6.2.1 Obtaining and Filling in Permit Forms
The list in 3.5.4 shows by colour coding which type of Permit is to be used, depending on the work to be done, and the area where it will be done.
Departments/Contractors who apply for Permits should keep their own pads of Permit forms.
These may be obtained from PDO stores using appropriate SAP number.
The Permit is divided into sections, called “boxes” (box 1 to box13) in this manual. Do not write information outside these boxes.
Where any box on a Permit form is not used, it should be marked N/A. or have a line drawn through it. Boxes must not be left blank. This applies to the main boxes 1 – 13 not the individual tick boxes.
There are a number of tick boxes (e.g. Haz Zone 0) on the Permit to indicate area classification, gas test options etc. These are to be ticked with clear ticks when required.
Permits must be completed in ball-point pen, to ensure that all copies of the Permit can be read easily. Felt pen or pencil must not be used.
NO changes to the wording on a Permit are allowed. If changes are required, a new Permit must be raised. The only exception is correcting small mistakes, where the mistake is crossed out and the change initialled by the Permit Applicant and Responsible Supervisor.
Additions to the work scope are NOT ALLOWED under any circumstances. If an addition to the work scope is required, a new Permit shall be raised. It is at the Responsible Supervisor’s discretion whether an additional period of 48 or 72 hrs is required before Authorisation of the new Permit and whether the additional workscope requires an additional site visit.
6.2.2 Application and Work Description – Box 1 Permit Applicant
The Permit Applicant, normally the supervisor of the personnel doing the work, must have passed the Permit Signatories course, and must be licensed as a Permit Applicant, Area Authority, or Responsible Supervisor for the area in which the work is being carried out.
The Permit Applicant will then fill details of the activity by choosing the activities he needs from the table in Section 3.5.4. and entering the following information into the appropriate boxes.
Header
In the Header area at the top left of the Permit:
Write the Work Order title or a short description of the work in the Work Order title box.
Tick the appropriate Hotwork box (Yes or No)
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In Box 1 of the Permit, enter:
The location of the Work (e.g. Station Name), and the Worksite (the exact place in the Station where the work is to be done). For repetitive routine tasks (subject of a planned routine) across different stations, where the intrinsic hazard is the same, (i.e.
NDT work, Beam Pump maintenance) and the site conditions are similar (e.g. No change in H2S classification,) the Responsible Supervisor may allow a number of stations or worksites to be identified on a single permit. There may be a particular activity that presents the same intrinsic hazards regardless of location e.g. NDT where the activity procedure is exactly the same each time. These activities can be included under the same permit with the agreement of the Responsible Supervisor.
Activity Numbers that apply to the task (refer to section 3.5.4)
The maximum number in the workparty should be agreed at the time of permit authorisation by the Responsible Supervisor, Area Authority, and Permit Applicant, and consideration should be given to worksite location and visibility of work party. A documented Risk Assessment should be presented with the Job HSE Plan when the workparty strength exceeds 20.
The Hazardous Area Classification of the worksite (shown on Hazardous Area drawings for the Station).
Whether the work involves working with Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) or in a NORM Restricted Area (refer to SP-1170 Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials).
Whether the work involves potential exposure to Mercury (refer to PR-1515 Onsite Mercury Management Procedure)
Whether the work is in an H2S Facility (shown on the H2S Facility listing in the Area Safety Case) and the station classification / designation, and what the expected maximum H2S concentration (taken from the H2S classification data in ppm) is.
Whether vehicle access to a Process Facility will be required (details of the vehicle are to be written on the form under vehicle access).
The number of the Work Order, or Engineering Work pack for the work. This is very important, as it is used to link the permit to the daily schedule in the work tracking system.
The numbers of any Permits for other parts of the work (in the Associated Permit Number boxes). This will include any previous Permit for the work.
If the work is in the “frozen plan” or not - the Area Planner should initial this part
Any special equipment to be used, especially if it may introduce a hazard.
