Training Package

THE WORK PERMIT SYSTEM

The Work Permit System: What is it?

A work permit system consists primarily of a standard procedure designed to ensure
that potentially hazardous routine and non routine work on industrial installations can
be carried out safely. The procedure should define the need for the following essential
steps:
Details of the necessary preparatory work
Clear definition of responsibilities
Appropriate training of the work force
Provision of adequate safety equipment
A formal work permit with or without attached specific checklists.
This work permit:
specifies the work to be accomplished and authorizes it to be started under the strict
observance of consigned work and safety procedures
After information and agreement of all other concerned parties (process, safety,
customers, suppliers,)

The Work Permit System :

When?
For all non-routine works,

For hazardous routine works not covered by procedures,

When work is performed:
by your employees
and/or third parties

The Work Permit System (1/2):

For what kind of work?
A work permit is required in case of:

Potential oxygen deficiency or enrichment

Potential flammable/explosive atmosphere
Potential high temperature/pressure
Potential hazardous chemicals, e.g.: toxic substances
Confined space entry, e.g.: tanks, cold box, pit, normally closed vessels
Bypassing or removing/altering safety devices or equipment
Elevated works
Introduction of ignited sources where not permanently allowed (fire permit),
e.g.: open flame, welding, grinding,
Electrical troubleshooting or repair on live circuits
Maintenance or repairs in areas or to equipment or lines, containing or
supposed to contain hazardous materials or conditions,

The Work Permit System (2/2):

For what kind of work?
Or also in case of:
Manual or powered excavations
Use of mobile cranes
Insulation or catalysts handling
Use of adapters
Product conversion of stationary or mobile or portable vessels and containers
Temporary or permanent changes, alterations, modification of equipment or
processes,
Exposure to traffic,
Exposure to moving/rotating machinery
In proximity of vents, liquid of gas
On process lines with gas release
Etc..

The Work Permit System : Why?

1. Because:
In charge of the work, you dont know everything
about the site and the process around
about the work
Safety measures have to be prepared
You cannot start the work without the OK of the production personnel or the customer
or the supplier
The production needs your OK in order to re-start the plant after your work is
achieved
2. To obtain a safe as well as a quick and cost effective work

The Work Permit System : With who?

In order to define the scope of work for everyone
concerned/involved by and during the work, the Work Permit
must be prepared with:
The person responsible for the work
The person(s) in charge of the production, the customer or
supplier, who will release the process before the work starts
The other work bodies
The person in charge of HSE measures

The Work Permit System : How?

Before issuing the Work Permit, you must:
Describe the work to be done
List all the specifications and drawings which are required
Issue detailed planning with all involved entities
Determine the logging and tagging procedures
Fill-in together the work permit and sign,
The start of the work must be authorized by production and/or
user, The re-start of the process must take place after the
work is finished.

The Work Permit System :

Review of flowsheets, drawings and specifications

Purpose of the review is to ensure all key persons involved in job planning have a
thorough understanding of the job.
It should include: Process fluids and materials involved,
Degree of isolation,
Effect of other processes,
Power supply isolation,
Specialist advice,
Location of underground services and pipes,
Location of elevated power cables,
Location of elevated pipelines and walkways,
Purging and lock-out requirements,
Pressure, Temperature,
Valve identification,
Equipment specification,
Operating and maintenance instructions,
Materials of construction and compatibilities

The Work Permit System :

Work site inspection
Anyone involved and signing the Safe Work Permit must visit the
work place in order:

To inspect the work area

Neighbouring activities, site rules, overhead, underground,

access, natural hazards (flood, rain, snow), etc,..

To identify potential hazards

Flammable, oxygen, toxic substances, confined spaces,
electricity, pressure, temperature, moving objects, traffic,
falls/trips/slips, etc,..

The Work Permit System :

Development of work procedures
Preparation of a detailed work procedure is essential to ensure the work will
proceed safely in a planned and logical manner:
Following requirements to be considered:

Reference drawings, Timing of various operations, Details of any special

equipment, Needs to inform local authorities, safety precautions and equipment,
Emergency procedures, etc,..

The procedure should include:

Logging and tagging procedures: Electricity, process fluids Instrumentation, utilities

(water, air, oil,)

Depressurising, Draining, Venting, Purging, Flushing, Isolating, Atmosphere

checking, Disassembly of equipment, Method of repair, Reassembly and
installation, Quality control, Pressure and leak testing, Reinstatement of
equipment, Hand-back procedure, etc..

