Permit to Work

Objectives
At the end of this session you should be able to: Explain why we use a Permit to Work system Describe the HS&E Permit to Work policy Explain what type of work may require a Permit to Work Describe the role and responsibilities of the person in charge of the work responsible person OIM PTW system administrator Explain your responsibilities in this system Complete a Permit to Work form correctly

Does History repeat itself?

An offshore oil installation can be a very dangerous place when work is not properly co-ordinated with good lines of communication and adequate control measures in place.

Permits are for your protection

Because of the wide range of activities which can take place close together in a small space, there is a high risk of incidents happening if hazardous work is not properly controlled and coordinated. Added to this are the problems of escape and distance of external emergency services should an incident occur.

Permits are for your protection

A permit to work is not simply permission to carry out a hazardous job. It is an essential part of a system which determines how that job can be carried out safely, but should not be regarded as an easy way of avoiding the need to eliminate hazard or reduce risk.

HS&E MANUAL SECTION 4, SUBSECTION 2.2

Policy All installations and facilities will have a Permit to Work system in place for hazardous operations. Purpose: A Permit to Work is not required for every job. Other forms of control measures, such as the THINK Planning Process, Energy Isolations, etc. should be considered before generating a permit.

HS&E MANUAL SECTION 4, SUBSECTION 2.2

The Permit to Work system ensures that authorized personnel, knowledgeable of the hazardous operations to be performed, have Planned the work Inspected the work site Identified the hazards Communicated the suitable control measures to be taken to prevent the occurrence of an incident

What is a Permit to Work System

The Transocean Sedco Forex permit to work system is designed to ensure that authorised and properly trained personnel have considered all foreseeable risks associated with the job and that the risks are adequately addressed by using suitable control measures. To do their work safely those carrying out the job should also think about what they are doing and take all necessary precautions.

What the PTW system does

Ensures authorization for hazardous work to be carried out at a specific time and place.
Ensures personnel carrying out the work understand the job and hazards involved with the job.

Specifies the precautions to be taken, before during and importantly AFTER the job is done
Ensures the OIM (or designee) is fully aware of and approves the work to be done.

What the PTW system does

Provides a record showing the type of work and that a responsible person is assigned Provides a procedure for times when work must be suspended Provides procedures for other activities that may interact

What the PTW system does

Provides a formal hand-over procedure if work overlaps a shift change. Provides a formal hand-back procedure to ensure that any part of the installation affected by the work is in a safe condition and ready for reinstatement. Provide a central display of open or suspended permits.

What the PTW system does

THE ISSUE OF A PERMIT DOES NOT, BY ITSELF, MAKE A JOB SAFE

This can be achieved only by those preparing for the work and those carrying it out. All individuals working offshore should have a good general understanding of the permit to work system. In addition to the permit to work system other precautions may need to be taken.

Types of work that require a permit

Hot Work: Welding and OxyAcetylene cutting anywhere on the installation. All Hot work in designated Hazardous Areas where an explosive gas mixture is likely to occur during normal operations. If for any reason electrical equipment to be worked on cannot be made dead a permit will be raised for this work.

Types of work that require a permit

Confined Space Entry Confined spaces are defined as a tank, mud pit, tunnel or similar where there is a danger of explosion, lack of oxygen or the presence of toxic gases. All spaces that are not normally lit, not normally ventilated and not normally manned are also considered confined spaces. Work Above Open Water All work carried out over open water, outside the handrails and anywhere there is danger of falling into the sea.

Types of work that require a permit

Supply Boats The company strongly discourages allowing any Company personnel to work on supply or work boats. A Permit to Work will be required at any time when personnel from the installation are put on a supply boat to carry out work other than to inspect cargo. Work With Explosives Any time explosives are removed from their certified shipping containers.

Types of work that require a permit

Work With Radioactive Materials Any time radioactive materials are removed from their certified shipping containers. Diving All diving operations carried out from the Installation or where there is an interface between diving operations and the installation.

