What is the purpose of a tagout device?

A tagout device serves a crucial safety purpose in ensuring that machinery or electrical systems are not inadvertently energized while maintenance or service work is being performed. Specifically, it is used to signal that electrical power must remain off, which is essential to protect individuals working on or near the equipment. By clearly indicating that the machinery should not be powered up, tagout devices prevent accidental startup that could cause serious injuries.

The use of tagout devices is part of a broader safety protocol known as Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), which aims to safeguard workers by effectively disabling machinery during maintenance. This practice involves not only tagging but often locking machines to ensure that they cannot be turned on until the maintenance work is complete and it is safe to do so.

In the context of the other answers, securing machine parts during operation does not align with the function of tagout devices, which are specifically meant for maintenance and service scenarios. Indicating that a machine must remain powered on contradicts the purpose of a tagout device, as these devices are used to signal that power must remain off. Controlling the flow of ink during printing pertains to a different area of operation entirely and does not relate to the safety protocols enforced by tagout devices.