Whenever you make repairs, you will be required to isolate and tag-out that equipment or section of the system. The tag-out program provides a procedure to be used when a component, piece of equipment, system, or portion of a system must be isolated because of some abnormal condition. The tag-out program also provides a procedure to be used when an instrument becomes unreliable or is not operating properly. The major difference between equipment tag-out and instrument tag-out is that tags are used for equipment tag-out and labels are used for instrument tag-out.

Tag-out procedures are described in Standard Organization and Regulations of the U.S. Navy, OPNAVINST 3120.32B. and represent the minimum requirements for tag-out. These procedures are mandatory and are standardized aboard ships and repair

Figure 1-6.CAUTION tag.

Figure 1-7.DANGER tag.

activities. The following definitions are used in the tag-out bill:

1. Authorizing officer-This individual has the authority to sign tags and labels and to have tags and labels issued or cleared. The authorizing officer is always the officer responsible for supervising the tag-out log. The commanding officer designates authorizing officers by billet or watch station. The authorizing officer for engineering is normally the EOOW underway and the engineering duty officer (EDO) in port.

2. Department duty officer (DDO) (repair activities only)-This individual is designated as DDO on the approved watch bill or plan of the day.

3.Engineering officer of the watch (EOOW)This individual may be either the EOOW or the EDO, depending on engineering plant conditions.

4.Officer of the deck (OOD)This individual may be either the OOD or the ships duty officer, depending on the ships condition.

5. CAUTION tag (See fig. 1-6.)This is a YELLOW tag used as a precautionary measure. It provides temporary special instructions or warns that unusual caution must be used to operate the equipment. These instructions must state exactly why the tag is installed. Use of phrases such as DO NOT OPERATE WITHOUT EOOW PERMISSION is not appropriate. Yellow tagged equipment or systems must not be operated without permission from the responsible supervisor. The CAUTION tag may not be used if personnel or equipment can be endangered while working under normal operating procedures. In such cases, a DANGER tag must be used.

6.DANGER tag (See fig. 1-7.)This is a RED tag that prohibits the operation of equipment that could jeopardize the safety of personnel or endanger equipment, systems, or components. Equipment may not be operated or removed when tagged with DANGER tags.

7. OUT-OF-CALIBRATION labels (See fig. 1-8.)These are ORANGE labels used to identify instruments that are out of calibration and do not give accurate readings. These labels warn that the instruments may be used for system operation, but only with extreme caution.

8. OUT-OF-COMMISSION labels (See fig. 1-9)These are RED labels used to identify instruments that will not give accurate readings because they are either defective or isolated from the system. The instruments should not be used until they have been recertified for use.

9. Repair activityThis is any activity other than the ships force that is involved in the construction, testing, repair, overhaul, refueling, or maintenance of the ship (intermediate or depot level maintenance activities).

10. Ships forceThese are personnel who are assigned to the ship and are responsible for the maintenance and operation of the ships systems and equipment. Only qualified personnel are authorized to make a tag-out.

11. Tag-out logThis is the control document used to administer the entire tag-out procedure.

Figure 1-8.Out-of-calibration label.

Figure 1-9.Out-of-commision label.