The invention provides a tape monitoring system for use with a taping machine that is mounted independent of a taping head. The tape monitoring system includes a tape dispensing sensor for determining whether tape is being dispensed from the tape supply and capable of providing a signal relating to a tape dispensing velocity, an object presence sensor for determining whether an object is present for taping and capable of providing a response when the object is present, and a control system operatively connected to the tape dispensing sensor and the object presence sensor for determining a potential error condition.