OSHA Training Requirements

Those who will perform servicing or maintenance (authorized employees) must be trained to:

• Recognize hazardous energy sources and understand the energy type and magnitude
• Identify and properly operate the applicable energy-isolating devices
• Safely apply and remove lockout/tagout devices

Those who operate the machinery or work in the area where LO/TO is performed (affected employees) must be trained to:

• Recognize when lockout / tagout activities are in progress
• Understand the purpose of the energy control program and the importance of not tampering with lockout / tagout devices when encountered in the workplace
• Additional training is required when using tagout instead of lockout. See Section (C)(7)(ii) in the 1910.147 standard.

Employers must document when training took place, who attended, and the topics covered. Employees must be retrained under the following situations:

• Employee assigned to new job
• Change made to energy control policies or procedures
• Machinery installed or modified, presenting a new hazard
• Whenever the employer has reason to believe that there are problems with the employee’s understanding or use of the procedures
• Authorized employees must undergo an annual review to ensure they fully understand their responsibilities under the program