Types of work that require a permit

Energy Sources The OIM or designate will determine if a Permit to Work is an additional requirement when an isolation certificate is issued for the maintenance or repair of a system or component containing energy. In some cases the work is only hazardous because of the energy. When effective isolation is achieved the work may no longer be hazardous because the energy source, such as electrical energy, hydraulic pressure or air pressure, has been removed.
Asbestos Work involving the cutting, drilling or other disturbances of material that contains asbestos.

Types of work that require a permit

Maintenance Of Critical Safety Systems Work that affects the state of readiness of the installations safety systems, such as the isolation of a gas alarm system or work on the fire fighting system, halon, CO2, alarm signals and other lifesaving equipment. Special Straps (Web Slings) Work involving the use of slings made of synthetic fibre may be carried out in special cases, for example lifting chromium pipes, special drill pipe, engine cylinder heads. Pressure Testing Pressure testing or maintenance on equipment that contains or may contain residual pressure.

Types of work that require a permit

Dangerous Liquids All work involved in the mixing and/or pumping of concentrated acid and other such dangerous liquids. Manriding Manriding in the derrick while the drill string is turning, the blocks are moving, the compensator is stroking or manriding under the drill floor in the moonpool or cellar deck area, using a winch from the drill floor.

Other Other work not covered by the above where the OIM, any supervisor or any risk assessment identifies the requirement of a Permit to Work to control risks.

Validity

The maximum validity of any Permit to Work is 24 hours. If the work is not complete within 24 hours, the existing Permit to Work must be closed out and a new one initiated following all steps listed in this procedure.

Responsibilities
There will always be at least TWO different signatures on the Permit to Work. The same person will not sign as both the Responsible Person and the Person in Charge of the Work. This does not exclude the OIM or designee from acting as the Responsible Person. The Person in Charge of the Work is responsible to: Request the Permit Ensure that specific precautions are complied with throughout the Permit To Work operation Direct on site supervision or carry out the task personally Complete relevant sections of permit Route completed form to those in approval chain of responsibility

Responsible Person (or designee)

Responsible Person (or designee) Designee and Person In Charge of the Work will not be the same person Responsible persons have designated areas of the installation and relevant equipment in their spheres of responsibilities Example: The driller may be designated as the responsible person for any Permit to Work on the drill floor. In certain circumstances the responsible person may designate their duties to a competent person. When the duties are assigned to another person, the responsibility for the safety of the task remains with the responsible person.

Responsible Person (or designate)

Ensure hazards associated with the proposed work have been identified. Identify the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the site or installation. Examine the work site with the person in charge of the work, the person in charge of the work is made aware of the precautions to be taken, particular equipment to be used, and procedures to be followed during the Permit to Work period. Ensure the precautions and controls are implemented before work commences and they will remain effective while the Permit to Work is in force. Ensure permits for work activities that may interact or affect one another are clearly cross-referenced.

Responsible Person (or designate)

Ensure the Permit to Work specifies actions to be taken if the work has to be suspended. Ensure the work site is re-examined before work is restarted, after having been suspended. Examine the work site when the work is completed to ensure that the area is in a safe condition. Ensure the hand-over procedures are properly followed if the work lasts more than one shift. Authorise work and isolations in their area or system of authority. (The OIM will define these areas).

Responsibilities - OIM (or Designee)

The OIM (or Designee) is responsible to:
Ensure all reasonable precautions have been or will be carried out before signing the Permit to Work form. Ensure permits for work activities that may interact or affect one another are clearly cross-referenced. Display a copy of the permit at the administration site until removed upon completion of the work.

Responsibilities - OIM (or Designee)

Sign the permit to indicate his satisfaction with the condition in which the operation was completed or not completed and confirm the permit is no longer in effect. The time and date the permit was closed out by the OIM will be recorded on the permit. Note; this responsibility will not be delegated to a designee. Monitor the effectiveness of this procedure by selected auditing, inspection and testing of in force work permits.

Responsibilities - System Administrator

A System Administrator will be assigned by the OIM

and will be made known to the work force. Copies of the permits will be kept in a central location, e.g. a command or control center. The System Administrator is responsible to: Ensure all copies of active permits are returned to the administration site, at any time permits are suspended The original copy of all permits will be retained on the installation for at least 12 months. Display of Permits A copy of the Permit to Work form will be displayed at the work site.

