Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is the OSHA-required procedure for isolating and locking or tagging energy sources so that equipment cannot start or release stored energy while people service or maintain it.
29 CFR 1910.147 covers servicing and maintenance in general industry. Forklifts raise two separate questions. First, technicians repairing a truck face stored hydraulic pressure, raised masts and forks, battery energy and unexpected movement, so the truck must be secured, the forks lowered or blocked, and the key removed or battery disconnected under the site’s energy control procedure. Second, forklifts often work around machines that are locked out, such as conveyors or dock equipment, and trucks need to stay clear of those work zones.
Separately, 1910.178 requires that a truck found in need of repair or otherwise unsafe be taken out of service until it is restored to safe condition, which is usually done with a do-not-operate tag. Tagging a defective truck out of service is related to LOTO but is not a full energy control procedure. Access control systems can lock out a truck that failed its pre-operation inspection. See the forklift lockout/tagout guide.