Is the Brady SafeKey ALU-BLK-38ST-KD the right lockout/tagout padlock for per-worker personal energy control?

Short answer: Yes, if you need a single, individually issued lock for one authorized worker. The black aluminum SafeKey ships keyed different (KD) so each worker controls the only key to their own padlock — the foundation of compliant lockout padlocks under OSHA 1910.147. If you are equipping a whole crew at once, a 10-pack like the ABUS 74/40 is the cheaper-per-lock route.

Brady SafeKey ALU-BLK-38ST-KD Aluminum Lockout Padlock Review (2026)

In a lockout/tagout program, this Brady SafeKey is the energy-isolating device that holds a breaker, valve, or disconnect in the safe position while a worker is exposed. It belongs to the personal-lock layer of your lockout/tagout device inventory: one authorized employee, one lock, one key. Keyed different (KD) means this lock's key opens this lock and no other — the correct default when choosing a lockout padlock for individual issuance. Pair it with a lockout tag to identify the worker, remembering that a tag alone is not an energy-isolating device, and add a lockout hasp when multiple workers must lock a single point during group lockout.

Editorial verdict — 4.4/5
For a single authorized worker who needs a durable, name-brand keyed-different padlock for daily carry, the SafeKey ALU-BLK-38ST-KD is a sound buy; just note it is one lock, so per-lock cost is higher than a crew 10-pack.VIEW ON WC SAFETY →CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON →

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Who it is for

• Electricians who need a personally issued keyed-different lock for electrical isolation and value a light aluminum body on the belt
• Maintenance technicians servicing machinery who want a recognized lockout padlock for daily energy control
• Safety managers standardizing on a single lockout/tagout platform and adding locks one worker at a time
• Facilities teams replacing or supplementing locks at existing lockout stations
• Contractors who carry their own personal lock and lockout tag between sites
• Anyone color-coding by trade who wants a black SafeKey to sit beside the blue and purple SafeKey variants

What the Brady SafeKey ALU-BLK-38ST-KD does well

Correct keying for personal control

Shipping keyed different means each worker holds the only key to their own lock, which is exactly what OSHA 1910.147 requires for personal energy isolation. No rekeying or sorting is needed before issuance — it is ready for the one-worker-one-lock-one-key model that defines compliant lockout padlocks.

Light aluminum body for daily carry

The aluminum construction keeps the SafeKey light on a tool belt across a long shift, which matters for technicians applying LOTO at multiple points. Lighter locks get carried and used; heavy ones get left in the truck.

Recognized, standardized platform

Brady SafeKey is a known LOTO line, so the lock reads instantly as a safety device on a hasp — useful in mixed-workforce facilities. Standardization across the lockout/tagout program is itself an OSHA expectation, and a consistent platform like SafeKey helps you meet it, as covered in how to choose a lockout padlock.

Honest third-party rating

At 4.3 stars across 119 verified Amazon ratings (Jun 2026), the buyer signal is solid rather than inflated. That is consistent with the durability we expect from the SafeKey family and from siblings like the blue ALU-BLU-38ST-KD.

Where the Brady SafeKey ALU-BLK-38ST-KD falls short

Single-lock economics

This is one lock, so the per-unit price is higher than buying a crew 10-pack. If you are outfitting several technicians at once, the ABUS 74/40 10-pack or TRADESAFE TS1KD10R will cost less per lock.

Black is not the default warning color

Red is the most widely specified LOTO warning color in North American industry. A black body works fine for trade or department color-coding, but if you want a universally recognized stop-signal color, the American Lock A1107R in red may suit better.

No stated dielectric rating

The listing does not claim a non-conductive/dielectric rating, so we will not either. For electrical isolation where a non-conductive body is a hard requirement, verify the spec or consider a lock the manufacturer explicitly rates, and follow your LOTO procedure.

