1. Make the Tag Conspicuous.
The tag shall not be a wallflower. The tag is guarding someone’s life and must stand out. We recommend using fluorescent colors when possible. The border helps make the tag visible against a light background.

2. Use Plastic Snap-Grommets.
Metal eyelets are conductive whereas plastic grommets have a higher dielectric resistance. Why take the risk in this high voltage environment? Some metal eyelets are not as strong and can corrode and stain the tag.

3. Hole Must Be At Least ½”.
Tags are often used with locks and the hole of the tag should be big enough to handle a lock shank. A smaller hole requires that you attach a tie wrap to the tag and this wastes time and adds to the cost of the tag.

4. Larger is Better.
Don’t scrimp. A small tag means small print, which is hard to read and fill out. Handwriting requires at least 1/4” between rows. The extra cost is slight when compared to the benefit of increased legibility. A tag that is hard to fill in will be ignored and the integrity of your program collapses. For those applications where a large tag would interfere with the operation of the equipment, add a second, smaller size. Do not compromise the readability of some of the tags by making all tags smaller. Or, use software to print your own tags on site, using a thermal or laser printer. This ensures that even small print is legible.

5. Make Sure the Header Can Be Read.
The letters used in the header should be at least 3/8” high. Most tags use the word “Danger”, as the header. New ANSI tag standard Z535.5 favors the use of the Signal Alert triangle in the header over the Danger oval header shape.

6. Use a Symbol.
Tags don’t always get read. Under pressure to get a job done, workers cut corners and the consequences could be deadly. A symbol conveys the danger quickly and powerfully, even to workers who do not read English well or those who cannot read small print.

7. Streamline the Primary Message.
Simplify your primary warning message. Make it large and bold. Some common messages here are: Do Not Operate. / My Life Is On The Line / Do Not Reclose / You Are Fired If You Remove This Tag Without Approval.

8. Walk the User Through the Tag.
Filling it out should be quick and obvious. We recommend printing small numbers that show, on a step-by-step basis, the information required.

9. Don’t Forget the Back of the Tag.
At the very least, the back of the tag must refer to the front. The best tags, however, give instructions.

10. Consider How to Remove a Tag.
Tags are temporary. The integrity of your LOTO program depends on old tags being discarded or logged out. The small V-slot on some of our tags allows you to rip them up when the job is done. Other customers use a perforated section of the tag that can be sent back to the office to record a completed job.