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Exclusive control of a plug during equipment servicing

Summary An employer asked what exclusive control of a plug means while servicing cord-connected equipment. OSHA said the worker must be able to prevent re-energization, such as by holding the plug, keeping it within sight and reach, or locking it out.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1993-06-30-1
Date issued
June 30, 1993
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent current policy.
Status last verified October 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Lockout Tagout
Source
View the official document

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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

June 30, 1993

Ms. Cheryl A. Hansen
Librarian
Engineering Systems, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Ms. Hansen:

This is in response to your April 7 letter which requested an interpretation of 29 CFR 1910.147(a)(2)(iii)(a) as to what "under the exclusive control of the employee" means with respect to cord and plug connected electric equipment.

"Under the exclusive control of the employee" means that the authorized employee would be able to prevent the equipment from becoming reenergized during his or her servicing or maintenance of that equipment. The plug is under the exclusive control of the employee if it is physically in the possession of the employee, or within arms reach and in line of sight of the employee, or if the employee has affixed a lockout/tagout device on the plug in compliance with the 29 CFR 1910.147.

Thank you for your interest in occupational safety and health. If we can be of further assistance, please contact us.

Sincerely,
Roger A. Clark, Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs

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