Shackle clearance unspecified

The facts do not list shackle dimensions, so deep or stacked-hasp fit is not guaranteed. For thick hasps or multiple stacked devices, a long-shackle lock such as the ABUS 2ALHB/40-75 is the safer pick.

Brady SafeKey ALU-BLK-38ST-KD vs the competition

Compare prices on Amazon →Brady SafeKey ALU-BLK-38ST-KD on AmazonBrady SafeKey ALU-BLU-

When to step up from the Brady SafeKey ALU-BLK-38ST-KD

If your isolation points sit behind thick or stacked hasps, step up to the long-shackle ABUS 2ALHB/40-75, whose extended shackle reaches through deeper lockout hasps than a standard one. If electrical isolation demands an explicitly non-conductive body, the ABUS 74/40 states a non-conductive thermoplastic construction. And if you would rather carry a complete personal set than a bare lock, the Brady 123143 personal kit bundles padlock, hasp, and tags from your lockout/tagout inventory in one pouch.

Category context

Choosing among LOTO formats comes down to geometry and people. A padlock like this SafeKey locks one device when the hasp accepts a standard shackle; a lockout hasp lets multiple workers each apply their own lock to a single isolation point during group lockout; a cable lockout wraps valve wheels and oversized switches a rigid padlock cannot span; and a kit or station stages everything together. Keying is the other axis: keyed different (KD), as here, gives every worker a unique key for personal control under OSHA 1910.147, while keyed alike (KA) — like the ABUS 2ALHB/40-75 — lets one authorized employee open a matched set with a single key across multiple points. For the difference between locking a device and merely tagging it, see lockout vs tagout: a tag identifies the worker but is not an energy-isolating device.

Total cost of ownership

Total cost over a program's life favors durability and right-sizing the order. As a single aluminum lock, the SafeKey carries a higher per-unit price than crew packs, but it avoids paying for locks you do not need when you only have to issue one or two. If turnover or expansion means equipping several technicians, the TRADESAFE TS1KD10R or ABUS 74/40 10-pack drives per-lock cost down sharply. Either way, replace any lock with a damaged shackle or worn cylinder rather than nursing it — a compromised lockout padlock undermines the whole LOTO procedure — and keep spare keys in a controlled location per program best practice.

Final verdict

Buy the Brady SafeKey ALU-BLK-38ST-KD when you need a single, durable, keyed-different lockout padlock for one authorized worker's personal energy control under OSHA 1910.147. For crew-scale issuance, choose a 10-pack such as the ABUS 74/40; for deep or stacked hasps, the long-shackle ABUS 2ALHB/40-75; for a complete carry-anywhere set, the Brady 123143 kit; and for a red warning-color steel lock, the American Lock A1107R. Browse the full lockout/tagout range to match your isolation points.

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Brady SafeKey ALU-BLK-38ST-KD FAQ

Is the Brady SafeKey ALU-BLK-38ST-KD OSHA 1910.147 compliant?

It is a single-purpose lockout padlock built for control of hazardous energy under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147. Compliance also depends on your written procedure and how you apply the lock — see how to perform LOTO. The lock itself provides the durable, standardized, identifiable energy-isolating device the standard expects.

What does 'keyed different' mean on this padlock?

Keyed different (KD) means this lock's key opens this lock and no other. That is the correct default for per-worker issuance because it enforces one-worker-one-lock-one-key control, as explained in how to choose a lockout padlock. Contrast it with keyed-alike sets, where one key opens many lockout padlocks.

How is this different from a keyed-alike lock like the ABUS 2ALHB/40-75?

Keyed different gives every worker a unique key for personal control, while the keyed-alike ABUS 2ALHB/40-75 lets one authorized employee open a matched set with a single key across multiple points. Use KD for per-worker accountability and KA for a single worker managing several isolations. Both serve different roles in a lockout/tagout program.

Is this lock non-conductive for electrical work?

