In industrial environments, safety is of utmost importance, especially when dealing with heavy machinery and complex equipment. One of the crucial safety practices implemented across industries is the Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedure. While Lockout involves physically isolating equipment from its energy sources with locks, Tagout is a complementary practice that plays an equally significant role in ensuring worker safety. Tagout, specifically, uses labels and warning tags to alert workers that a machine or piece of equipment is not to be operated due to ongoing maintenance or repair work.

    Tagout refers to the process of placing a warning tag on equipment or machinery that is being serviced or repaired. This tag indicates that the equipment should not be used or energized, preventing accidents caused by accidental start-up or the release of hazardous energy. The tag itself typically displays clear messages such as "Do Not Operate" or "Under Repair," ensuring that anyone who might come in contact with the equipment understands that it is off-limits for use.

    Unlike Lockout, which physically isolates equipment by locking energy control devices, Tagout relies on the use of warning tags. These tags are an essential element in energy control procedures, especially in cases where locking the energy isolating device is not feasible. In many industries, a combination of Lockout and Tagout is used to maximize safety during maintenance activities.