Work Permit

Introduction

          A Legal Written Document (Permit-to-work) which gives permission to start the job from the “Issuer to receiver”. Work permits to be always available at the worksite.

     It is also a means of communication between Site Management, Plant Supervisors & Operators, those who carry out the hazardous work. 

Work Permit System

          “A work permit is a written record that authorizes special work to be carried out under controlled conditions so as to create a safe working practices / atmosphere near and around workplace”.

·       Work permit helps in coordinating with other department’s agencies for carrying out work without compromising safety. 

·       Work permits ensure that all the hazards have been considered and appropriate precautions are taken care of, and the work is carried out in correct sequence.

·       Work permit is an agreement between the user and the receiver that documents/ deals with:

• Conditions, 
• Preparations and 
• Precautions.

Requirement of Work Permit

    1. Non-Production work:     Maintenance, repair, inspection, testing, alteration, construction, dismantling, adaptation, modification, cleaning, etc.).

    2. Non-Routine activities:    Jobs where non routine activities are carried out like, painting, etc.

    3. Coordination is required: Jobs where two or more individuals or groups need to co-ordinate activities to complete the job safely.

    4. Transfer of work:   Jobs where there is a transfer of work and responsibilities from one group to another.

Type of Work Permit

1. Fire or Hot work permit.

2. Cold work permit.

3. Confined space permit.

4. Special permit.

• Working in hazardous condition.
• Working at height.
• Working with radioactive material.
• Handling dangerous chemical like “Acid”.

5. Excavation permit.

6. Electrical permit.

    1. Hot Work Permit: These are issued in situations where heat or sparks are generated like: 

•  Welding & Burning.
• Gas cutting.
• Grinding.
• Drilling.
• Chipping.
• Internal combustion engines.

    2. Cold Work Permit: These are issued in situations where hot work is not carried out but due to the hazardous involving works cold work permit is raised. Non routing activities which carried some hazard.

·       Excavation by hand tools

·       Scaffold erection and dismantling

·       Painting activity

·       Opening of process equipment

·       Inspection

    3. Confined Space Permit: Confined Spaces are those area where “entry and exit are restricted” and conditions are specific.

Checks to be carried out: 

•  Testing atmosphere in the confined space with respect to oxygen which should be between 19.5% – 23.5%.
• Testing for presence of any other flammable or oxygen displacing gases.
• Monitoring of atmosphere while work is continuously in progress.
• Proper ventilation and cooling of space before entry.
• Electrical, mechanical and process isolations done.
• To provide continuous purified air to the place where work is progress.
• Provision of safety harness and other fire protection and safety equipment to help during emergency.
• Entry attendant and stand by person.

Examples are follows:

– Tanner              – Ship hold                       – Drainage

– Pipeline            – Vessel/Tanning             – Wells

– Manholes         – Cellar / Sub cellar         – Vaults

    4. Special Permit

i. Working in Hazardous Condition/Dangerous Chemicals

If there is hazardous situation like spillage of acid / chemical or cleaning of that spillage or transfer or chemical from one container to another container a potential hazardous situation like toxic fumes generation, suffocation will be present, for which permit is required to avoid exposure and accidents and to ensure Chemical Safety.

ii. Working at Height

It is ensured that a safe working environment is provided to the person who are working at heights at more than 2 meters by providing secure handhold and foothold and required PPE like safety harness, helmet, etc.

iii. Working with Radioactive material

This permit is to identify the potential sources of exposures from radiation and ensure that safe working conditions for are met while radiation hazards are present are:

·       Working with radioactive isotopes in labs.

·       Working with device that generate radiation.

·       Working in radioactive materials contamination zone.

    5.    Excavation Permit

This permit ensure the hazards in excavation like pipe breaking, breaking of telephone and electrical cables are avoided and safety precaution taken before carrying out the excavation work.

    6.    Electrical Permit

An electrical permit is required for work on electrical system where there is a possibility of contacting energized sources, and where permit helps to isolate all electrical sources and use the proper PPE before working on any electrical equipment.

PERMIT ISSUER / AUTHORIZER

          One who issues the permit and the one who is completely familiar with the work or situation covered by the permit (who is aware of the hazards and control). The person authorizing the work should ensure, all potential hazards and necessary precautions have been identified and implemented respectively.

The main role of Permit Issuer/Authorizer

1. Inspecting the work area.
2. Anticipating and identifying hazards.
3. Defining safety precautions for work.
4. Following the principles of safe working practices.
5. Discussing requirements with the person accepting the permit.
6. Issuing the work permit.
7. Implementing the hand back procedure.

PERMIT RECEIVER / ACCPETOR

          One who receives the permit, the person who is carrying out that particular work (who is exposed to hazards and who should take necessary controls). The person carrying out the work acknowledges that the nature of work and precautions to be observed are understood and accepted.

Responsibilities of Permit Receiver / Acceptor

1. Ensuring that the nature of the work, the work procedure and the potential hazards are understood.

2. Complying with the safety precautions and constraints as specified on the work permit.

3. Ensuring that the equipment is brought to a state of operational readiness and that the hand back procedures are observed.

WORK PERMIT CHECK LIST 

(i) Date, time period of validity (if more than 8 hours) location of work.

(ii) Department carrying the work.

(iii) Description of work to be carried out.

(iv) Presence of any flammable or dangerous substances near the work.

(v) Inspection of work area and remove any dangerous substance.

(vi) Need for fire protection – providing fire safety.

(vii) Need for equipment isolation – mechanical and electrical hazards.

(viii) Need for heat & ventilation – air, steam, etc.

(ix) Need for testing – O₂, flammable
atmosphere, radiation hazards.

(x) Need for PPE.

(xi) Need for emergency procedure.

(xii) Need for special precautions, if required.

(xiii) Need for general instructions.

(xiv) Permit issue signature, permit receiver signature and other required personnel signature before and after completion of work.