is pretty obvious. Were there any personnel injuries ordamaged equipment because of violations to the tag-outprogram? This first method sounds good, but it is notalways accurate. The second method (required) reallydoes not take that much time if performed consistently.Use of the second method also will ensure that personnelinjuries and equipment damage do not occur. Whatmethod are we referring to? It is the audit portion of theprogram.As a maintenance person you probably were notconcerned with the audit portion of the program. Thatis, unless there was a discrepancy found on anequipment tag-out that you were responsible for. Butnow as a GS supervisor your responsibilities havechanged. You will probably be in charge of a workcenter, and as you continue to progress you willprobably qualify as an EOOW/EDO. Eventually youwill be required to know all aspects of the program.Now take a look at how tag-out audits should beconducted.All tag-out logs (records) must be kept in thespace(s) designated by your ship’s instruction.Normally, these records for the engineering departmentwill be kept in the central control station (CCS).Supervisory watch standers (EOOWs/EDOs) mustreview these records as part of the watch-relievingprocess.Checks and audits of all tag-outs must be conductedevery two weeks. However, these requirements may besuperseded by your type commander (TYCOM) or evenyour own ship’s instruction. Remember, just as withPMS, audit frequency can only be increased, notdecreased.1. All outstanding tags listed on the Tag-out RecordSheet must be checked as correctly installed byvisual comparison of the information on the tag,the record sheet, and the item on which the tagis posted. when a valve or switch position isprescribed, a visual check that the item is in itsproper position is made unless an operation suchas removal of a cover, cap, or closure is required.No operation of a valve or switch is authorizedas part of a routine tag-out audit. In addition, aspot check of installed tags should be conductedto ensure that tags so checked are effective (thatis, covered by an active Tag-out Record Sheet).Report all discrepancies in the check of actualposition at once to the EOOW/EDO beforeproceeding any further with the tag audit. Thedate, time, discrepancies (including correctiveactions), and signature of the person conducting2.the check is logged on each Tag-out RecordSheet under the last tag listed.When the actual position of a DANGER-taggedvalve is in question, the EOOW/EDO, with thespecific permission of the responsibledepartment head, if available, may authorizetwo people to independently check the positionof the specific valve(s).NOTEChecking the position of a valve is done only byattempting to turn the valve handwheel/operator asmall amount in the SHUT direction.3.4.This is an approved exception to the prohibitionon operation of DANGER-tagged equipment.This valve position check must be performedusing the applicable approved procedures forvalve lineup checks.All outstanding Tag-out Record Sheets areaudited against the Index/Audit Record section.As part of the audit, each Tag-out Record Sheetis checked as previously specified. The date,discrepancies noted, and signature of the personconducting the audit are logged by a line entryin the Index/Audit Record section of the tag-outlog.Checking the installation of instrument labelsand auditing the logs must be conducted in thesame manner as a tag-out audit.To ensure that tag-out/label procedures are enforcedproperly, the cognizant department head (engineerofficer) frequently checks the tag-out log, notes errors,and brings them to the attention of those responsible.The completed Tag-out Record Sheets and InstrumentLogs are removed by the department head (engineerofficer) after the review.Remember, a violation of any tag compromises theentire tag-out system and could in itself have seriousconsequences.All loose tags that have been removed must bedestroyed.ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTIONCONTROL PROGRAMAs the Navy and our country progress into the 21stcentury, a much needed and stronger emphasis has to be1-2
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