According to OSHA requirements, what must be done when an employee is exposed to deenergized circuits?

When working on deenergized circuits, OSHA requires that the circuits be locked out to ensure the safety of employees. This locking out procedure helps prevent the accidental re-energization of electrical equipment while employees are performing maintenance or repair work. Lockout procedures involve isolating and securing the equipment, using physical locks that prevent the circuits from being turned on until all employees have completed their work and removed the locks.

Lockout is critical to providing a safe working environment, as it protects employees from unexpected electrical hazards. Proper lockout/tagout procedures are part of wider safety protocols that include training and communication among workers to ensure everyone understands the risks and safety measures in place.

While disconnecting, grounding, and tagging out can be part of the overall safety protocol, they do not serve the same protective function that locking out the equipment does. Grounding is used to protect against electrical shock, while tagging serves as a warning but does not physically prevent operation.