Lockout/Tagout Training Requirements in North Carolina: NC OSH Rules and Citation Data

North Carolina adopts federal 1910.147 verbatim and adds a written-plan requirement of its own. Seven of NCDOL’s 25 most-cited serious standards last year were lockout subparagraphs, and a new amputation emphasis program took effect in March 2026. What employers need in place.

North Carolina is an OSHA State Plan state that adopts federal standards verbatim, so lockout/tagout in North Carolina is 29 CFR 1910.147 as written, effective in the state since July 5, 1990. North Carolina adds a general overlay in 13 NCAC 07A: a written compliance plan is required for lockout/tagout where it applies, and training must meet every applicable OSHA training requirement and be delivered by someone trained to recognize, evaluate and control the hazards. NCDOL’s own citation data shows why this matters: in fiscal 2024–2025, seven of the 25 most frequently cited serious general industry standards were 1910.147 subparagraphs, led by energy control procedures (60 citations), periodic inspection (45) and authorized employee training (31). A Special Emphasis Program for Amputations (OPN 149B) took effect March 9, 2026. There is no North Carolina license or approved course.

The Rule as Adopted

1910.147 verbatim: energy control program and machine-specific procedures (c)(4); periodic inspection at least annually with certification (c)(6); training for authorized, affected and other employees (c)(7)(i); retraining triggers (c)(7)(iii); certification with each employee’s name and dates (c)(7)(iv).
NC overlay, 13 NCAC 07A .0603(b): a written compliance plan for lockout/tagout when applicable. 13 NCAC 07A .0606: training meets all applicable OSHA training requirements and is given by a person trained to recognize, evaluate and control the hazards.
Enforcement: NCDOL applies OSHA’s directive CPL 02-00-147 on the control of hazardous energy, and its own OPN 149B targets about 40 industries using 2021–2024 North Carolina amputation data. Sites in SHARP, Carolina Star or a consultation deferral are exempt from programmed inspections under the program.

What NCDOL Cited Most, Fiscal 2024–2025

Rank (general industry, serious)	Standard	Citations
1	1910.212(a)(1), machine guarding	70
2	1910.147(c)(4)(i), energy control procedures	60
4	1910.147(c)(6)(i), periodic inspection	45
5	1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A), authorized employee training	31
7	1910.147(c)(1), energy control program	23

Does North Carolina Require a Lockout/Tagout License or Approved Course?

No. NCDOL does not approve or license lockout training. It expects the written plan, machine-specific procedures, the annual inspection certification and the (c)(7)(iv) training certification. NCDOL publishes an example lockout/tagout energy control program (short and long versions) and a presentation.

How Online Lockout/Tagout Training Fits in North Carolina

NC OSH does not approve or license lockout/tagout courses. The rule asks the employer to train authorized employees to recognize hazardous energy and apply the isolation methods, to teach affected employees the purpose and use of the procedure, and to tell everyone else not to restart locked-out equipment; then to keep a written certification of who was trained and when. Shield’s lockout/tagout course covers the knowledge portion in 40 to 55 minutes, in English or Spanish: energy sources, lockout devices, the six-step procedure, group lockout and shift change, with a 10-question exam, a certificate and a phone wallet card. The part no course can do is your site’s machine-specific procedures; walk the authorized employees through those, then log the training with our free certification tool.

Lockout/tagout step-by-step checklist (printable)

Free tool: fill in and print the lockout/tagout training certification (employee, role, procedures covered, trainer, date)

Frequently asked questions

Does North Carolina require a written lockout program?

Yes, twice over: 1910.147(c)(1) requires an energy control program and 13 NCAC 07A .0603(b) requires a written compliance plan for lockout/tagout where it applies.

Who can train lockout employees in North Carolina?

Under 13 NCAC 07A .0606, training must be given by a person trained to recognize, evaluate and control the hazards. An online course from a qualified program covers the knowledge portion; your trainer covers the machine-specific procedures.

What are NC inspectors citing most on lockout?

Missing or inadequate machine-specific procedures, missing annual inspections, and missing authorized-employee training, in that order, per NCDOL’s fiscal 2024–2025 data.

What does the training certification need?

Each employee’s name and dates of training (1910.147(c)(7)(iv)). Our free tool adds the role, trainer and procedures covered.

Lockout/tagout training in other states

Related North Carolina guides

Sources: NCDOL Lockout/Tagout topic page; NCDOL CFR 106, Control of Hazardous Energy Sources final rule (NC effective July 5, 1990); NCDOL: General industry standards requiring programs, inspections, procedures, records and training (13 NCAC 07A); NCDOL top 25 most frequently cited serious standards, 2024–2025; NCDOL OPN 149B, Special Emphasis Program for Amputations; NCDOL example lockout/tagout energy control program; OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147, The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout); OSHA Lockout/Tagout fact sheet (FS-3529); OSHA Lockout/Tagout fact sheet, Spanish (FS-4416)

Lockout/Tagout Safety Certification, $59, English and Spanish, for authorized and affected employees, training certification tool included.