repairs or maintenance. The authorizing officer has the authority to sign tags and labels and the authority to cause  tags  and  labels  to  be  issued  or  cleared.  The authorizing officer is always the officer responsible for supervising  the  tag-out  log.  The  CO  designates authorizing officers by billet or watch station. Repair Activity Representative If a tag out has been requested by a repair activity, a representative (shop supervisor or equivalent) signs the tag-out record sheet. This person’s signature indicates repair activity satisfaction with completeness of the tag out. The repair activity representative should check and sign each tag that has been hung as he or she makes sure each system is completely isolated. Only after taking that safety precaution should the representative sign the tag-out record. When verified, the tags alert personnel that the repair activity must approve removal of the tags. The repair activity representative approves removal of the tags by signing a tag-out sheet stating that the work is completed and no more work is to be done on the system(s). Person Attaching the Tag The person who attaches the tag (along with the person who second-checks the tag) can make or break the tag-out system. The person hanging the tag actually shuts a valve or secures a switch that takes a piece of equipment off line for repairs or maintenance. When you secure a switch or shut a valve, you hang the danger or caution tag securely so that it won’t fall off, then you sign it. By signing the danger or caution tag, you verify that you have secured the items that need to be secured and that they are secured. Person Checking Tag As you know, the person checking the tag is an important person in the tag-out procedure. The process of checking a tag or label is called second-checking. The second-checker examines the tag or label to make sure it corresponds to the equipment that is supposed to be secured and checks the position of the switch or valve. If no mistakes are found, the second-checker signs the tag or label. The signature tells everyone concerned that “all is okay” with the tag or label and that the equipment is secured. If the second-checker finds something wrong, he or she notifies the first person (person attaching the tag) and the authorizing officer that something’s wrong. The person who tags a system and the second-checker have a big responsibility—the lives of their shipmates as well as their own rely on how well they do their jobs. TAGS, LABELS, AND LOGS The various tags, labels, and logs used in the tag-out system have a definite purpose. The tags and labels indicate the equipment is out of order or unable to perform its normal functions. These tags are red and yellow, and both are used as warning tags. A red tag means a certain DANGER exists if the valve or equipment lineup is changed. A CAUTION tag is yellow and usually has a set of instructions printed on it about the operation of the equipment. Two  labels  are  associated  with  the  tag-out system—the OUT-OF-COMMISSION(red) and OUT-OF-CALIBRATION (orange) labels. The tags, labels, and logs used in the tag-out system help to ensure personnel safety. Let’s look at how you use each of them. Caution Tag Use a yellow CAUTION tag, NAVSHIPS 9890/5 (fig.  19-5),  as  a  precautionary  measure  to  provide temporary special instructions or to show personnel that they must use extra caution in operating equipment. In the instructions, state the specific reason for the tag. Don’t use phrases such as “Do not operate without EOOW  permission.”  Personnel  don’t  operate equipment  on  systems  without  permission  from  the responsible supervisor. Don’t use a CAUTION tag if personnel  or  equipment  can  be  endangered  while performing evolutions using normal procedures. Use a DANGER tag in these circumstances. Danger Tag Attach a red DANGER tag, NAVSHIPS 9890/8 (fig. 19-6), to prohibit operation of equipment that could jeopardize  the  safety  of  personnel  or  endanger equipment, systems, or components. Never operate or 19-26 Student Notes: