Motor-control-circuit switches and relays are prohibited from being used as energy isolating devices.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

July 15, 2003

Mr. David Teague
Project Engineer
James Hardie Building Products
10901 Elm Avenue
Fontana, CA 992337

Dear Mr. Teague:

Clarification on the USPS's lockout/tagout procedures and minor servicing operations for the multiple line optical character recognition sorter.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

June 11, 2003

Name Withheld

Thank you for your January 28 letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding a United States Postal Service (USPS) Lockout/Tagout procedure specific to the Multiple Line Optical Character Recognition (MLOCR) sorter. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation only of the requirements discussed and may not be applicable to any questions not delineated within your original correspondence. Your paraphrased scenario, question, and our response are provided below:

Requirements for developing sufficiently-detailed written procedures for all machinery/equipment lockout/tagout.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

January 14, 2003

Richard S. Jones, P.E.
Principal
TriTex Technologies, Inc.
4611 Langland Road, Suite 104
Dallas, Texas 75244

Dear Mr. Jones:

Interpretation/variance with the energy isolation device requirements.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

January 5, 1998

Mr. Richard J. Hackman
The Proctor & Gamble Company
Ivorydale Technical Center
5299 Spring Grove Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45217-1087

Dear Mr Hackman:

This is in response to your November 8, 1996 letter and enclosure, requesting interpretation/variance with the energy isolation device requirements of 29 CFR 1910.147. Please accept our apology for the delay in responding.

Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) standard.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

June 23, 1997

Mr. Stanley G. Cothrin
Department of Safety and Hygiene
ASARCO Incorporated
3422 South 700 West
Salt Lake City, Utah 84119


Dear Mr. Cothrin:

This is in response to your May 1 letter request for interpretation of the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) standard, 29 CFR 1910.147.

Request for Compliance Assistance on High Profile Case.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

April 23, 1997

Lock out/Tag out periodic inspection requirements.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

March 9, 2004

Thomas J. Civic
Manager of Safety & Industrial Hygiene
Bethlehem Steel Corporation
1170 Eighth Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18016-7699

Dear Mr. Civic:

Permit-Required Confined Spaces and Lockout/Tagout.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

November 6, 1996

William K. Principe
Constangy, Brooks, & Smith, LLC
Suite 2400
230 Peachtree Street, N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30303-1557

Dear Mr. Principe:

This is in response to your letter of July 23, to Mr. John B. Miles, Jr. requesting interpretative guidance for paragraph (c)(7) of 29 CFR 1910.146 - Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS) standard. The responses to questions raised are set forth below.

Maintenance activities performed in oil and gas production operations.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

November 1, 1996

Mr. P. R. Larsen
Senior Consultant
Energy and Chemical Risk Consultants
800 Camino Del Rex
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001

Dear Mr. Larsen:

Enforcement of the Control of Hazardous Energy (LOTO).

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

October 30, 1996