwork and Written Program Violations
  Purpose: The purpose of this instruction is to revise and clarify Oregon OSHA's policy regarding issuance of citations for violation of "paperwork" and "written program" requirements.
  A-216 05/06/2016
- Control of Hazardous Energy – Enforcement Policy and Inspection Procedures (Lockout/Tagout)
  Purpose: This directive establishes OR-OSHA's enforcement policy for its standards addressing the control of hazardous energy. It instructs OR-OSHA enforcement personnel on both the agency's interpretations of those standards, and on the procedures for enforcing them.
  A-156 12/12/2016
- Electrical Safety
  Purpose: To provide inspection guidelines relating to OR-OSHA's rules addressing work practices and procedures for electrical safety.
  A-164 10/21/1993
- National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Amputations
  Purpose: This directive describes policies and procedures for implementing a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to identify and reduce workplace machinery and equipment hazards which may cause amputations.
  A-280 06/01/2020
- Worker Inspection Criteria: Temporary Service Providers and Leasing Companies
  Purpose: To provide guidance to Oregon OSHA staff when working with temporary service providers and worker leasing companies.
  A-246 12/17/2015

Video Resources

Borrow from the Resource Center

Hazardous Energy
See available titles
Borrow DVDs about Hazardous Energy from the Resource Center
Lockout/Tagout
See available titles
Borrow DVDs about Lockout/Tagout from the Resource Center

Watch Online

English
- To The Point About Lockout/Tagout (TrainingVideoNow)
  The unexpected starting of machines or other unplanned releases of hazardous energy can have devastating consequences. Controlling hazardous energy can prevent injuries and save lives.
  Language: English Length: 13 minutes
Spanish
- Al Punto Sobre Cerrado / Etiquetado (TrainingVideoNow)
  To The Point About Lockout/Tagout (TrainingVideoNow)
  The unexpected starting of machines or other unplanned releases of hazardous energy can have devastating consequences. Controlling hazardous energy can prevent injuries and save lives.
  Language: Spanish Length: 13 minutes