Who is responsible for the issuing and removal of tags?

• A. Engineer On Duty
• B. Maintenance Supervisor
• C. Safety Officer
• D. Authorizing Officer (AO)

Answer: (D)

Tagging and lockout procedures rely on one person having formal authority to authorize isolation and to clear it once work is done. The authorizing officer is the person responsible for issuing the tag at the start of a job, signaling that equipment is isolated and the work is approved, and for removing the tag only after all safety checks are complete and the equipment is safe to return to service. This creates clear accountability and prevents premature or unauthorized re-energization. While engineers, supervisors, and safety officers participate in planning, monitoring, and enforcing the procedure, they do not carry the ultimate authority to authorize or release the tag themselves.