Lockout Tagout 2026

Hazardous energy kills workers every year — and almost every one of those deaths was preventable. The procedures aren’t complicated. The equipment isn’t expensive. People die because they skip steps, take shortcuts, or were never properly trained in the first place. This course fixes that.

I’m Steve Wilmes, founder of Wilmes LLC Risk Control Services. I’ve spent over thirty years in the safety and risk control industry working with construction crews, maintenance teams, and facility operations across California. My company serves over 180 clients, and I’ve seen firsthand what happens when lockout/tagout procedures are treated as a formality instead of a life-saving process.

This course is built around Cal/OSHA Title 8, Section 3314 — California’s Control of Hazardous Energy standard. We start with why LOTO matters, backed by the injury and fatality statistics that make the case. Then we walk through every type of hazardous energy you need to account for — electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, chemical, gravitational, and stored energy. You’ll learn the key definitions, the difference between authorized and affected employees, what qualifies as an energy isolating device, and what zero energy state actually means.

The core of the course is the 6-step LOTO process: preparation, notification, shutdown, isolation, verification, and safe work. We go through each step in detail. You’ll also learn group lockout/tagout procedures, the Cal/OSHA requirements for tags (50-pound strength, non-reusable, weather-resistant), annual inspection requirements, and what training is required for each type of employee.

What you’ll learn:

• Cal/OSHA Title 8 Section 3314 regulatory requirements
• All 8 types of hazardous energy and where they hide in your workplace
• The complete 6-step lockout/tagout process with detailed procedures
• LOTO equipment requirements — padlocks, tags, hasps, breaker locks, valve locks
• Group lockout/tagout procedures for multi-person jobs
• Releasing from lockout safely
• Annual inspection and training requirements by employee classification
• How to verify zero energy state before putting your hands on equipment

Who this course is for:

• Maintenance workers, mechanics, and technicians who service equipment
• Facility operations and building maintenance staff
• Supervisors and safety managers who oversee LOTO programs
• Any employee who works in areas where lockout/tagout procedures are used