Tags

Tags are a very important component of the lockout/tagout systems. Tags make vital information available to people in the field. Many years ago, tags were not used - only locks were used, if anything. At that time people would regularly come across locks that no one seemed to know much about. Nobody knew who installed them, for what purpose, and more importantly if they were still needed.

Tags are used for two purposes.

A. As a replacement for a lock

For some equipment it is impossible to install a lock during the lockout process. In such cases, a tag can be installed in the same location where a lock would go. If no suitable lock location is available then the tag can be placed in a location where it would be clearly visible to the workers.

B. As a source of information

This is the more common function for a tag. Even when a lock is installed, an informative tag accompanies it.