Safe Work Permits PDF

Unit A-4 o Introduction to Plant and Fire Safety == OBJECTIVE 3 Discuss safe work permits. ( SAFE WORK PERMITS Note: Specialized internal training is required for both safe work permit receivers and issuers. Please consult site-specific training requirements. Safe work permits (SWPs) are d...

Unit A-4 o Introduction to Plant and Fire Safety == OBJECTIVE 3 Discuss safe work permits. ( SAFE WORK PERMITS Note: Specialized internal training is required for both safe work permit receivers and issuers. Please consult site-specific training requirements. Safe work permits (SWPs) are designed to ensure potentially hazardous work can be carried out safely. A safe work permit is a written agreement between the worker performing the task and the person issuing the permit. No SWP is issued before dissipating and locking out all energy related to the scope of work. The SWP attempts to identify any risk associated with a job, and specifies the control measures needed to mitigate the hazards. These control measures may include: a) Lockout requirements b) Atmospheric testing c) PPE requirements d) Safety watch e) Means of summoning help f) Additional permits required • Confined space • Hotwork • Excavation (ground disturbance) ( The workers performing the job, and the company representative authorized to issue the permit, review the SWP. The authorized permit issuer is often a Shift Engineer or Assistant Shift Engineer. After reviewing the permit and agreeing to its terms, the permit issuer, the permit holder, and the workers doing the job sign and date the SWP. The signed SWP is then a legal agreement on the safety steps that will be used on the job. The permit, or associated permits, are issued for a job of a certain scope, and for a particular duration. If the scope of the job changes, or if the work lasts longer than the duration stated on the permit, a new SWP must be issued. The type of safe work permit required depends on the scope of the work and the potential hazards of the job. This includes hazards present while preparing to do the work. With this in mind, a single SWP does not address all possible work situations. Often, the permits listed below are specific amendments to a more general SWP form. Following are some of the common types of safe work permits used in industry with a brief description of each of the common types. 1. Cold Work Permit a) 2. For general maintenance work that does not produce an ignition source. Hot Work Permit a) Work produces a direct ignition source such as welding, metal grinding, the use of cutting torches, and electric drills. b) Work produces an indirect ignition source. This could involve flashes from a camera, mobile phone, laser pointers, and other electronic devices that are not intrinsically safe. 2-10 €-------------------------- s 4th Class Edition 3 o Part A ( Plant Safety Programs • Chapter 2 3. Confined Space Entry Permit a) Work requires personnel to enter a confined area such as a vessel, tank, silo, sump, or sewer. 4. Excavation (Ground Disturbance) a) Any activity disturbing the ground. Can include digging, trenching, post pounding, tunneling, and drilling at or exceeding 30 em in depth. Issuing a Permit The permit issuer's responsibilities are: 1. Inspect the work area. 2. Identify potential hazards. 3. Detail the safety precautions required. 4. Understand and apply safe work practices. 5. Set worldng conditions within the scope of work. 6. Review work and safety precaution requirements with the permit receiver (person or persons doing the work). 7. Detail completion expectations and requirements with permit receiver. 8. Issue the permit. 9. Stop workers if safe work procedures are not being followed. 10. Inspect area after work is completed before signing off. Receiving a Permit The permit receiver's responsibilities are: 1. Understand the scope of work and job requirements. 2. Understand potential hazards and safety precautions. 3. Sign and accept the permit, and keep permit on the jobsite. 4. Work safely by following site and job specific safe work procedures. 5. Complete work as per agreed job expectations and requirements. 6. Return work permit after completion of work to permit issuer/safety office. Contents of a Safe Work Permit Listed below is some of the information contained in a general safe work permit. Note: This is a general guideline only. Various jurisdictions and worksites may have specific requirements not listed here. 1. Date and time the permit is issued, and when it expires. 2. Specific location of the work. (Building, level, process area, some description of the area.) 3. Description of the work (the scope). 4. Number of workers involved, including the name of any external company or internal department. 5. Communication method (e.g. two-way radio). 6. Potential hazards. 4th Class Edition 3 • Part A 2-11 Unit A-4 • Introduction to Plant and Fire Safety == 7. Personal protective equipment requirements. 8. Job site preparation check list. 9. Safety precautions. ( 10. Atmospheric Testing (for Hot Work Permit). 11. Authorization and signatures for Permit Completion. Figures 1 and 2 are samples of the front and back of a General Safe Work Permit sheet. ( 2-12 s//--------------------------4-th-Class-E-d-ition-3-•-P-art A-----------------------