AF Form 979 Danger Tag: Air Force Guide & Download

AF Form 979 Danger Tag: Air Force Guide & Download – The AF Form 979, officially titled DANGER TAG, serves as a critical safety tool in the United States Air Force. It warns personnel of immediate hazards that could endanger lives or property. This red tag plays a key role in mishap prevention programs, ensuring defective or hazardous equipment is taken out of service until corrected.

Air Force members, civilians, and contractors working in maintenance, industrial, or operational environments must understand its proper use to comply with safety standards and prevent accidents.

What Is AF Form 979 (Danger Tag)?

The AF Form 979 is a standardized mishap prevention tag used across the Department of the Air Force (including the US Space Force). It alerts users to immediate dangers (Risk Assessment Code or RAC 1 through 3) where special precautions are required to protect personnel or equipment.

Unlike caution or out-of-order tags, the Danger Tag signals conditions that pose a serious, imminent risk. It is not intended for routine maintenance discrepancies on aircraft (where other forms or symbols like Red X are used) or for standard lockout/tagout procedures (which use AF Form 983).

Key characteristics:

Bright red design for high visibility.
Wording typically includes “DO NOT USE THIS EQUIPMENT” or “DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT, DO NOT USE.”
Temporary tag attached directly to the affected item.

You can download the current official version directly from the Air Force e-Publishing site: AF Form 979 PDF.

Purpose of the AF Form 979 Danger Tag

The primary purpose is to prevent use of unsafe equipment until hazards are fully resolved. Supervisors and on-duty personnel attach it to damaged, defective, or hazardous items to:

Immediately remove equipment from service.
Communicate that special precautions are mandatory.
Support compliance with DAFMAN 91-203 (Air Force Occupational Safety, Fire, and Health Standards) and DAFI 91-202 (The Department of the Air Force Mishap Prevention Program).

It aligns with broader federal standards, including OSHA 29 CFR 1910.145 (Specifications for Accident Prevention Signs and Tags). Danger tags are reserved exclusively for high-risk situations, not potential or minor hazards.

Common scenarios include:

Damaged machinery or tools posing electrical, mechanical, or structural risks.
Equipment with immediate safety defects identified during inspections.
Conditions requiring urgent action before repair or lockout.

Note: For hazardous energy control (lockout/tagout), use AF Form 983 (Danger – Equipment Lockout Tag) instead. The AF Form 979 may be used in conjunction with other tags in some cases.

When and How to Use AF Form 979?

Use the Danger Tag when:

An immediate hazard (RAC 1-3) exists.
Equipment is damaged and must be taken out of service until repaired.
Technical Orders (TOs) or manuals mandate its use for personnel/property protection.

Do not use it for:

On-equipment aircraft maintenance discrepancies (follow TO 00-20-1 guidance).
Non-immediate or potential hazards (use AF Form 980 Caution Tag instead).
Standard lockout/tagout (use AF Form 983).

How to apply it (per DAFMAN 91-203 guidance):

The on-duty supervisor or responsible individual completes the tag.
Attach it conspicuously to the equipment.
Include clear wording such as “DO NOT USE THIS EQUIPMENT.”
Annotate any supporting equipment records if applicable.
Remove the tag only after the hazard is corrected and verified (typically by the supervisor or authorized personnel).

All personnel must receive training on the meaning of Danger tags: they indicate immediate danger requiring special precautions.

How to Fill Out AF Form 979?

While the exact layout is shown in the official PDF, typical blocks include:

Description of hazard or defect
Equipment identification (serial number, location, etc.)
Date and time attached
Printed name and signature of the person attaching the tag
Reason for tagging and required precautions
Reverse side often provides additional instructions or space for notes

Always use the latest version from e-Publishing to ensure compliance. Handwriting must be legible, and entries should be factual and specific.

The AF Form 979 is part of a family of mishap prevention tags:

AF Form 980 — Caution Tag (potential hazards, unsafe practices)
AF Form 981 — Out of Order Tag (equipment out of service, use might be hazardous)
AF Form 982 — Do Not Start Tag (blocks starting mechanisms; often used with Danger Tag)
AF Form 983 — Danger – Equipment Lockout Tag (for lockout/tagout procedures)

These tags help create a layered safety approach in maintenance shops, industrial areas, and workplaces.

Why Proper Use of AF Form 979 Matters?

Using the Danger Tag correctly:

Prevents serious injuries and equipment damage.
Demonstrates compliance during safety inspections and audits.
Supports the Air Force’s overall mishap prevention culture.
Helps meet OSHA-aligned standards while addressing DAF-specific requirements.

Failure to use or respect these tags can lead to mishaps, disciplinary actions, or violations of safety directives.

Download and Official Resources (US Air Force)

Official AF Form 979 PDF: Download here
DAFMAN 91-203 (Occupational Safety Standards) — Primary reference for tag usage.
DAFI 91-202 (Mishap Prevention Program) — Broader safety policy.
Air Force e-Publishing: www.e-publishing.af.mil for all current forms and publications.

For unit-specific guidance, consult your local Safety Office or supervisor. Training on these tags is typically included in occupational safety, hazardous energy control, and supervisor courses.

Stay safe — when you see a red AF Form 979 Danger Tag, treat it with the highest respect. Do not remove or operate the tagged equipment until the hazard is resolved.

This article is for informational purposes and is based on official Department of the Air Force publications as of 2026. Always refer to the most current versions on e-Publishing for compliance.