This directive (manual) establishes OSHA's enforcement policy for its standards addressing the control of hazardous energy. It instructs OSHA enforcement personnel on both the agency's interpretations of those standards, and on the procedures for enforcing them. The application of this instruction will further OSHA's goal of uniform enforcement of these standards. However, OSHA personnel should exercise professional judgment consistent with their authority as appropriate when particular circumstances necessitate a deviation from the guidance provided in the instruction in order to effectuate the purposes of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), to utilize resources to effectively administer the OSH Act, or to ensure CSHO safety. This instruction is not a standard, regulation or any other type of substantive rule. No statement in this instruction should be construed to require the regulated community to adopt any practices, means, methods, operations, or processes beyond those which are already required by the OSH Act or standards and regulations promulgated under the OSH Act.