Lockout / Tagout

Which lockout tagout devices should you choose in 2026?

Short answer: For most teams, start with a keyed-different aluminum padlock so every worker holds the only key to their own lock — the Brady SafeKey purple is our top all-round pick. Buy a ready-to-go pack like the TRADESAFE 10-pack red, keyed different to equip a crew at once, and grab the Brady 123143 compact LOTO kit as a portable personal set. Compare them in our best lockout/tagout padlocks guide and best lockout/tagout kits guide.

Lockout / Tagout (2026)

Lockout/tagout (LOTO) devices are the hardware backbone of an OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 energy-control program: padlocks, hasps, cable locks, tags and kits that physically hold an energy-isolating device in the safe position while machinery is serviced. This master hub gathers the safety padlocks and personal LOTO kits we review so you can match a device to the worker, the energy source and the lock-management scheme your facility runs. If you are new to the standard, start with what is lockout/tagout and lockout vs tagout to understand why a lock (a positive physical restraint) is preferred over a tag-only warning wherever an isolating device can accept one. Devices are only one layer — a compliant program also needs written procedures, training and verification, covered step-by-step in how to perform LOTO. Browse by device type using the sibling hubs: lockout padlocks for the locks themselves, lockout hasps for group lockout, cable lockouts for valves and oversized points, plug lockouts for cord-and-plug equipment, lockout stations for centralized storage, and lockout tags for the identification side of tagout.

Editor's pick — Brady SafeKey Aluminum Lockout Padlock ALU-PRP-38ST-KD — Purple, Keyed Different
The Brady SafeKey purple, keyed different is the best all-round device in this hub for a personal lockout program. Keyed-different (KD) means this lock carries a unique key no other lock in the set will open, so it enforces the one-worker-one-lock-one-key principle at the core of 1910.147. The anodized aluminum body resists corrosion and stays light on a tool belt, the color lets you assign locks by person or department for instant identification, and Brady's SafeKey line is a recognized industrial standard. See the full breakdown in our Brady SafeKey purple review. If you need the same lock in another color for crew assignment, the SafeKey blue and SafeKey black are identical bodies.

VIEW BRADY SAFEKEY ALUMINUM LOCKOUT PADLOCK ALU-PRP-38ST-KD — PURPLE, KEYED DIFFERENT →CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON →

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What this collection covers

• Brady SafeKey aluminum (purple / blue / black, KD) — Our recommended personal-lockout padlock family: anodized aluminum, keyed different, color-coded for per-worker or per-department assignment. Start with the SafeKey purple (review), then add the SafeKey blue (review) and SafeKey black (review) to color-code a crew.
• American Lock A1107R (red) — A red safety lockout padlock built for OSHA lockout/tagout duty — a durable single lock for individual workers who want a high-visibility color. See the American Lock A1107R and its review.
• Master Lock 410GRN (green) — A widely recognized thermoplastic safety padlock in green; a dependable, economical single-worker lock. Compare the Master Lock 410GRN in its review.
• ABUS 74/40 (10-pack, KD, non-conductive) — A non-conductive 10-pack keyed different — the body is described as non-conductive, suiting electrical isolation work where a dielectric body is preferred. Equip a crew at once with the ABUS 74/40 10-pack (review).
• ABUS 2ALHB/40-75 (long shackle, KA, aluminum) — A long-shackle aluminum lock, keyed alike — the extended shackle reaches over guards and through larger hasp eyes, and keyed-alike lets one key serve a set for supervisor or single-owner use. See the ABUS 2ALHB/40-75 and its review.
• TRADESAFE TS1KD10R (10-pack, red, KD) — A 10-pack of red locks keyed different — an economical way to issue a unique-keyed lock to every member of a crew. Browse the TRADESAFE TS1KD10R 10-pack and its review.
• TRADESAFE TSKAU10YL (10-pack, yellow, KA) — A 10-pack yellow lock set keyed alike — one key opens the whole set, ideal where a single owner manages many isolation points. See the TRADESAFE TSKAU10YL set in its review.
• QWORK QS8899 cable locks (4-pack steel) — Steel cable locks for valves, gates and oversized isolation points a padlock shackle cannot reach. Pair these with the cable lockouts hub. See the QWORK QS8899 4-pack and its review.
• Brady 123143 compact LOTO kit — A portable personal safety kit in a pouch — a ready-built starter set for a single worker who needs locks, devices and tags in one carry. See the Brady 123143 compact kit and its review, and compare kits in the best LOTO kits guide.

Lockout/tagout devices compared

Shop lockout/tagout on Amazon →Brady SafeKey ALU-PRP-Brady SafeKey ALU-BLU American Lock A1107RMaster Lock 410GRNABUS 74/40 (10-pack)

Which device should you buy?

