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Lockout/Tagout for Electrical Work

Lockout and tagout are simple ideas. Make a machine safe by cutting off its energy, then make sure nobody turns it back on while you work. Doing it consistently is what takes discipline.

What do lockout and tagout mean?

Lockout means placing a lock on an energy-isolating device, such as a disconnect or breaker, so it cannot be switched on. Tagout means attaching a visible warning tag with the name of the person working. Used together, they protect a person from machines that start unexpectedly or from stored energy that is released.

The idea applies to electrical power and also to other energy sources such as pressure, fuel, springs, gravity and heat.

Why does it matter on farms?

Farm equipment is shared, workers come and go, and one person may not know another is inside a machine. A switch flipped by a helper, an automatic timer or a restored breaker has caused serious injuries. Lockout builds a barrier that does not depend on everyone remembering.

Rules on lockout apply differently depending on the type of farm, size of workforce and equipment involved. Check with OSHA, your state plan and your insurer to learn which requirements apply to your operation.

Near misses are valuable. If someone almost restarted a machine that a person was working on, talk about it without blame and fix whatever gap allowed it.

What does a lockout routine generally include?

Official standards and training programs set out the exact steps, and they should be your guide. In general terms, a good routine includes the following ideas. For the detailed required procedure, use OSHA materials and a recognized trainer, not this page.

• Plan the job and know every energy source involved
• Tell the people who could be affected
• Shut the equipment down in the normal way
• Isolate it at the disconnect or other energy device
• Apply your own lock and tag
• Deal with stored energy as the manual and training direct
• Verify that the equipment cannot start before working on it
• Remove locks only by the person who placed them, after the area is clear

Who needs to be involved?

Everyone who works around the equipment should understand the purpose of locks and tags and respect them. Each worker should use a personal lock so that no one else can remove it. If a lock is left behind, follow a written plan rather than cutting it off casually.

Teenagers, seasonal workers and visitors need training and clear instructions. A tag that says do not operate is useless if nobody knows what it means.

Include a plan for shift changes and long jobs, since work that spans several days or crews is where locks get forgotten or removed by mistake.

What equipment is needed?

Locks, tags, hasps and clearly labeled disconnects are inexpensive compared to an injury. Equipment should be made for the job and keep its markings in all weather. Panels and disconnects should be labeled so the right device is used for the right machine. Ask your electrician to help label them.

Never rely on a switch alone, since switches can be bumped, and never rely on a control circuit stop button as your only protection.

Store lockout devices in a visible place near the equipment they protect, and check them each season for cracks, rust and missing parts.

What about electrical work specifically?

Work on wiring, panels and electrical equipment belongs to qualified people. Lockout is one part of the protection, and testing to confirm power is off requires training and proper instruments. Farm staff who are not trained should not open panels or test circuits. Hire a licensed electrician when needed.

If you have a utility service, work involving the utility's equipment should be arranged through the utility.

How do you start a program?

Walk the farm with a notepad. List each machine, how it is powered, where it can be shut off and who services it. Then ask OSHA, your insurer, Extension or a safety trainer for templates and training. Review the plan each year and after any incident or near miss.

In an emergency involving shock or entanglement, call 911.

Keep records of who is trained and when. Training should be repeated for new workers and refreshed periodically, especially if equipment or procedures change. Ask whether your insurer or local safety program offers training at low or no cost.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.