WORK PERMIT SYSTEM
Definition: = Meaning
An organized method which authorizes specific
activity such as Construction, Maintenance,
Inspection or Repair in areas identified by
management as restricted and which represent a
potential Hazard to company operations,
personnel or equipment
(HAZARD means Danger)
AIM OF THE WORK PERMIT SYSTEM
AUTHORIZATION: of Specific Work, in a Specific
Location, inside Restricted Areas
SAFETY: provide a Safe Work Location by identification and
elimination of Hazards and lists Minimum Precautions for
working Safely
COMMUNICATIONS: awareness
RECORD KEEPING: provides an official record of events
and agreements
ACCESS CONTROL: limits personnel in Hazardous Areas.
WORK PERMIT SYSTEM
BASIC TERMS
RESTRICTED AREAS:
1. Areas where hydrocarbons, flammable liquids, gases or
oxidizing agents, are handled, stored, piped / processed, in
significant quantities.
2. Within 200 feet of power lines.
3. Within 100 feet of pipelines.
4. Areas or activities which have been designated, by a
department Manager.
WORK PERMIT SYSTEM BASIC TERMS
1. DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE: (CHOSEN).
A competent employee, designated (chosen) by the issuer, who
is familiar with the requirements of the work permit system
and is able to perform associated work permit duties. HE DOES
NOT SIGN THE WORK PERMIT.
2. ISOLATION:
A process whereby the system or component, is removed from
service and is completely protected against the unplanned entry of
energy, whether it be chemical, mechanical, electrical or pneumatic
energy.
REQUIREMENTS OF ISSUING/RECEIVING
PERMITS
1. knowing the scope of work? knowing and
understanding the type(s) of permit(s) needed
2. specific hazard identification? location? joint site
inspection
SCOPE means RANGE OF WORK
SPECIFIC means (ACCURATE)
HOT WORK
Anything that creates flames, heat or other ignition sources
such as:
1. Hot tapping.
2. Welding and torch cutting.
3. Vehicle entry.
4. flash photography, abrasive grinding blasting, and
grinding.
FIRE TRIANGLE
COLD WORK
Work that does not create an ignition source - heat, flame or
spark
1. Brush painting?
2. hand tool work?
3. inspection?
4. scaffold erection
RELEASE PERMIT
Potential releases of hazardous gases & chemicals
such as:
1. Swinging blinds
2. Gas freeing equipment
3. Venting to atmosphere
4. Opening lines
5. Depressurizing high pressure air lines
CONFINED SPACE PERMIT
Entry of personnel into any space or structure not Normally
intended for human occupancy, in which Entry, Movement or Exit
is Restricted.
For example:
Tanks, Towers, Vessels, Excavations 4ft or Deeper, Sumps,
Sewers, Valve pits, Vessel skirts.
PEOPLE INVOLVED IN WORK PERMITS
Each craft must have a separate Permit
a. Certified issuer
1. Issues work permit only after:
2. Visiting the site together with the receiver
3. Performing gas test
4. Listing precautions and restrictions
PEOPLE INVOLVED IN WORK PERMITS
(CONT.)
CERTIFIED RECEIVER
I. R work permit from ops.
II. Issuer & receiver are responsible for:
III. Complying with conditions and requirements
IV. Keeping copy of permit in possession or within
view of the job site
V. Stopping work
VI. Closing a work permit with issuer
JOINT SITE INSPECTIONS
I. Discuss scope of work
II. Gas testing
III. Lockout/hold tags
IV. Safety equipment needed
V. Process hazards
VI. Isolation/depressurization
VII. Physical hazards
VIII. Radiation hazards
CLOSING A WORK PERMIT
I. Work permits shall be closed by receiver & issuer
except when:”
II. Distance or remoteness make signing impractical
III. Must be stated when permit is issued
PERMIT HAZARDS
I. Flammability/combustibility
II. Lower explosion limit (lel) – too lean
III. Upper explosion limit (uel) – too rich
IV. Flammable range – mixture will burn
LIMITS:
I. any reading above 0% lel- no hot work permitted.
II. 5% to 50% lel- scot air pak used for cold work only
III. above 50% lel – no entry permitted no work permitted
PERMIT HAZARDS (CONT.)
I. Hydrogen sulfide- toxicity
II. 10 ppm, can smell, permissible for 8 hours
only.
III. 100ppm, kills smell in 3-15 minutes
IV. 500ppm, unconscious in 15 minutes
V. 700ppm, breathing stops within moments
VI. 1000ppm, immediate unconsciousness and
death if not rescued and resuscitated
PERMIT HAZARDS (CONT.)
OXYGEN
I. 21% - is normal
II. L than 20%, requires div. head approval +
sap.
III. Above 23.5% extreme flammability hazard.
IV. Exposure to less than 16% causes rapid
unconsciousness.
DURATION OF WORK PERMITS & EXTENSIONS
I. Normal duration is for 8 –hours only.
II. Can be increased to 16 – hours if signed by issuer and
receiver coming on shift.
III. Up to 30 days for certain jobs with division head
approval.
GAS TEST LIMITS
H2S ) PPM) 0 - 10 OK TO WORK
11 – 100 SCOTT AIR PAK
> 100 SCOTT AIR PAK & SUPT. APPROVAL
OXYGEN (%) 20 – 23.5 OK TO WORK
<29 & > 23.5 SCOTT AIR PAK & SUPT. APPROVAL
FLAMMABLE
0.0 HOT WORK
GAS (% LEL)
0.5 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
5 – 50
COLD WORK WITH SCOTT AIR PAK
ISOLATION, LOCKOUT, & USE OF HOLD TAGS
I. Types of energy sources examples:
II. Electrical
III. Fluid
IV. Gaseous
V. Mechanical
VI. Chemical
ISOLATION, LOCKOUT, &USE OF HOLD TAGS
Means of isolation:when there is a potential energy, the
source shall be isolated
I. Blinds
II. Closing and locking of valves
III. Removal of piping
IV. Opening and locking circuit breakers
V. Disconnect power supplies
ISOLATION, LOCKOUT, & USE OF HOLD TAGS
Procedures
I. Specific isolation, lock, hold and tag procedures
II. Each department is responsible for implementing lockout
procedures and training
III. Operations and maintenance shall provide lockout
equipment
IV. Operations should be first on and last off lock
V. Lock, tag and try
ISOLATION, LOCKOUT, & USE OF HOLD TAGS
LOCKS
I. Each craftsman should have his own lock
II. One lock, one key
III. Tag must have name and phone number at minimum
IV. Forced removal requires two superintendents. &
documentation
EXCEPTION TO OBTAINING A WORK PERMITS
I. Emergency only
II. Still must do the job safely
III. Complete permits as soon as possible