• Buy the Brady SafeKey purple, keyed different if you want one strong all-round personal lock that enforces one-worker-one-lock-one-key.
• Buy the ABUS 74/40 non-conductive 10-pack if your crew isolates electrical energy and you want a dielectric (non-conductive) body, each keyed different.
• Buy the ABUS 2ALHB/40-75 long-shackle, keyed alike if you need extra shackle clearance or one key to manage a set you alone control.
• Buy the TRADESAFE TS1KD10R red 10-pack if you need to issue a unique-keyed lock to every member of a crew economically.
• Buy the TRADESAFE TSKAU10YL yellow keyed-alike set if a single owner manages many isolation points with one key.
• Buy the QWORK QS8899 steel cable locks if you must secure valves, gates or oversized points a rigid shackle cannot reach.
• Buy the Brady 123143 compact kit if you want a portable, ready-built personal LOTO set in one pouch.

How to choose

Keyed different vs keyed alike

Keyed different (KD) gives each lock a unique key, which is what 1910.147 personal lockout requires — only the worker who applied the lock can remove it. Keyed alike (KA) lets one key open a set, which suits a single owner managing many points but is unsafe for multi-worker isolation. Our guide how to choose a lockout padlock walks through the trade-off; the SafeKey purple is KD, the ABUS 2ALHB/40-75 is KA.

Body material and dielectric needs

Aluminum bodies (the SafeKey line) resist corrosion and stay light; thermoplastic (Master Lock 410GRN) is economical and dielectric. For electrical isolation, prefer a body explicitly described as non-conductive, such as the ABUS 74/40. Do not assume a lock is non-conductive unless the product states it.

Shackle clearance

Match shackle length and diameter to the hasp eye and the isolating device. A standard shackle is fine for most breakers and hasps; a long shackle like the ABUS 2ALHB/40-75 reaches over guards and through larger openings. For valves and points no shackle fits, switch to cable lockouts.

Personal vs group lockout

For a single worker, one padlock per energy point is enough. For multiple workers on one machine, use group lockout: each worker applies their own lock to a lockout hasp so the energy stays isolated until every lock is removed. Color-code with the SafeKey family so each person's locks are identifiable.

Single locks vs packs and kits

Single locks suit small teams; 10-packs like the TRADESAFE TS1KD10R equip a crew at lower per-lock cost. A portable kit such as the Brady 123143 bundles locks, devices and tags — compare options in the best LOTO kits guide and best LOTO padlocks guide.

Identification and tags

1910.147 requires each device to identify the worker who applied it. Color, engraving and an attached tag all help. Pair locks with lockout tags and store program hardware at a lockout station so devices are standardized and accounted for.

OSHA 1910.147 & device requirements

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 (the Control of Hazardous Energy standard) requires that energy-control devices be durable, standardized, substantial and identifiable. Durable means they withstand the workplace environment; standardized means uniform by color, shape or size within a facility; substantial means hard enough to remove that casual or accidental removal is prevented; and identifiable means each device indicates the worker who applied it. The standard's foundational principle is one worker, one lock, one key — each authorized employee applies their own uniquely keyed lock and is the only person who removes it, which is why keyed-different padlocks are the default for personal lockout. Tagout alone is permitted only where an energy-isolating device cannot accept a lock, and a tag must be at least as effective as a lock with full employee protection. For the procedural side, read what is lockout/tagout, how to perform LOTO, and lockout vs tagout. This page is educational and not a substitute for your site-specific written energy-control procedures or formal training.

Total cost of ownership

Lockout devices are low-cost relative to the incidents they prevent, but total cost still favors planning. Single locks like the American Lock A1107R or Master Lock 410GRN make sense for a handful of workers, while 10-packs such as the TRADESAFE TS1KD10R or ABUS 74/40 cut the per-lock price when you equip a crew and keep spares for turnover and lost keys. Aluminum bodies like the Brady SafeKey line resist corrosion and tend to outlast cheaper locks in harsh environments, reducing replacement frequency. Standardizing on one lock family also lowers hidden costs: keys, color codes and procedures stay consistent, and storing devices at a lockout station keeps inventory accountable. Compare durability and value across our picks in the best LOTO padlocks guide.

Frequently asked questions

What are lockout tagout devices?

They are the physical hardware that holds an energy-isolating device in the safe (off) position during servicing — safety padlocks, hasps, cable locks, plug lockouts, tags and kits. Browse them by type across lockout padlocks, cable lockouts, plug lockouts and lockout tags, and read what is lockout/tagout for the basics.

What is the difference between keyed different and keyed alike?

Keyed different (KD) means each lock has a unique key, so only the worker who applied a lock can remove it — required for personal lockout under 1910.147. Keyed alike (KA) means one key opens a whole set, useful only when a single owner controls every lock. The Brady SafeKey purple is KD; the ABUS 2ALHB/40-75 is KA. See how to choose a lockout padlock.

Which lockout padlock should I buy first?

For most teams, start with a keyed-different aluminum padlock so every worker holds the only key to their own lock. Our top all-round pick is the Brady SafeKey purple — see its review and the best LOTO padlocks guide.

Are these padlocks non-conductive for electrical work?

