In load tagging, who is responsible for instructing when to stop tagging?

In load tagging, the responsibility for instructing when to stop tagging generally falls on the capstan operator in conjunction with the tower crew. The capstan operator plays a critical role as they are directly involved with the equipment being used to hoist loads, while the tower crew is on-site and can observe the physical condition of the load and its handling. This cooperation ensures that load tagging is conducted safely and effectively.

The capstan operator monitors the tension and movement of the hoisted load, providing essential feedback on when the tagging needs to be paused to ensure all protocols are followed. The tower crew, being the workers on the ground, also communicates the status of the load and any immediate concerns they may have, contributing to shared decision-making about when to stop tagging.

In contrast, the supervisor has an overall managerial role and sets broader operational parameters but may not be directly involved in the immediate execution of the tagging process. The safety officer's role primarily focuses on ensuring compliance with safety regulations rather than directing specific operational tasks like load tagging. Their role, while essential for overarching safety, does not extend to the direct instruction of stop-and-start commands during the tagging process.