J19 Lockout, Machine Guarding and Electrical Safety

Law. Regulation respecting occupational health and safety, Division XXI (machines, including ss. 185 to 188) and ss. 195 to 207 (lockout and other energy control methods) (Regulation respecting occupational health and safety [QC], 2026, ss. 185-207); Safety Code for the construction industry, ss. 5.2.1 to 5.2.2 (power lines) (Safety Code for the construction industry [QC], 2026, ss. 5.2.1-5.2.2).

What must be covered.

• Lockout. Before any work in a machine’s danger zone, lockout or, failing that, another energy control method (s. 196); “Lockout must be carried out by every person having access to the danger zone of a machine” (s. 197); “lockout” means installing an individually keyed lock (s. 195); another method only after an analysis that shows equivalent safety (s. 198); written procedures for every machine (ss. 199-200), with deactivation, isolation, lockout and verification steps (s. 201); training (s. 202); written authorization and co-ordination for outside employers (ss. 203-204); the employer supplies individually keyed locks (s. 205); controlled removal of a forgotten lock (s. 206); the same rules apply to work on electrical installations (s. 207).

• Guarding. Means of protection may not be removed except as the Division allows; control devices designed to avoid accidental start-up (ss. 186-188).

• Power lines. No one performs work liable to bring a part, load, scaffolding, machine component or person closer than (Safety Code for the construction industry [QC], 2026, s. 5.2.1):

  Voltage between phases	Minimum approach distance
  Less than 125,000 V	3 m
  125,000 to 250,000 V	5 m
  250,000 to 550,000 V	8 m
  More than 550,000 V	12 m

• Closer work. Only if the line is turned off, the employer has an agreement with the power company on safety measures, or extensible equipment has an engineer-certified limiting device (s. 5.2.2).

Fire-service nuance.

• No emergency relief from the approach distances. Quebec’s distances at 125 kV and above are the largest in Canada.
• Electrical and gas installation codes and licensing sit under the Building Act and the Construction Code; they were not read for this page.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (RSST ss. 185-207 and Construction Code ss. 5.2.1-5.2.2 read in the consolidations of 2026-07-01). Code adoption and licensing were not checked.

Law. General Regulation 91-191, ss. 239 to 243 (lockout and guarding) and s. 289 (working distances for unqualified persons) (General Regulation: Occupational Health and Safety Act [NB], 2026, ss. 239-243, 289).

What must be covered.

• Lockout. Lockable energy-isolating devices, personal safety locks and keys, and a written lockout procedure with training; work starts only after a zero energy state is confirmed and a personal lock and a tag with name, date and time are applied (s. 239); a code of practice where lockout is not appropriate (s. 240).

• Guarding. Ss. 241 to 243.

• Limits of approach. An employee who is not a qualified person does no work liable to bring any person or object closer to an energized utility line or utility line equipment than (s. 289(1)):

  Phase-to-phase voltage	Distance
  Up to 750 V	900 mm
  750 V to 100,000 V	3.6 m
  100,001 V to 250,000 V	5.2 m
  250,001 V to 345,000 V	6.1 m

• Closer work. The employer contacts the authority that owns or operates the line and ensures it is de-energized or adequately insulated or guarded before the work begins (s. 289(2)).

Fire-service nuance.

• No emergency relief from s. 289. New Brunswick’s distances in the 750 V to 100 kV band (3.6 m) are larger than most jurisdictions’.
• Electrical installation and gas codes and licensing were not read for this page.

Status. Verified against the official text (consolidated to 2026-06-30): ss. 239 to 243 and 289 read on 2026-10-24.

Law. Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Part 10 (lockout, ss. 10.1 to 10.12), Part 12 (tools, machinery and equipment, ss. 12.2-12.3) and Part 19 (electrical safety, ss. 19.24 to 19.29) (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation [BC], 2026, ss. 10.1-10.12, 12.2-12.3, 19.24-19.29). Codes: the BC Electrical Code adopted under the Safety Standards Act and the Electrical Safety Regulation (Technical Safety BC, 2024).