Only buy a lock described as non-conductive for electrical isolation. In this collection the ABUS 74/40 10-pack is specified as non-conductive. Do not assume any other lock is dielectric unless the product page states it. Review the energy types in how to perform LOTO.

What does OSHA 1910.147 require of a lockout device?

Devices must be durable, standardized, substantial and identifiable, and each authorized worker applies a uniquely keyed lock that only they remove — one worker, one lock, one key. Read what is lockout/tagout and lockout vs tagout for the standard's requirements.

When do I use a cable lockout instead of a padlock?

Use a cable lockout when a rigid padlock shackle cannot fit the isolation point — valves, gates, multiple points or oversized openings. The QWORK QS8899 steel cable locks handle these; browse more in the cable lockouts hub.

How many locks does a crew need?

Each worker needs their own uniquely keyed lock for every energy point they isolate, plus spares for turnover and lost keys. A 10-pack like the TRADESAFE TS1KD10R, keyed different equips a crew economically; the ABUS 74/40 10-pack does the same with a non-conductive body.

What is group lockout and what hardware does it need?

When several workers service one machine, each applies their own lock so energy stays isolated until the last lock is removed. This uses a lockout hasp that accepts multiple padlocks. Color-code locks with the SafeKey blue and SafeKey black so each person is identifiable.

Do I need a long-shackle padlock?

Choose a long shackle when you must reach over a guard or through a larger hasp eye that a standard shackle cannot span. The ABUS 2ALHB/40-75 long shackle is built for that; otherwise a standard shackle keeps the lock lower-profile. See how to choose a lockout padlock.

What is the difference between lockout and tagout?

Lockout uses a physical lock to hold an isolating device safe; tagout uses a warning tag where a lock cannot be applied. Lockout is preferred because a lock is a positive restraint. A tag must be at least as effective as a lock with full protection. Full explanation in lockout vs tagout; shop the identification side at lockout tags.

Should I buy a kit or individual devices?

A kit like the Brady 123143 compact personal kit bundles locks, devices and tags in one pouch — ideal for a single worker getting started. Buy individual devices when you already run a program and need to fill specific gaps. Compare kits in the best LOTO kits guide.

Why do lockout padlocks come in different colors?

Color supports the standard's identification and standardization requirements — facilities assign colors by worker, shift or department so a lock's owner is obvious at a glance. The SafeKey family offers purple, blue and black identical bodies for exactly this.

Where should we store our lockout devices?

Keep program hardware at a centralized, visible point so devices are standardized and accounted for — that is what a lockout station provides. Storing locks, hasps and tags together also makes audits and shift handovers easier.

Can one worker use the same key for all their locks?

A single worker may use keyed-alike locks for points they alone control, but the moment more than one worker is involved, each person must have uniquely keyed locks. When in doubt, default to keyed different to satisfy one-worker-one-lock-one-key. The TRADESAFE yellow keyed-alike set suits single-owner use; the red keyed-different pack suits crews.

Does a lockout device replace written procedures and training?

No. Hardware is one layer; 1910.147 also requires written, machine-specific energy-control procedures, authorized-employee training and periodic verification. Use these devices alongside the steps in how to perform LOTO. This page is educational, not a substitute for your formal program.

🔧 Free tool: Before you service that machine, run our Lockout/Tagout Checklist (OSHA 1910.147).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is lockout/tagout?

Under OSHA 1910.147, lockout/tagout isolates hazardous energy during service and maintenance so a machine cannot power up without warning and hurt the person working on it.

Why does each worker apply their own lock?

Because each authorized worker keeps the only key to a personal lock, the equipment stays isolated right up until every individual has finished and taken off their own lock.

How does group lockout work?

Group lockout relies on a hasp or group lock box where each worker hangs a personal lock, and isolation holds until all of them have completed their portion of the work.

What is the difference between lockout and tagout?

Locking out stops energization in a physical way; a tag merely warns. OSHA prefers the lock and permits tag-only control where lockout cannot be done, provided extra protection is added.

Where should lockout devices be stored?

Devices belong in an organized station or board sited near the work, so the right padlocks, hasps, and tags can be found and accounted for whenever a job starts.

What energy sources must be controlled?

All of these have to be isolated first: electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, and thermal energy, plus stored energy in springs, capacitors, and gravity.

Who is allowed to remove a lockout device?

Only the person who applied a device may take it off, apart from a documented, supervised procedure invoked when that worker is verified to be unavailable and off-site.

Does this collection include lockout kits and padlocks?

Yes. Listings here include items such as the Brady 123143 compact LOTO personal safety kit and ABUS and American Lock safety padlocks for assembling a complete program.

Do I need written lockout procedures?

Indeed OSHA mandates documented, machine-specific energy-control procedures, backed by periodic inspections and a roster of trained authorized employees.

Are these lockout devices reusable?

Most hardware here, padlocks and hasps included, is durable and reusable across many jobs; warning tags are the exception and are typically replaced each single use.