Conducting a Periodic Inspection for Each Procedure in a Hazardous Energy Control (Lockout/Tagout) Program (NIOSH)

Employers are required by 29 CFR* § 1910.147(c)(6) to conduct a periodic inspection of written hazardous energy control (lockout/tagout) procedures.  The inspection must be performed at least once annually [per 12-month interval, as stated in 1910.147(c)(6)(i)] because of the significant risks associated with inadequate energy control procedures or the failure to properly implement them [OSHA 2008].  In accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends best practices for conducting an annual periodic inspection of each energy control procedure as part of an energy control (lockout/tagout) program.  Legal requirements are established in 29 CFR § 1910.147 and their enforcement is described in the OSHA document The Control of Hazardous Energy—Enforcement Policy and Inspection Procedures. OSHA Instruction Directive No. CPL 02‒00‒147 [OSHA 2008]. However, compliance with the regulations is based solely on the CFR. No wording in this document, national standards, the directive or other document supersedes the requirements in the CFR.

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