What does 'tag out' mean during equipment maintenance?

• A. Tag out means labeling the equipment to indicate it must not be operated until repaired
• B. Tag out means tagging the operator
• C. Tag out means tagging the time card
• D. Tag out means repainting the machine

Answer: (A)

In safety procedures for maintenance, tag out means placing a visible tag on the energy-isolating device or equipment to indicate it must not be operated until the maintenance or repair is completed. The tag communicates that the equipment is out of service and must not be energized, helping prevent unexpected startup that could injure or trap a worker.

A tag is part of broader lockout/tagout practices. While a lock physically prevents the equipment from being energized, a tag provides a warning and information about who applied it, the date, the reason, and who to contact. The tag should stay in place until a qualified person confirms the equipment is safe to operate again and removes the tag.

The other options don’t fit because tagging the operator or the time card, or repainting the machine, don’t communicate or enforce that the equipment is isolated and out of service for maintenance.