The listing does not state a dielectric or non-conductive rating, so we will not claim one. If a non-conductive body is a hard requirement for your electrical isolation, verify the manufacturer spec or choose a lock that explicitly states it, such as the ABUS 74/40. Always follow your electrical LOTO procedure.

Should I buy one SafeKey or a 10-pack?

Buy the single SafeKey when issuing locks to one or two workers; buy a 10-pack when equipping a crew at once. Crew packs like the TRADESAFE TS1KD10R or ABUS 74/40 cost less per lock. Match the order size to how many people you are putting on the lockout/tagout program.

Does the black color affect compliance?

No. OSHA requires that lockout devices be standardized and identifiable, not a specific color. Black works for trade or department color-coding, though red is the most widely recognized warning color — see the red American Lock A1107R if you prefer it.

Can multiple workers share this one lock?

No — that breaks the one-worker-one-lock-one-key rule. Each exposed worker must apply their own lock. When several workers must lock a single isolation point, use a lockout hasp so each attaches an individual padlock, as described in how to perform LOTO.

Will this padlock fit a thick or stacked hasp?

Shackle clearance is not specified in the listing, so deep or stacked-hasp fit is not guaranteed. For thick hasps or stacked devices, a long-shackle lock like the ABUS 2ALHB/40-75 is the safer choice. Confirm shackle reach against your lockout hasps before relying on it.

Is a tag enough, or do I need this lock?

A tag identifies the worker but is not an energy-isolating device, so it cannot hold a disconnect in the safe position. You need a physical lock like this SafeKey to achieve true lockout; the tag goes alongside it. The full distinction is covered in lockout vs tagout.

How does this compare to the blue and purple SafeKey models?

They are the same aluminum keyed-different platform in different colors for trade or department coding. The blue ALU-BLU-38ST-KD and purple ALU-PRP-38ST-KD behave identically; pick the color that fits your color-coding scheme.

What rating does this lock have from real buyers?

It is rated 4.3 stars across 119 verified Amazon ratings (Jun 2026), a solid signal for a personal lockout padlock. Our editorial assessment lands at 4.4/5 based on keying fit, durability, and value. We did not laboratory-test the unit.

Is aluminum durable enough for industrial LOTO?

Aluminum bodies are standard for personal lockout because they balance durability with light weight for daily carry. For most general-industry isolation points the SafeKey holds up well; for the harshest abuse a steel body like the American Lock A1107R is an alternative. Either way, retire any lock with a damaged shackle.

Do I still need a hasp if I use this padlock?

Only when more than one worker must lock the same isolation point. A single worker on a single device needs just the padlock; group lockout needs a lockout hasp so each worker adds their own lock. See how to perform LOTO for the group-lockout sequence.

What if my isolation point is a valve wheel or oversized switch?

A rigid padlock cannot span those geometries — use a cable lockout instead, which wraps valve wheels and bulky handles. The SafeKey is for hasps and standard disconnects; reach for cable devices when the geometry is irregular, as outlined in how to choose a lockout padlock.

Can I rekey this padlock to match my other locks?

This unit ships keyed different by design, which is the point — each worker's key is unique. If you specifically need a shared key across a set, choose a keyed-alike lock such as the ABUS 2ALHB/40-75 rather than altering this one. Mixing keying schemes carelessly can defeat personal control under OSHA 1910.147.

Where does this lock fit in a complete personal LOTO setup?

It is the energy-isolating device at the center of a personal set — add a lockout tag to identify the worker and a hasp for group points. If you want it all bundled, the Brady 123143 personal kit packages padlock, hasp, and tags together. Stage spares at your lockout stations.

Is this the best value Brady SafeKey for equipping a team?

For a team, no — single locks cost more per unit. The SafeKey single is best for individual issuance; for team-scale buys, a keyed-different 10-pack like the ABUS 74/40 or TRADESAFE TS1KD10R is more economical. Browse all lockout padlocks to compare.