A tag-out procedure is necessary because of the complexity of modem ships and the cost, delays, and hazards to personnel that can result from the improper operation of equipment. Learn and use the following guidelines:

1. Enforce the tag-out procedure at all times. You must do this during normal operations as well as during construction, testing, repair, or maintenance.

2. Do not use tags or labels as a substitute for other safety measures. Examples are chaining or locking valves, removing fuses, or racking out circuit breakers. However, you must attach tags to the fuse panel, the racked-out circuit breaker cabinet, or a locked valve to show a need for action. You do not need to use tags where a device will be locked during normal operations.

3. Use tags to show the presence of, and the requirement for, freeze seals, blank flanges, or similar safety devices. When equipment or components are placed out of commission, use the tag-out procedures to control the status of the affected equipment. Examples are disconnecting electrical leads, providing jumpers, or pulling fuses for testing or maintenance.

4. Never use tag-outs to identify valves, to mark leaks, or for any purpose not specified in the tag-out procedure.

5. Do not laminate tags or labels for reuse. The reuse of tags or labels is not allowed.

6. The absence of a tag or label may not be taken as permission for unauthorized operation of equipment.

7. Whenever a tag or label is issued, correct the situation requiring the tag or label so it can be removed as soon as possible.

8. The tag-out procedure is for use by the ships personnel on the equipment and systems for which they are responsible. However, repair activity personnel should use the procedure to the maximum extent practicable with systems and equipment that are still under construction.

9. Standard Organization and Regulations of the U.S. Navy, OPNAV Instruction 3120.32B, is also required when work is being done by an intermediate level maintenance activity on equipment or systems that are the responsibility of the ships force. Sometimes a ship is under construction or assigned to a repair activity not under the control of the type commander. When that happens, the ships force and the repair activity may have to agree on the use of tags and labels. In this case, the tag-out system should be formal in nature and familiar to both the repair activity and the ships force.

10.Any person who knows of a situation requiring tags or labels should request that they be issued and applied.

11.When using labels, you should list on the log any associated requirements specified for installation procedures, test procedures, work permits (ripouts or reentries), or system turnover agreements.

12. Make each decision on a case-by-case basis as to whether an OUT-OF-COMMISSION or an OUT-OF-CALIBRATION instrument label is to be used. In general, if the instrument error is small and consistent, you can use an OUT-OF-CALIBRATION label and the operator may continue to use the instrument. When you use an OUT-OF-CALIBRATION label, mark on the label the magnitude and units of the required correction. However, when you use an OUT-OF-COMMISSION label, the instrument should not be used.

13. Use enough tags to completely isolate a section of piping or circuit being worked on, or to prevent the operation of a system or component from all stations that could exercise control. Use system diagrams or circuit schematics to determine the adequacy of all tag-out actions.

14. Careful planning of tag-outs can significantly reduce the number of record sheets and tags. Planning can also reduce the effort required to perform audits, particularly during periods of overhaul or repair. For example, a system and the equipment serviced by the system can be isolated and tagged-out at its boundaries with other systems. Then several different actions can be performed within the boundaries. Also, only one tag-out record sheet with associated tags will be required for the work within the boundaries. When you initiate the tag-out, include all known work items in the Operations/Work Items Included in Tag-out section. If you add work items to a tag-out record sheet after initial issue, take the following action:

a.If no additional tags are required for the new work, have the authorizing officer and, if required, the repair activity representative make sure the work is consistent with the purpose of the tag-out. New work must be fully described in the Operations/Work Items Included in Tag-out section of the record sheet. The authorizing officer should make a thorough review to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the existing tag-out. This is the same procedure used to initiate a new tag-out record sheet for the added work The authorizing officer (and repair activity representative) should sign the appropriate blocks next to the added item.

b. Additional tags may be needed to provide enough isolation for work that is to be added. If so, you must follow the procedures described later in this chapter for adding tags to an existing record sheet.