What is a key requirement when dealing with equipment tagged as unsafe?

When equipment is tagged as unsafe, the key requirement is to never operate the equipment. This tag serves as an important safety precaution to protect users and maintenance personnel from potential hazards. Operating equipment that has been deemed unsafe can pose serious risks, including injury, further damage to the equipment, or unsafe working conditions.

The purpose of tagging equipment as unsafe is to warn individuals that it is not suitable for use until it has been properly assessed, repaired, or cleared for operation. This protocol ensures that everyone understands the equipment's status and prevents accidental use, highlighting the importance of adhering to safety measures in the workplace.

In contrast, immediate repair, approval from all staff, and operational use with restrictions may not address the fundamental concern of the safety risk posed by the equipment in question. Each of these alternatives could lead to unsafe scenarios, where either insufficient repairs are made or people might inadvertently use the equipment resulting in accidents. Thus, the correct action is to refrain entirely from operating the tagged equipment until the issues have been resolved.