What must be covered.

• Lockout. When lockout is required (s. 10.3); lockout procedures available to every worker who works on the equipment, with personal locks marked to identify the person applying them (s. 10.4); verification of isolation (s. 10.6); lock removal (s. 10.8); group lockout (s. 10.9); alternatives to lockout (s. 10.10); work on energized equipment (s. 10.12).

• Guarding. Safeguards on machinery (s. 12.2), designed to CSA Z432-94 (s. 12.3).

• Limits of approach. People, tools, machines, material and equipment keep at least these distances from exposed energized conductors (s. 19.24.1, Table 19-1A):

  Voltage (phase to phase)	Minimum approach distance
  Over 750 V to 75 kV	3 m (10 ft)
  Over 75 kV to 250 kV	4.5 m (15 ft)
  Over 250 kV to 550 kV	6 m (20 ft)

• Passing under. Smaller clearances apply when moving equipment under conductors without doing other work: 2 m, 3 m and 4 m for the same bands (s. 19.24.2, Table 19-1B).

• Closer work. Written assurance from the power system owner where the distances cannot be kept (s. 19.25); qualified workers may work closer only with the owner’s authorization and acceptable procedures (s. 19.29).

• Electrical code. CSA C22.1-24, the 26th edition of the Canadian Electrical Code, is adopted as the BC Electrical Code effective 2025-03-04 (Technical Safety BC, 2024).

Fire-service nuance.

• The relief, verbatim. “Sections 19.24 to 19.27 do not apply to emergency actions close to energized high voltage electrical equipment or conductors carried out by workers who have undergone a course of instruction approved by the Board” (s. 19.28(1)). During emergency actions, all reasonable precautions are taken where practicable: restricting entry, a safety watcher, no one but the operator touching moving equipment, and the operator at the controls on the machine or a bonded mat (s. 19.28(2)).
• The relief depends on a Board-approved course; a department that has not trained its members to one has no relief.
• Part 31 requires written procedures for electrical emergencies where the service responds to them (s. 31.5(2)); see J12 Fire Service OHS Rules and Fireground Operations.
• WorkSafeBC reports amendments on automotive lifts in Part 12 due 2027-03-01 (WorkSafeBC, 2026b).

Status. Verified against the official text (consolidation current to 2026-10-20): Parts 10 and 12 and ss. 19.24 to 19.29 read on 2026-10-24. The Safety Standards Act and regulation names and the code adoption date are taken from the bulletin, which was not re-read; the 2027 amendment is from a WorkSafeBC magazine article.

Law. Occupational Health and Safety Code, Part 15 (managing the control of hazardous energy, ss. 212 to 215.6), Part 22 (safeguards, ss. 310 to 322), Part 25 (tools, equipment and machinery, ss. 362 to 385) and Part 17 (overhead power lines, ss. 225 to 227, Schedule 4) (Occupational Health and Safety Code [AB], 2025, ss. 212-215.6, 225-227, 310-322, 362-385, Sch. 4). Codes: the Safety Codes Act and its electrical and gas code regulations.

What must be covered.

• Lockout. Hazardous energy control under Part 15, including emergency removal of a lock (s. 215.3(2)).

• Guarding. Safeguards under Part 22 and machinery rules under Part 25.

• Limits of approach. Before work is done or equipment is operated within 7 m of an overhead power line, the employer determines the voltage and sets the safe limit of approach distance from Schedule 4 (s. 225(1)); the distance is kept by workers and equipment (s. 225(2), (5)); work closer needs notice to and the assistance of the line operator (s. 225(3)):

  Voltage	Safe limit of approach
  0 to 750 V, insulated or polyethylene-covered conductors	300 mm
  0 to 750 V, bare, uninsulated	1.0 m
  Above 750 V, insulated conductors	1.0 m
  750 V to 40 kV	3.0 m
  69 kV, 72 kV	3.5 m
  138 kV, 144 kV	4.0 m
  230 kV, 260 kV	5.0 m
  500 kV	7.0 m

• Transported loads. The distances do not apply to a load, equipment or building transported under a line if the total height is less than 4.15 m (s. 226).

