OSHA requires LOTO training for three categories of employees: (1) Authorized employees – workers who perform the lockout/tagout and service equipment; (2) Affected employees – workers who operate machines being serviced or work in areas where LOTO is performed; (3) Other employees – anyone who works in areas where energy control procedures may be used. Each group requires different levels of training. All employees must understand the purpose and procedures of LOTO.

eTraining’s Lockout Tagout course takes approximately 1 hour to complete online. The course is self-paced and covers all OSHA-required knowledge topics. You can pause and resume at any time as long as you use the same device.

The six standard steps of the LOTO procedure are: (1) Preparation – identify all energy sources and plan the shutdown; (2) Notification – inform all affected employees; (3) Shutdown – turn off the machine using normal operating procedures; (4) Isolation – disconnect or isolate all energy sources; (5) Lockout/Tagout – apply locks and/or tags to all energy-isolating devices; (6) Verification – test the equipment to confirm all energy has been released and the machine is de-energized. After servicing, the procedure is reversed in a controlled startup sequence.

LOTO covers all forms of hazardous energy that could injure workers during servicing, including: electrical energy (from power lines, batteries, capacitors), mechanical energy (from rotating parts, springs, flywheels), hydraulic energy (from pressurized fluid systems), pneumatic energy (from compressed air/gas), chemical energy (from chemical reactions or stored chemicals), thermal energy (from hot surfaces, steam), and gravitational energy (from suspended loads, elevated components). All sources must be identified and controlled.

OSHA does not set a specific expiration date for LOTO training. However, OSHA requires retraining when: job assignments change, new machines or energy control procedures are introduced, periodic inspections reveal inadequate knowledge, or the employer has reason to believe training is insufficient. OSHA also requires annual periodic inspections of energy control procedures. Many employers require annual LOTO refresher training as best practice.

Lockout uses a physical lock placed on an energy-isolating device (such as a circuit breaker or valve) that prevents the device from being operated. Only the authorized employee who applied the lock has the key. Tagout uses a prominent warning tag attached to the energy-isolating device that warns against operation. OSHA prefers lockout over tagout because locks provide a physical barrier. Tagout alone is only permitted when equipment is not capable of being locked out.

OSHA requires employers to conduct periodic inspections of energy control procedures at least annually. Each inspection must: (1) be performed by an authorized employee other than the one using the procedure; (2) review each authorized employee’s responsibilities; (3) correct any deviations or inadequacies; (4) be documented with the date, equipment, employees inspected, and the inspector’s identity. These inspections ensure procedures remain effective.

Yes. eTraining offers the complete Lockout Tagout (LOTO) Training course in Spanish. The Spanish version covers the same OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 content and provides the same personalized certificate and wallet card upon completion.

 Yes. eTraining’s LOTO course covers all OSHA-required knowledge-based training topics including hazardous energy identification, energy control procedures, lockout/tagout device use, and employee responsibilities. Employers should supplement online training with site-specific instruction on their particular energy control procedures, lockout devices, and equipment.