NALMCO Certified Apprentice Lighting Technician (CALT) Practice Exam

The "tagout" part of the lockout/tagout rule essentially means what?

1. A lockout device is added to ensure the system stays disconnected

2. A tagout device is added to alert people not to re-energize the system

3. A lockout device is installed to disconnect an energy-using device

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: A tagout device is added to alert people not to re-energize the system

The "tagout" component of the lockout/tagout (LOTO) rule specifically refers to the practice of using a tagout device to indicate that a machine or equipment is not to be operated. This is crucial for ensuring safety when maintenance or servicing is being conducted on energy-using devices. The tag serves as a communication tool that alerts personnel that the system is in a state of being serviced and should not be re-energized until the work is complete and the tag is removed by the authorized person who placed it. This tagging process plays an essential role in preventing accidental startups or re-energization, thereby protecting workers from potentially hazardous situations that could occur if the equipment were to be inadvertently activated. Hence, the tagout device not only provides a visual warning but reinforces the lockout procedure, which is the primary method of ensuring that energy sources are properly isolated. This understanding highlights the importance of proper safety protocols and communication in a workplace environment that deals with potentially hazardous equipment and systems.