{
  "name": "Electrical Trade — verified Q&A dataset",
  "mind_slug": "electrical",
  "url": "https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/electrical/dataset.json",
  "hub_url": "https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/electrical",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "attribution": "Source: MIND (m-i-n-d.ai)",
  "jurisdiction": "US Federal + State · OSHA 1910.269/1926K",
  "generated_at": "2026-08-25T22:21:46.259477+00:00",
  "answer_count": 1,
  "answers": [
    {
      "question": "When is lockout/tagout required for electrical work, and what does OSHA require?",
      "question_slug": "lockout-tagout-required-electrical-work",
      "url": "https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/electrical/lockout-tagout-required-electrical-work",
      "jurisdiction": "US Federal · General Industry",
      "direct_answer": "For tax year 2026, lockout/tagout (LOTO) is required under § 1910.333(b) whenever an employee is exposed to contact with parts of fixed electric equipment or circuits that have been deenergized, unless deenergizing introduces additional hazards or is infeasible. OSHA requires that circuits be disconnected from all energy sources, stored energy be released, locks and tags be applied to each disconnecting means, and a qualified person verify deenergization before work begins.",
      "sections": [
        {
          "heading": "Details / How it works",
          "markdown": "Under **29 CFR 1910.333(b)(2)**, lockout and tagging procedures must be followed in a specific sequence when any employee is exposed to contact with parts of fixed electric equipment or circuits that have been deenergized. The employer must maintain a written copy of the procedures (paragraph (b)(2)(i)).\n\n### Step-by-step procedure:\n1. **Deenergizing equipment (§ 1910.333(b)(2)(ii))**: Safe procedures must be determined before deenergizing. Circuits and equipment must be disconnected from all electric energy sources (e.g., disconnect switch, circuit breaker). Control circuit devices like push buttons may not be used as the sole means.\n2. **Release of stored energy**: Stored electric energy (e.g., capacitors) must be discharged and short-circuited/grounded if it might endanger personnel. Stored non-electrical energy (springs, pneumatic devices) must be blocked or relieved.\n3. **Application of locks and tags (§ 1910.333(b)(2)(iii))**: A lock and a tag must be placed on each disconnecting means, unless a lock cannot be applied (then a tag with an additional safety measure may be used) or the employer demonstrates equivalent safety.\n4. **Verification of deenergized condition (§ 1910.333(b)(2)(iv))**: A qualified person must operate the equipment controls to verify it cannot be restarted and must use test equipment to confirm the circuit elements are deenergized. For circuits over 600 volts, the test equipment must be checked immediately before and after the test."
        },
        {
          "heading": "Numbers & thresholds",
          "markdown": "| Requirement | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Voltage threshold for mandatory deenergization | Live parts operating at **less than 50 volts** to ground need not be deenergized if there is no increased exposure to burns or explosion (§ 1910.333(a)(1)). |\n| Lock without tag conditions | (1) Only one circuit or piece of equipment deenergized; (2) lockout period does not extend beyond the work shift; (3) employees are familiar with the procedure (§ 1910.333(b)(2)(iii)(E)). |\n| Lock removal when employee absent | Lock or tag may be removed by a **qualified person designated** to perform the task, provided the employer ensures the absent employee is aware before resuming work (§ 1910.333(b)(2)(v)(C)). |\n| Equivalent compliance with § 1910.147 | Lockout/tagout procedures that comply with paragraphs (c) through (f) of § 1910.147 will also be deemed to comply with § 1910.333(b)(2), provided they address electrical safety hazards and incorporate § 1910.333(b)(2)(iii)(D) and (b)(2)(iv)(B) (§ 1910.333(b)(2), Note 2). |"
        },
        {
          "heading": "Exceptions & edge cases",
          "markdown": "### Exceptions to deenergization requirement\nUnder **§ 1910.333(a)(1)**, live parts **need not be deenergized** if the employer demonstrates that:\n- Deenergizing introduces **additional or increased hazards** (e.g., interruption of life support equipment, deactivation of emergency alarm systems, shutdown of hazardous location ventilation, or removal of illumination for safety); or\n- Deenergizing is **infeasible due to equipment design** or operational limitations (e.g., testing circuits that can only be performed energized, or work on circuits that form an integral part of a continuous industrial process).\n\n### Distinction between lockout and tagout\n- If an energy isolating device **is capable of being locked out**, lockout must be used unless the employer demonstrates that tagout provides **full employee protection** (§ 1910.147(c)(2)(ii)).\n- If a lock **cannot** be applied (e.g., equipment design limitations), a tag may be used without a lock, but must be **supplemented by at least one additional safety measure** (e.g., removal of a fuse, blocking a controlling switch, opening an extra disconnecting device) (§ 1910.333(b)(2)(iii)(C)-(D)).\n\n### Treatment of equipment not locked/tagged\nConductors and parts of electric equipment that have been deenergized but **have not been locked out or tagged** must be treated as **energized parts**, and the energized work practices of § 1910.333(c) apply (§ 1910.333(b)(1)).\n\n### Overhead lines\nIf work is to be performed near overhead lines, the lines must be deenergized and grounded, or other protective measures provided. Unqualified persons must maintain minimum approach distances (10 ft for ≤50 kV, increasing 4 in per 10 kV above 50 kV) (§ 1910.333(c)(3))."
        }
      ],
      "claims": [
        {
          "claim_id": "c1",
          "text": "Lockout/tagout is required under § 1910.333(b) whenever an employee is exposed to contact with parts of fixed electric equipment or circuits that have been deenergized.",
          "source_urls": [
            "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XVII/part-1910/subpart-S/section-1910.333"
          ]
        },
        {
          "claim_id": "c2",
          "text": "OSHA requires that circuits be disconnected from all electric energy sources, stored energy be released, locks and tags be applied to each disconnecting means, and a qualified person verify deenergization before work begins.",
          "source_urls": [
            "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XVII/part-1910/subpart-S/section-1910.333"
          ]
        },
        {
          "claim_id": "c3",
          "text": "Live parts operating at less than 50 volts to ground need not be deenergized if there is no increased exposure to burns or explosion.",
          "source_urls": [
            "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XVII/part-1910/subpart-S/section-1910.333"
          ]
        },
        {
          "claim_id": "c4",
          "text": "Deenergization may be avoided if it introduces additional or increased hazards or is infeasible due to equipment design.",
          "source_urls": [
            "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XVII/part-1910/subpart-S/section-1910.333"
          ]
        },
        {
          "claim_id": "c5",
          "text": "If a lock cannot be applied, a tag may be used without a lock but must be supplemented by at least one additional safety measure.",
          "source_urls": [
            "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XVII/part-1910/subpart-S/section-1910.333"
          ]
        }
      ],
      "citations": [
        {
          "claim_id": "c1",
          "source_name": "29 CFR 1910.333 — Selection and Use of Work Practices",
          "source_org": "U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) — codified at 29 CFR",
          "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XVII/part-1910/subpart-S/section-1910.333",
          "doc_id": "a7a66f79-62de-4a75-bf43-fbb77c6466f9",
          "as_of": "2026-08-25",
          "checked_at": "2026-08-25",
          "http_status": 200,
          "content_hash": "25bebbc6327f88e9"
        }
      ],
      "status": "published",
      "last_verified": "2026-08-25"
    }
  ]
}