Any attached document or log sheet ?

YES
NO
HOW MANY ..
List of attached documents .........
1. WORK ACTIVITY
Plant / Unit :.........
Description of work to be done................
Permit valid from :
Hours/date
To :.
Hours/date
Have all relevant departments/personnel been consulted ?
YES
NOT APPLICABLE

The Work
Permit
System:

2. POTENTIAL HAZARDS & HAZARDOUS JOBS

YES NO

. Jobs performed by contractors or temporary workers

. Potential oxygen deficiency or enrichment
. Potential flammable / explosive atmosphere
. Potential high temperature / pressure
. Potential exposure to hazardous chemicals (toxic, reactive,

containing or supposed to contain hazardous materials or conditions

. Manual or powered excavations

acid, caustic.)
. Confined space entry
. Bypassing or removing/altering safety devices and equipment
. Elevated work
. Introduction of ignition sources where not permanently
allowed (fire permit)
. Electrical troubleshooting or repair on live circuits

. Use of mobile cranes

. Insulation or catalyst handling
. Use of adapters
. Product conversion of stationary or mobile or portable vessels
and containers

. Temporary or permanent changes, alterations, modifications of

equipment or processes
. Exposure to traffic (road, mail)
. Exposure to moving / rotating machinery

Others (state) .....

3. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
YES NO

. Draining
. Depressurising
. Physical Isolation
. Electrical Isolation
. Safety tags and locks
. Flushing with water/solvent
. Steaming out

YES NO

. Remove hazardous materials

. Fresh air ventilation
. Atmosphere analysis :
. Oxygen
. Flammable
. Toxic
. Other
. Area marked off
. Warning notices

. Purging with inert gas/air

. Temperature normalisation

Example
of form

YES NO

. Maintenance or repairs in areas, or to equipment or lines,

YES NO

. Standby man
. Elevated work
. Contractors trained
. Eliminate ignition sources
. Fire hose
. Fire screen
. Wet surrounding area
. Audible/visible warnings
. Clear area of combustibles
. Fire extinguishers

Others (state) .

Type : ..

4. PERSONNEL PROTECTION
YES NO

. Head
. Face
. Eyes

YES NO

. Ears
. Hands
. Feet

YES NO

. Body
. Breathing
. Others

State Special Requirements :

5. WORK AUTHORISATION
Issuer :

This certifies that I have consulted all relevant departments/personnel, discussed the scope of work, inspected the preparatory work
and the work area covered by this Work Permit. I therefore confirm that the work, as detailed in Section 1, can be carried out.
Name : ....

Signature :

Person responsible for work : The successive steps of the work, the potential hazards and the safety precautions have been explained and understood.
Name / Company :

6. CLOSING

Signature :

The Work Permit System :

Work Planning
WORK SCOPE
REVIEW DRAWINGS / FLOWSHEETS
INSPECT WORKSITE
IDENTIFY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS
DEVELOP WORK PROCEDURE
ASSIGN RESPONSIBILITIES
COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES
WORK EXECUTION

The Work Permit System :

Work Execution
PREPARATORY WORK
ISSUE WORK PERMITS
SUPERVISION MONITORING
WORK COMPLETED
TESTING
RE-INSTATE EQUIPMENT
RETURN WORK PERMIT
HANDBACK PLANT / EQUIPMENT

The Work Permit System :

Permit issuers responsibilities
INSPECTING WORK AREA
IDENTIFYING HAZARDS
DEFINING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
OBSERVING PRINCIPLES OF SAFE WORKING
PRACTICES
CREATING WORK PERMIT CONDITIONS
REVIEWING WORK WITH PERMIT ACCEPTOR

ISSUING WORK PERMIT

IMPLEMENTING HANDBACK PROCEDURE

The Work Permit System :

Permit acceptors responsibilities
UNDERSTANDING OF WORK PROCEDURES

UNDERSTANDING POTENTIAL HAZARDS AND

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

ACCEPTING THE SAFE WORK PERMIT

OBSERVING PERMIT CONDITIONS

COMPLYING WITH HANDBACK PROCEDURE

The Work Permit System : In brief

Many accidents have occurred due to lack of Work Permit or non observance
of its consigned safety measures.

The Safe Work Permit is useful for:

The safety of persons in charge of the work
The safety of persons in charge of the process
The risk management of the process and equipment

It is not one more administrative paper!

Fill in and follow correctly the work permit, because.

It could save your life!