Suspension of Permits
Suspension of Permits A permit will be suspended for any of the following reasons: Activation of the general alarm or instructions on the PA system. All copies of suspended permits will be returned to the permit administrator and kept until reactivation is allowed. At any time when any person feels that the circumstances have or may change such that the precautions in place are not adequate or other activities going on could cause additional hazards. If it is found that the precautions in place are not adequate.

Reactivation of Permits
Reactivation of Permits Reactivation of the work will only take place after confirmation by the responsible person that all the control measures are in place. Handover process When a permit is to be carried over to another shift, both the responsible person and the person in charge of the work will ensure that the work is understood and the control measures are in place. If the responsible person or the person in charge of the work change, both will sign the permit confirming that the work is understood and the controls are in place.

Using the PTW Form

The following are instructions to assist in completing the Permit to Work form. The Permit to Work form is divided in 5 sections based on the THINK Planning process, Plan Inspect Identify Communicate Control

Plan
Name the person in charge of carrying out the work or being in direct charge of the work. Indicate the type of operation being planned that requires the permit. Indicate where the work is to be carried out. Provide detailed information about the planned task List the starting time and the date Estimate the time and date when this work will be completed. After the work has been completed, indicate the Actual Completion Time and date in the space provided. Enter any documented risk assessments or procedures reviewed or referenced.

Inspect and Identify

Inspect Check off all equipment and materials that will be required for the work. If additional items are required and are not listed on the form, write them in the space provided as the inspection occurs. Identify A suitable and sufficient risk assessment will be performed to identify any hazards. Control measures must then be identified that will reduce the risk to an acceptable level.

Communicate
Communicate Consider appropriate methods of communications such as written, verbal and visual. Who else may be affected by what I am about to do? Are there anyones actions that could affect me? Help everyone understand the plan, their part in the plan and the controls required. Who else needs to know about the task that we are about to do and have they been informed? Can the plan proceed?
This not only entails communicating the plan to all individuals that could be involved in or influenced by the operation but ensuring that they understand the plan and the controls required.

Control
Control The controls identified and discussed will be implemented to reduce the risk of an incident occurring. If isolations are required the isolation type and certificate number will be referenced. The Responsible Person and the Person in Charge of carrying out the work sign the Permit to Work to confirm that the work site has been inspected to ensure all controls and precautions required have been recognized and noted above.

Control
For hot work (welding and oxygen/acetylene cutting) the designated fire-watch signs the Permit to Work to indicate they understand their duties. If the fire watch changes during the work the replacing fire watch signs the work site copy of the Permit to Work confirming that they understand their duties. For confined space entry the designated standby watchman signs the Permit to Work to indicate they understand their duties. If the standby watchman changes during the work the relieving watchman signs the work site copy of the Permit to Work confirming that they understand their duties. If additional control measures are required that were not part of the identification phase in the above process, list those control measures here.

Control
If a permit is suspended, list the reason for suspension, time suspended, and date. If reactivated list time and date of re-action. OIM: The OIM will sign the permit to indicate his satisfaction with the condition in which the operation was completed or not completed and confirm the permit is no longer in effect. The time and date the permit was closed out by the OIM will be recorded on the permit. Note; this responsibility will not be delegated to a designee. Space is provided to include the option for a client representative to print and sign their name for the issuance of a Permit to Work.
A copy of completed Permit to Work forms must be retained in the installation/facility files for a period of one year.

Permit to Work Exercise 1

The rig Welder is about to gas cut some pad-eyes off a bulkhead outside the shaker house. As a group, develop a plan for how this task should be done and complete the necessary forms

Permit to Work Exercise 2

You are the Barge Engineer onboard a Semi Submersible Installation. You have a crew (4 men) of contract scaffolders to erect a work platform underneath the rig floor and over the moonpool to complete some painting. The rig paint crew are also working in the moonpool area preparing the air tuggers for painting. Describe in detail how you would set up this operation and fill out all required documentation.

Exercise 2 - work site diagram

Area to be scaffolded
ROV

moonpool
Subsea w/shop

Mezzanine deck

Air tuggers