What do tags prohibit and indicate regarding disconnecting means?

• A. Prohibit operation of the disconnecting means and indicate that employees are at work.
• B. Indicate that the disconnect is active.
• C. Indicate that maintenance is unnecessary.
• D. Indicate power is on.

Answer: (A)

Tags on a disconnecting means serve as warnings in a lockout/tagout program. They convey two essential messages: operation of the disconnect should not be performed, and workers are on site performing maintenance. This helps prevent accidental energization while work is being done. Remember, the tag communicates the warning and the presence of authorized personnel, while a lock provides the actual physical prohibition. The other statements don’t fit because a tag’s purpose is not to indicate the disconnect is active, that maintenance isn’t needed, or that power is on.