• Electrical code. The 2024 Canadian Electrical Code is reported in force from 2025-04-01.

Fire-service nuance.

• No emergency relief from the approach distances. Aerial devices and ground ladders near lines are bound by Schedule 4; see J15 Equipment Inspection, Ladders and Aerial Devices.
• The Code’s third review group (2025-2026) includes how technical standards are referenced.

Status. Verified against the official text (Code consolidated to 2025-03-31): Parts 15, 17, 22 and 25 and Schedule 4 read on 2026-10-24. Code adoption and the Safety Codes Act regulations were not read.

Law. The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020, ss. 10-2 to 10-7 (machinery, guarding and lockout) and s. 30-16 with Table 19 (overhead power lines) (The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 [SK], 2021, ss. 10-2-10-7, 30-16).

What must be covered.

• Lockout. A written lockout process, a personal lock and key for each worker, a controlled duplicate key with a log, and isolation of power tools (s. 10-6); written procedures for work on equipment that must stay in motion (s. 10-7).

• Guarding. Controls, unattended machines, safeguards and start-up warnings (ss. 10-2 to 10-5).

• Limits of approach. Non-electrical workers, materials and equipment keep these distances (s. 30-16(4), Table 19):

  Voltage (phase to phase)	Minimum distance
  Up to 25 kV	3 m
  72 kV and 138 kV	4.6 m
  230 kV	6.1 m

• Vehicles on public roads. Vehicles and loads travelling on a public road keep 0.6 m (to 25 kV), 0.8 m (72 kV), 1.22 m (138 kV) and 1.83 m (230 kV) (s. 30-16(9)).

Fire-service nuance.

• No emergency relief from the approach distances.
• The public-road distances are for travelling vehicles, not for an aerial device set up at a scene.
• Electrical and gas installation codes, inspection and licensing sit in separate statutes not read for this page.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (consolidation last updated 2021-04-01). Code adoption and licensing were not checked.

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, ss. 16.4 to 16.17 (machine and tool safety and lockout), Part 25 (overhead power lines, ss. 25.1 to 25.7) and Part 38 (electrical safety, s. 38.7) (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 16.4-16.17, 25.1-25.7, 38.7).

What must be covered.

• Lockout. Lockout under ss. 16.14 to 16.17.
• Guarding. Machine and tool safety under ss. 16.4 to 16.13.
• Overhead lines. Part 25 applies within 3 m of an overhead line; before work or equipment comes within 3 m, the employer notifies the electrical authority and obtains its written confirmation or instructions (ss. 25.1, 25.4-25.6); contact procedures (s. 25.7). There is no voltage-graded table.
• Exposed energized equipment. Work near it is done so as to prevent contact (s. 38.7).

Fire-service nuance.

• No emergency relief. With no voltage-graded table, adopt a table by policy (for example the national pattern of 3 m to 25 kV and more for higher voltages) and the utility’s responder guidance.
• Electrical licensing and inspection sit in separate statutes not read for this page.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (regulation current to 2026-10-20). Code adoption and licensing were not checked.

Law. Reg. 851, Industrial Establishments, ss. 24 to 26 (guarding), s. 42 (electrical lockout), s. 60 (power lines) and ss. 75 to 76 (machine lockout) (Industrial Establishments [ON], 2026, ss. 24-26, 42-42.2, 60, 75-76); O. Reg. 213/91, Construction Projects, s. 188 (Construction Projects [ON], 2026, s. 188); O. Reg. 164/99, Electrical Safety Code (Electrical Safety Code [ON], 2026, s. 1). Guidance: Section 21 guidance notes 6-16, 6-19, 6-20, 6-34 and 6-53 (MLITSD, n.d.).

What must be covered.

