Who authorizes the removal of tags?

• A. Watch Officer
• B. Authorizing Officer (AO)
• C. Safety Officer
• D. Engineering Officer

Answer: (B)

The key idea is who has final authority to allow a tag to be removed. Removing a tag is a controlled step that signals the equipment has been checked and is safe to operate again. The person designated to give that clearance is the Authorizing Officer. The AO reviews that all required maintenance, safety checks, and verification are complete and that there’s no remaining hazard before the tag is taken off. The Watch Officer oversees day-to-day operations and safety during a shift, but does not grant release to remove a tag. The Safety Officer provides safety oversight but does not have the final sign-off for tag removal. The Engineering Officer may perform or supervise the work, but the formal authorization to remove the tag rests with the AO to maintain proper accountability and documentation.