Who authorizes the removal of tags?

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

Answer: (A)

Removing safety tags is controlled because it signals that equipment is once again safe to operate. The person designated to approve re-energizing and resuming normal operation—the Authorizing Officer—has the authority to verify that all isolation steps are complete, that the work is finished, and that there are no remaining hazards. Once the AO confirms this, they authorize tag removal and the equipment can be safely returned to service. This keeps everyone protected by ensuring only the person with the proper authorization can remove the tag. The Safety Officer, Engineering Officer, and Watch Officer each have important safety or operational roles, but they do not carry the formal authorization to remove tags unless a specific procedure assigns that duty to them.