• Electrical lockout. The power supply is “disconnected, locked out of service and tagged” before work on or near live exposed parts (s. 42(1)); s. 42.1 applies where disconnection is not practical; utility transmission and outdoor distribution work over 750 V follows the Electrical Utility Safety Rules (s. 42.2).

• Machine lockout. Motion blocked before maintenance, and controls locked out where starting could endanger a worker (ss. 75-76).

• Guarding. Ss. 24 to 26.

• Power lines. Where a vehicle, crane or similar equipment operates near a live line over 750 V, every part keeps at least these distances, with a signaller where contact is possible and allowance for boom and load swing (s. 60):

  Voltage	Minimum distance
  750 to 150,000 V	3 m
  150,001 to 250,000 V	4.5 m
  250,001 V and over	6 m

  The same table applies on construction projects (Construction Projects [ON], 2026, s. 188).

• Electrical code. The Canadian Electrical Code Part 1, C22.1:24, with the Electrical Safety Authority’s Ontario amendments, is adopted as the Electrical Safety Code, and every act in connection with the use of electricity must comply (Electrical Safety Code [ON], 2026, ss. 1-2).

Fire-service nuance.

• No emergency relief from the s. 60 distances. The table is written for vehicles and equipment, which includes aerial devices.
• Guidance notes cover machinery and electrical lockout during emergency response (6-16), electric and hybrid vehicles (6-19), electrical hazards at rescues and fires (6-20), solar photovoltaic systems (6-34) and energy storage systems (6-53) (MLITSD, n.d.).
• Gas installation and licensing under the Technical Standards and Safety Act were not read for this page.

Status. Verified against the official text (e-Laws, current to 2026-10-20): Reg. 851 ss. 24 to 26, 42 to 42.2, 60 and 75 to 76, O. Reg. 213/91 s. 188 and O. Reg. 164/99 read on 2026-10-24.

Law. Occupational Safety General Regulations, Part 6 (lock-out, ss. 51 to 54), Part 8 (mechanical safety, ss. 84 to 103) and Part 11 (electrical safety, ss. 120 to 128) (Occupational Safety General Regulations [NS], 2025, ss. 51-54, 84-103, 120-128). Codes: the Electrical Code Regulations under the Electrical Installation and Inspection Act (Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, 2024a).

What must be covered.

• Lockout. A written, equipment-specific lockout procedure; zero energy state; locks and tags; verification by a competent person (ss. 51-54).

• Guarding. Safeguards on machinery (s. 87), start and stop controls (s. 88), automotive pits (s. 91) and tire cages for split-rim inflation (s. 92).

• Electrical work. Installations to CSA C22.1 and electrical work by competent persons (Part 11).

• Limits of approach. Minimum approach distances to energized lines (s. 126):

  Voltage	Minimum approach distance
  Below 750 V	1 m
  750 V to 69 kV	3 m
  69 kV to 138 kV	5 m
  Above 138 kV	6 m
  Voltage unknown	6 m

• Electrical code. The 2024 Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, CSA C22.1:24, adopted without amendment from 2024-07-02 under the Electrical Code Regulations made under s. 6 of the Electrical Installation and Inspection Act; its Section 64 updates the solar photovoltaic rules, including rapid shutdown, and the energy storage rules (Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, 2024a).

Fire-service nuance.

• No emergency relief from s. 126. Write the s. 126 table into the downed-wire procedure alongside the utility’s responder guidance and a wider public-safety zone.
• Lockout at an emergency scene is a general-duty matter; the written procedures in Part 6 govern stations and shops.
• Gas installations follow CSA B149.1 as adopted under provincial gas legislation.

Status. Verified against the Registry of Regulations consolidation (amended to N.S. Reg. 53/2013): Parts 6, 8, 11 and s. 126 read on 2026-10-24; the code adoption read in the official bulletin on 2026-10-23.

Law. General Regulations, ss. 30.2 to 30.18 (machine guarding and lockout) and ss. 36.20 to 36.22 (limits of approach) (Occupational Health and Safety Act General Regulations [PE], 2025, ss. 30.2-30.18, 36.20-36.22).

