What is the primary purpose of tag out procedures?

The primary purpose of tag out procedures is to ensure safety during maintenance. These procedures are essential for protecting personnel who are working on equipment or machinery that could inadvertently be activated while maintenance is being performed. By using tag out procedures, workers can signal that machinery should not be operated, often using tags and locks to indicate that maintenance is in progress and that the equipment is inherently hazardous. This creates a clear communication system that helps prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace, ensuring that everyone is aware of the maintenance activities and the associated risks.

While tracking equipment performance, managing inventory, and reporting equipment failures are important aspects of equipment management, they do not specifically focus on the direct safety implications that tag out procedures are designed to address. The central aim of these procedures is to secure a safe working environment for employees during potentially dangerous maintenance tasks.