What is the employer's obligation in establishing energy control procedures?

Employers must develop, document, and use specific procedures to control potentially hazardous energy when employees are servicing equipment or machinery [29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i)].

Under what limited situations is documentation of the procedures not required? [29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i)]. NOTE: Exception: The employer need not document the required procedure for a particular machine or equipment, when all of the following elements exist:

• The machine or equipment has no potential for stored or residual energy, or for reaccumulation of stored energy after shut down, which could endanger employees.

• The machine or equipment has a single energy source that can be readily identified and isolated.

• The isolation and locking out of that energy source will completely deenergize and deactivate the machine or equipment.

• The machine or equipment is isolated from that energy source and locked out during servicing or maintenance.

• A single lockout device will achieve a locked-out condition.

• The lockout device is under the exclusive control of the authorized employee performing the servicing or maintenance.

• The servicing or maintenance does not create hazards for other employees.

• The employer has had no accidents involving the unexpected activation or reenergization of machines or equipment during servicing or maintenance.