your brains
4. permit to work System
In the Netherlands a few years later also a simulair action was introduced as the permit to work system designed by
“europoort Botlek Belangen eBB” now called Deltalinqs. this sytem was already in use onshore and now taken over by the Offhore operators in the Dutch sector of the North Sea. A permit to work is compulsary for potential dangerous work. Also for non daily routine work a permit to work is required. A permit to work system is sub devided in the following steps:
4. permit to work System.
Permit to Work PtW.
ST EP : R AISInG THE PER MI T.
RAISInG THE PERMIT (STEP OnE):
A permit to work must be obtained prior to starting the work, it is required that permits are issued for:
hot work (welding, grinding, cutting etc.) Cold work (maintenance on pumps) Electrical work (installation/maintenance) Work over-the-side (scaffolding/ painting over the side)
Entering confined spaces
working with dangerous substances (chemicals) pressure testing
Diving operations
maintenance on safety systems working at high levels > 2.0 mtr.
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Electrical work.
ISSUInG AUTHORITy:
Normally the permit must be applied for 24 hours before the work will start. In some cases such as entering an enclosed space it may even be 48 hours before the work will start. Nowadays contractors in the Netherlands can enter a web based site to make a request for a permit to work. the advantage of such a system is that before departure too the platform the necessary measures and precautions are taken to start the work on arrival at the platform.
AREA AUTHORITy:
the person responsible for a certain area will visit the work site with you and will help with assessing the hazards of the job. this is also called a “task Risk Analyse tRA”.
ISSUInG AUTHORITy:
After the area authority identifies the hazards of the job the issuing authority will fill in the described work and location, the precautions to be taken and take the permit to the authorising authority (normally the Offshore In-stallation manager OIm). or the appointed operator.
ST EP 2: STARTInG THE JOB.
the performing authority (person carrying out the work) will visit the work site to take the precautions such as described on the permit. For example gas testing, isolating or safeguarding. then he will retrieve the activated permit signed by the issuing authority and the authorising authority and distribute copies as required. the per-forming authority will brief the team and a copy of the permit is displayed at the work-site.
ST EP 3: DU R InG THE JOB.
Site visits will take place by the auditing authority (normally the safety officer) and he will audit if the work per-mit is used and understood. he will also visit the workplace as the responsible person for that area.
PERMIT vALIDITy AnD ExTEnSIOnS:
A permit is normally valid for 12 hours (shift period). the issuing authority can extend the permit. he will review the work and will verify if there is no conflict with other work or another permit written out. The is-suing authority will sign for every extension. the maximum extension is normally a further 12 hours shift.
Control room.
PREMATURE cAncELLATIOn:
If an alarm sounds or for operational reasons a per-mit can be cancelled or suspended. After an alarm the performing authority will make the work site safe and obtain information or respond to the alarm.
Normally followed by an announcement from the OIm on the public Address (pA) system. After the issuing authority will give permission if work can be continued.
Alarm signal and Public Adres System.
Restricted work area.
ST EP 4: cOMPLETInG THE JOB.
the performing authority will complete the work properly and clear the work site from tools, equipment and materials to assure that the work site is left clean and tidy and that the plant is again in a safe condition. this we call good housekeeping. Also if the work is not completed within the time described on the permit, the work must stop and the permit returned to the resposible person. At that moment the responsible person will see if the permit can be extended or not.
the performing authority will inform the area authority that work is completed and ready for re-instatement. the permit will be signed off and returned to the issuing authority. After testing the issuing authority will sign the permit for completion, then the isolations and precautions are removed and the permit is cancelled.
the implementation of personal Responsibility for Safety (pRfS) must be tackled in a structured way. If we want personnel the implementation of personal Responsibility for Safety (pRfS) must be tackled in a structured way.
If we want personnel to consistently exhibit the “right” behaviours we must provide a support structure which ensures the right level of support and encouragement. A change in behaviour requires consistent reinforcement and practice and it is all too easy to inadvertently stop this evolution through inconsistent management action, loss of focus or the sending of mixed messages. this guidance is made up of the following 9 elements:
1. Clear expectations 2. effective Communication 3. personal Leadership 4. personal Risk Awareness 5. planning
6. the Right and Duty to Intervene 7. Accountability
8. Self evaluation
9. Develop, encourage and Sustain Safe Behaviours