The requirement in plain words
29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(i): when servicing or maintenance is performed by a crew, craft, department or other group, they shall use a procedure that gives the employees a level of protection equivalent to a personal lockout or tagout device.
Paragraph (f)(3)(ii) says group lockout or tagout devices are used under the written procedures required by (c)(4), including at least these four requirements:
| Requirement | What it means on the floor | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Primary responsibility is vested in an authorized employee for a set number of employees working under the group device (such as an operations lock) | One named person owns the group lockout. The group size is known and written on the log. | (f)(3)(ii)(A) |
| The authorized employee can ascertain the exposure status of each group member | The person in charge can tell at any moment who is still working on the machine, usually from the personal locks on the lockbox and a sign-in sheet. | (f)(3)(ii)(B) |
| With more than one crew, craft or department, overall lockout control is assigned to an authorized employee who coordinates the work forces and ensures continuity of protection | A job coordinator above the crew leads, for example on a shutdown with electricians, millwrights and a contractor. | (f)(3)(ii)(C) |
| Each authorized employee affixes a personal lockout or tagout device to the group lockout device, group lockbox or comparable mechanism when starting work and removes it when stopping | No personal lock on the box, no work. The box cannot be opened, so the isolation keys cannot be used, until the last personal lock comes off. | (f)(3)(ii)(D) |
How a group lockbox procedure works, step by step
- Name the primary authorized employee and, for a multi-crew job, the overall coordinator. Write both on the group lockout log.
- Prepare for shutdown: the primary authorized employee identifies every energy source from the machine-specific procedure (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, gravity, springs, thermal, chemical) and notifies affected employees ((d)(1), (c)(9)).
- Shut down the machine by the normal stopping procedure ((d)(2)).
- Isolate and lock every energy isolating device with the group (operations) locks, and tag them ((d)(3), (d)(4)).
- Release or restrain stored energy: bleed hydraulics and air, block raised parts, discharge capacitors ((d)(5)).
- Verify isolation: try the start controls and test for zero energy ((d)(6)); returning the controls to off afterwards is good practice.
- Put the keys of the group locks in the lockbox and close it. The primary authorized employee applies their personal lock first.
- Each group member applies a personal lock to the lockbox (or a hasp on it) before starting work and signs the log. A member may verify isolation for themselves before starting.
- During the job, the primary authorized employee keeps track of who is still exposed: a lock on the box means that person may still be in the danger zone.
- Each member removes their own lock when they stop working on the machine, and signs out.
- Restore energy only when the last personal lock is off: check the machine and area and make sure everyone is clear; the primary authorized employee opens the box and removes the group locks; notify affected employees that the locks are off; then re-energize ((c)(9), (e)(1)-(e)(3)).
If a personal lock is left on the box and its owner has gone home, the removal rules in (e)(3) apply: verify that person is not at the facility, make all reasonable efforts to contact them, and make sure they know before they resume work. That exception is only available where the specific removal procedure and training are developed, documented and included in your energy control program, so write those steps in, with who is allowed to remove a lock.
Shift changes and contractors
Shift changes. 1910.147(f)(4) requires specific procedures during shift or personnel changes to ensure the continuity of protection, including the orderly transfer of lockout or tagout device protection between off-going and oncoming employees. A common way: the oncoming member puts their personal lock on the box before the off-going member removes theirs, and the primary authorized responsibility is handed over in person and recorded on the log.
Outside contractors. Under (f)(2)(i) the on-site employer and the outside employer inform each other of their lockout or tagout procedures, and under (f)(2)(ii) the on-site employer ensures its employees understand and comply with the restrictions of the outside employer's program. For a shared shutdown, agree up front whose group procedure governs and add the contractor's crew lead to the coordination step.
What to record on a group lockout log
- Machine or equipment, date and job description
- Primary authorized employee and, where used, the overall coordinator
- Group lock numbers and the isolation points they are on
- Verification of isolation: who, when, how
- Each member: name, crew or company, lock number, time on, time off
- Shift handovers: off-going and oncoming primary authorized employee, time
- Release: last lock off, area checked, affected employees notified, energy restored, by whom
The standard does not prescribe a log format; the log is how the primary authorized employee shows they can ascertain each member's exposure status under (f)(3)(ii)(B), and it is useful evidence at the annual periodic inspection.
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Questions
What does OSHA require for group lockout?
29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3) requires a procedure that gives each member of the group protection equivalent to a personal lockout or tagout device. At a minimum: one authorized employee has primary responsibility for a set number of employees, can ascertain each member's exposure status, an overall coordinator is assigned when more than one crew or craft is involved, and each authorized employee attaches a personal device to the group lockout device or lockbox when starting work and removes it when stopping.
What happens to group lockout at a shift change?
1910.147(f)(4) requires specific procedures during shift or personnel changes to ensure continuity of protection, including the orderly transfer of lockout or tagout device protection between off-going and oncoming employees.
Does every worker in the group need their own lock?
Every authorized employee does. (f)(3)(ii)(D) requires each authorized employee to affix a personal lockout or tagout device to the group lockout device, group lockbox or comparable mechanism when beginning work, and to remove it when they stop working on the machine.
Can the supervisor hold the group lock for everyone?
Not on its own. A primary authorized employee holds primary responsibility under (f)(3)(ii)(A), but the group procedure still has to give each member protection equivalent to a personal device, and each authorized employee still applies a personal device to the group mechanism.
Do we need a separate written procedure for group lockout?
(f)(3)(ii) says group devices are used in accordance with the procedures required by (c)(4). Most programs add a group lockout section to the written program and refer to it from the machine-specific procedures. See the program template outline.
Is a group lockbox the only way?
No. The standard mentions a group lockout device, group lockbox or comparable mechanism. A multi-lock hasp on a single isolation point is a common alternative for small groups.
Related: Lockout vs tagout: the difference · LOTO procedure example for a hydraulic press brake · Lockout/tagout program template · Lockout/tagout for contractors · Annual periodic inspection
General information based on the text of 29 CFR 1910.147 on OSHA.gov; not legal advice. Check whether an OSHA-approved state plan applies to your workplace.