Which statement correctly describes what tags shall do?

• A. Prohibit operation of the disconnecting means and shall indicate that employees are at work.
• B. Indicate that the equipment is in service.
• C. Prohibit testing of the equipment.
• D. Indicate that maintenance is complete.

Answer: (A)

Tags are warning devices used during energy control to prevent the equipment from being operated while work is being done. They accompany the energy-disconnecting device and indicate that the equipment is under a control procedure and should not be energized. The tag should identify who applied it, the date/time, and the reason for tagging, which helps ensure accountability and that others know workers are on site performing maintenance or servicing. This is why the statement that tags prohibit operation and indicate that employees are at work reflects their primary purpose. They are not a stand-alone physical barrier like a lock, they don’t certify that equipment is in service, and they don’t by themselves indicate that testing or maintenance is complete.