What must be covered.

• Lockout. Lockout under ss. 30.6 and 30.7, with locks and keys supplied by the employer, lockout training and lock-removal rules.

• Guarding. Ss. 30.2, 30.9, 30.10 and 30.18.

• Limits of approach. (s. 36.20):

  Voltage	Limit of approach
  Up to 750 V	900 mm
  751 V to 100 kV	3.6 m
  100,001 V to 250,000 V	5.2 m
  250,001 V to 345,000 V	6.1 m

• Higher voltages and closer work. Above 345 kV, the utility’s instructions (s. 36.21); closer work only after contacting the utility and having the line de-energized or guarded (s. 36.22).

Fire-service nuance.

• No emergency relief.
• Electrical inspection and licensing were not read for this page.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (consolidated to 2025-01-01). Code adoption was not checked.

Law. Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012, Part VIII (machine guarding, ss. 88 to 91), Part IX (lockout, ss. 127 to 137) and ss. 497 to 501 (work near energized conductors) (Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012 [NL], 2026, ss. 88-91, 127-137, 497-501).

What must be covered.

• Lockout. Personal locks marked with the worker’s name, the equipment and the date; no combination locks; group lockout and shift-change procedures (Part IX).

• Guarding. Part VIII.

• Limits of approach. (s. 498(3)):

  Voltage	Minimum distance
  Over 750 V to 75 kV	3 m
  Over 75 kV to 250 kV	4.5 m
  Over 250 kV to 550 kV	6 m

• Default clearance. A 5.5 m default for material, scaffolds and cranes near conductors where the utility gives no written clearance (s. 498(2)).

Fire-service nuance.

• The relief, verbatim. “Sections 497 to 500 do not apply to an emergency action close to energized high voltage electrical equipment or conductors that is carried out by a worker who has undergone a course of instruction approved by the minister” (s. 501(1)). The precautions in s. 501(2) still apply: restricted entry, a safety watcher, and no contact with moving equipment.
• As in British Columbia, the relief depends on an approved course.
• Electrical installation codes and licensing were not read for this page.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (consolidated to NLR 48/26).

Law. Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, Part 3 (lockout), Part 7 (machinery and machinery guarding, s. 7.02) and Part 9 (electrical safety, ss. 9.18 to 9.22) (Workplace Health and Safety Regulations [YT], 2022, ss. 3.01-3.10, 7.02, 9.18-9.22).

What must be covered.

• Lockout. Part 3, with a group lockout procedure when 3 or more workers or more than 4 isolating devices are involved.

• Guarding. Safeguards to CSA Z432-04 (s. 7.02).

• Limits of approach. The voltage is determined accurately and these distances kept by workers and equipment (s. 9.18(1), Table 9-1):

  Voltage (phase to phase)	Limit of approach
  Up to 750 V	1.0 m (3 ft)
  750 V to 40 kV	3.0 m (10 ft)
  69 kV, 72 kV	3.5 m (12 ft)
  138 kV, 144 kV	4.0 m (13 ft)
  230 kV, 260 kV	5.0 m (16 ft)
  500 kV	7.0 m (23 ft)

• Unknown voltage. “Where the voltage of any energized equipment or conductor cannot or has not been determined, the limit of approach of 7.0 m (23 ft.) shall be maintained” (s. 9.18(2)).

• Closer work. Written assurance from the public utility where the distance cannot be kept (s. 9.19).

Fire-service nuance.

• No exemption, only precautions. “During emergency actions all reasonable precautions shall be taken to control the hazards”, including restricting entry, a safety watcher, no one touching moving equipment, and the operator on the machine or a bonded mat (s. 9.22(1)). Only journeyperson electrical workers and those under their direct supervision may work within the distances, with the owner’s authorization (s. 9.22(2)).
• The 7 m unknown-voltage rule is a sound default for any downed-wire procedure.

Status. Verified against the board’s official rendering of the regulations: Parts 3, 7 and 9 read on 2026-10-24. Code adoption was not checked.

