is  pretty  obvious.  Were  there  any  personnel  injuries  or damaged  equipment  because  of  violations  to  the  tag-out program?   This   first   method   sounds   good,   but   it   is   not always  accurate.  The  second  method  (required)  really does  not  take  that  much  time  if  performed  consistently. Use  of  the  second  method  also  will  ensure  that  personnel injuries  and  equipment  damage  do  not  occur.  What method  are  we  referring  to?  It  is  the  audit  portion  of  the program. As  a  maintenance  person  you  probably  were  not concerned   with   the   audit   portion   of   the   program.   That is,   unless   there   was   a   discrepancy   found   on   an equipment  tag-out  that  you  were  responsible  for.  But now   as   a   GS   supervisor   your   responsibilities   have changed.   You   will   probably   be   in   charge   of   a   work center,   and   as   you   continue   to   progress   you   will probably   qualify   as   an   EOOW/EDO.   Eventually   you will  be  required  to  know  all  aspects  of  the  program. Now   take   a   look   at   how   tag-out   audits   should   be conducted. All   tag-out   logs   (records)   must   be   kept   in   the space(s)   designated   by   your   ship’s   instruction. Normally,   these   records   for   the   engineering   department will   be   kept   in   the   central   control   station   (CCS). Supervisory  watch  standers  (EOOWs/EDOs)  must review  these  records  as  part  of  the  watch-relieving process. Checks  and  audits  of  all  tag-outs  must  be  conducted every  two  weeks.  However,  these  requirements  may  be superseded  by  your  type  commander  (TYCOM)  or  even your   own   ship’s   instruction.   Remember,   just   as   with PMS,  audit   frequency   can   only   be   increased,   not decreased. 1.  All  outstanding  tags  listed  on  the  Tag-out  Record Sheet  must  be  checked  as  correctly  installed  by visual  comparison  of  the  information  on  the  tag, the  record  sheet,  and  the  item  on  which  the  tag is  posted.  when  a  valve  or  switch  position  is prescribed,  a  visual  check  that  the  item  is  in  its proper  position  is  made  unless  an  operation  such as  removal  of  a  cover,  cap,  or  closure  is  required. No  operation  of  a  valve  or  switch  is  authorized as  part  of  a  routine  tag-out  audit.  In  addition,  a spot  check  of  installed  tags  should  be  conducted to  ensure  that  tags  so  checked  are  effective  (that is,  covered  by  an  active  Tag-out  Record  Sheet). Report   all   discrepancies   in   the   check   of   actual position   at   once   to   the   EOOW/EDO   before proceeding   any   further   with   the   tag   audit.   The date,   time,   discrepancies   (including   corrective actions),  and  signature  of  the  person  conducting 2. the   check   is   logged   on   each   Tag-out   Record Sheet  under  the  last  tag  listed. When  the  actual  position  of  a  DANGER-tagged valve  is  in  question,  the  EOOW/EDO,  with  the specific   permission   of   the   responsible department   head,   if   available,   may   authorize two   people   to   independently   check   the   position of  the  specific  valve(s). NOTE Checking  the  position  of  a  valve  is  done  only  by attempting   to   turn   the   valve   handwheel/operator   a small  amount  in  the  SHUT  direction. 3. 4. This  is  an  approved  exception  to  the  prohibition on   operation   of   DANGER-tagged   equipment. This   valve   position   check   must   be   performed using   the   applicable   approved   procedures   for valve   lineup   checks. All   outstanding   Tag-out   Record   Sheets   are audited   against   the   Index/Audit   Record   section. As  part  of  the  audit,  each  Tag-out  Record  Sheet is   checked   as   previously   specified.   The   date, discrepancies  noted,  and  signature  of  the  person conducting  the  audit  are  logged  by  a  line  entry in  the  Index/Audit  Record  section  of  the  tag-out log. Checking   the   installation   of   instrument   labels and  auditing  the  logs  must  be  conducted  in  the same  manner  as  a  tag-out  audit. To  ensure  that  tag-out/label  procedures  are  enforced properly,   the   cognizant   department   head   (engineer officer)   frequently   checks   the   tag-out   log,   notes   errors, and   brings   them   to   the   attention   of   those   responsible. The  completed  Tag-out  Record  Sheets  and  Instrument Logs   are   removed   by   the   department   head   (engineer officer)  after  the  review. Remember,  a  violation  of  any  tag  compromises  the entire   tag-out   system   and   could   in   itself   have   serious consequences. All   loose   tags   that   have   been   removed   must   be destroyed. ENVIRONMENTAL   POLLUTION CONTROL   PROGRAM As  the  Navy  and  our  country  progress  into  the  21^st century,  a  much  needed  and  stronger  emphasis  has  to  be 1-2