The Work Description must include enough information to allow Responsible Supervisors to identify the hazards involved in the work and the Precautions necessary to control them.
A single Permit must not to be used for a sequence of separate pieces of equipment, where each piece of equipment will be shut down, worked on and put back into service, whilst the other equipment remain in service. This is to avoid confusion over isolations. The only exception allowed is work on electrical or electronic systems, such as lighting, which can be isolated and worked on in sequence.
However, a single permit can be used for multi discipline activities under the supervision of a single PTW Holder, providing that the PTWH understands all the hazards associated with the activity, and he has been licensed accordingly.
When a Permit is written for fault finding, it is important that the work description does not allow the work party to proceed with repair activities without the risks involved being assessed. The work description should include:
A description of the fault to be investigated.
A description of the types of fault finding work that may be done.
The point at which work should stop, so that a further Permit for the repair can be raised.
Job HSE Plan
The Permit Applicant shall produce a Job HSE Plan (See Section 11.2) which will:
Identify the hazards due to work and its location,
Define the safety precautions required.
Include a worksite examination to identify and assess the hazards (except for Class B Permits at remote locations where it is known that no other facilities, such as overhead or underground services could create a hazard to the work party)
Include the permit number to identify that each Job HSE Plan is unique for the particular activity.
In addition a quality TRIC discussion shall be held.
6.2.3 Certificates Attached to This Permit
The Permit Applicant should attach the following certificates to the Permits if they are required:
Electrical Isolation/De-isolation
Mechanical Isolation1 (Appendix 3)
Mechanical Isolation Continuation (Appendix 3)
The Permit Applicant shall tick " " the appropriate column to show which Certificates are attached, and then write the number of each certificate in the ‘Certificate Number(s)’ section of the PTW.
If more than one Permit is to be worked on within the same isolation boundary, the isolation for each permit shall be recorded separately on its own Isolation Certificate. This will minimise the risk of an isolation being removed before all work is complete.
6.2.4 Gas Testing Requirements A Gas Test is required whenever:
1If more isolation points are required than are available, or if the isolation shall be left in place after the Permit has been cancelled, requires an Isolation Certificate to be raised.
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Hot Work is to be done in an area where hydrocarbons or other flammable gases/vapours may be present.
Vehicle Access is required to a Process Facility.
Diesel engine driven or non-intrinsically safe equipment is used
Entry is to be made into a Vessel or other Confined Space.
Work is at a place where toxic gases/vapours may be present.
When a Gas Test is required, the Permit Applicant shall:
Tick the gases to be tested for.
Indicate how often the test shall be repeated.
State if continuous monitoring for gas is required during the work.
Further guidance on gas testing can be found in Section 3.5.4 and PR-1154 Gas Testing Procedure.
6.2.5 Worksite Examinations
The Permit Applicant shall indicate when the Validator must do a Worksite Examination (i.e.
First day or every day.) The minimum requirements for Worksite Examinations are listed in Section 4.1.
6.2.6 Agreement of Other Affected Custodian
Where the Responsible Supervisor considers that the work will affect, or be affected by, another Custodian’s area, the Responsible Supervisor shall define the most appropriate way of obtaining the agreement of the ‘Other Affected Custodian’ (Permit Hand carried by Permit Applicant, fax, email, etc.).
The Other Affected Custodian shall check if there are any additional precautions needed for the work, as a result of work or hazards in his area. If necessary, he shall add to those specified on the Job HSE Plan. When he is satisfied that the Permit and Job HSE Plan will control the work safely, the Other Affected Custodian will sign, with name, time and date if the actual Permit is available to him. If not, written agreement by fax / email may be given. This shall then be attached to the Permit.
The most frequent example which requires a signature from an Other Affected Custodian is for work within 100m of a drilling rig, where the PDO Drilling Supervisor is the 'Other Affected Custodian'.
NOTE: No specific Training or Licensing in the PTW System is required for the Other Affected Custodian.