Law. Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, s. 145 (guarding), ss. 147 to 148 (lockout and machines in motion) and s. 460 with Schedule Y (energized conductors) (Occupational Health and Safety Regulations [NT], 2024, ss. 145-148, 460, Sch. Y).

What must be covered.

• Lockout. A written lockout process, personal locks and a duplicate-key log (s. 147); work on machines that must stay in motion (s. 148).

• Guarding. S. 145.

• Limits of approach. Workers do not work, material is not handled and equipment is not operated within the distance in column 3 of Schedule Y (s. 460(4)); vehicles on a public road keep the column 5 distance (s. 460(9)):

  Voltage (phase to phase)	Work, material and equipment (column 3)	Vehicles on public roads (column 5)
  0.75 kV to 25 kV	3 m	0.6 m
  72 kV	4.6 m	0.8 m
  138 kV	4.6 m	1.22 m
  230 kV	6.1 m	1.83 m

  Columns 4 and 6 to 8 set the distances for qualified electrical workers, workers at ground potential and utility tree trimmers.

Fire-service nuance.

• No emergency relief from s. 460.
• Electrical and gas installations fall under territorial protection statutes not read for this page.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (Schedule Y read in the consolidation in force since about 2024-09-26). Code adoption was not checked.

Law. Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, the same sections as the Northwest Territories (Occupational Health and Safety Regulations [NU], 2021, ss. 145-148, 460, Sch. Y).

What must be covered.

• Lockout and guarding. A written lockout process (s. 147) and guarding (s. 145).
• Limits of approach. Schedule Y column 3: 3 m up to 25 kV, 4.6 m at 72 kV to 138 kV, 6.1 m at 230 kV (s. 460).

Fire-service nuance.

• No emergency relief.
• Electrical and gas installations fall under territorial protection statutes not read for this page.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (official consolidation 2021-09-28, compared with the Northwest Territories text). Code adoption was not checked.

Law. Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Part VIII (electrical safety, including ss. 8.5 and 8.12 to 8.18 and the schedule) and ss. 13.13 to 13.17 (guarding and lockout) (Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations [CA], 2026, ss. 8.5-8.18, 13.13-13.17).

What must be covered.

• Lockout. Machine repair or maintenance that needs a guard removed is done under lockout “in accordance with a written lock out procedure” (s. 13.16); electrical isolation and guarantees of isolation (ss. 8.12-8.18).

• Guarding. Ss. 13.13 to 13.17.

• Electrical work. No work on electrical equipment unless it is isolated, except under instructed live-work procedures (s. 8.5(1)-(3)); live equipment is guarded or insulated (s. 8.5(4)-(5)); otherwise the distances below apply, column II for a person who is not qualified and column III for a qualified person (s. 8.5(6)); no one works where an unintentional movement could bring them closer (s. 8.5(7)); high-voltage work only with the employer’s authorization (s. 8.6):

  Voltage, part to ground	Not qualified (column II)	Qualified (column III)
  Over 425 V to 12,000 V	3 m	0.9 m
  Over 12,000 V to 22,000 V	3 m	1.2 m
  Over 22,000 V to 50,000 V	3 m	1.5 m
  Over 50,000 V to 90,000 V	4.5 m	1.8 m
  Over 90,000 V to 120,000 V	4.5 m	2.1 m
  Over 120,000 V to 150,000 V	6 m	2.7 m
  Over 150,000 V to 250,000 V	6 m	3.3 m
  Over 250,000 V to 300,000 V	7.5 m	3.9 m
  Over 300,000 V to 350,000 V	7.5 m	4.5 m
  Over 350,000 V to 400,000 V	9 m	5.4 m

Fire-service nuance.

• The federal table is the only one measured voltage-to-ground rather than phase-to-phase; convert carefully when comparing with a provincial table.
• No emergency relief.
• Facility electrical installations on federal property follow the electrical code applied by the department responsible.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (consolidated to 2026-09-30; s. 8.5 and the schedule read).