What does a 'do not operate' tag indicate and what actions should be taken?

• A. It indicates a hazardous condition or inoperative system; do not operate until corrected and authorized.
• B. It is a note for cosmetic issues.
• C. It signals routine maintenance is complete.
• D. It means the system is safe to operate.

Answer: (A)

A Do Not Operate tag is a safety signal that a system or equipment has a hazardous condition or is inoperative, and it must not be powered up or used until the issue is fixed and an authorized person clears it. This is part of the tag-out safety practice that protects people and equipment by preventing inadvertent operation of something that isn’t safe to run. When you encounter the tag, you should not energize or operate the system and you should alert the appropriate maintenance or supervisory personnel. The system stays blocked until maintenance inspects, repairs, and confirms proper function, after which an authorized individual removes the tag and verifies safe operation. This ensures risks are addressed before any use.

The other options don’t fit because a cosmetic note, a sign that routine maintenance is complete, or a message that the system is safe to operate would not convey the safety restriction or the need for authorization before use.