621 Controlling Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)

Lockout/Tagout Inspections

Periodic inspections help employers discover and correct program deficiencies. Each energy control procedure must be inspected at least annually by an authorized employee. The authorized employee who inspects an energy control procedure cannot be an employee who is following that specific procedure at the time of the inspection.

Inspections of energy control procedures can be scheduled or random audits. The authorized employee who does the inspection must understand the energy control procedure and must not be among those following the procedure at the time of the inspection. A successful inspection confirms that:

• The energy control procedure is correct.
• The energy control procedure is being followed.
• The energy control procedure addresses all energy sources.
• Employees understand the energy control procedure.
• Employees understand their energy control responsibilities.

The employer must certify that the periodic inspections have been performed. The certification must identify:

• the machine or equipment on which the energy control procedure was being utilized,
• the date of the inspection,
• the employees included in the inspection, and
• the person performing the inspection.

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