During Construction Activities, the Permit to Work System will be managed by the Principal Contractor.

PURPOSE

 

Describes the requirements for permit-to-work systems including the authorization, responsibility for specifying precautions, training in the issue and use of permits, monitoring and auditing to ensure that the system works as intended.

 

2.0       SCOPE

 

Applies to Project work scope where work identified as potentially hazardous to people or the environment is to be carried out.  Permit-to-work systems shall apply to all personnel including employees, contractors and subcontractors.

 

3.0       REFERENCES

 

WIN-HSM-015 Training

WIN-HSM-016 Competency Management Policy

BOT-PRO-QAC-009 Quality Records

WIN-HSM-028 Internal HS&E Management Audit

BOT-PRO-QAC-007 Control of Non Conformance

BOT-PRO-QAC-008 Corrective and Preventive Action

 

4.0       DEFINITIONS

 

Auditing:  Examining how the whole system has been used over a period to make sure that it

has operated as intended and provide input for improvement.

 

Hand-back:  An instruction for handing back the part of the plant affected by the instruction when the work is complete, in a safe condition and the plant is ready for reinstatement.

 

Hand-over:  An instruction for handing over a valid permit if work covered by the permit is continuing longer than one shift.

 

Isolation Certificate: A certificate, used in association with a permit, for providing confirmation that particular equipment is mechanically or electrically isolated before it is worked on.

 

Monitoring:  Routinely checking how the system is being used on the job.

 

Safe Area:  An area whose boundaries are well defined in which specific simultaneous work may be conducted with a single work permit for the purposes of construction.

 

Responsible Person:  The individual issuing any permit for the area or system in which the work will take place.  This person may also be referred to as the Issuing Authority, Area Authority or Designated Authority.

 

Permit-to-work: A formal written system used to control certain types of work, which are identified as potentially hazardous. Also a means of communication between site/installation management, plant supervisors and operators and those who carry out the hazardous work.

 

Used for planning potentially hazardous work and to avoid interactions, which may be hazardous.  The terms `permit-to-work’, `permit’ or `work permit’ ‘restricted work certificate’ refer to the form which is used as part of an overall system of work and which has been devised by the project to meet the specific needs and the requirements of this instruction.

 

Person in Charge of Work: The individual with direct responsibility for ensuring that the precautions stipulated on a permit are enforced, this person may also be referred to as the Performing Authority, Nominated Competent Person or Task Supervisor.

 

PTW:  Permit-to-work.

Reviewing:  Reviewing the fundamental design of the system to assess whether it requires changes.

 

5.0       INSTRUCTION

5.1       General

 

5.1.1    The permit is a LEGAL written document which authorizes specific people to carry out work, at a certain time, and which sets out the special precautions needed to complete the work safely.

 

5.1.2    Permits-to-work shall be used:

 

• where they are needed for control of potential hazardous activities and where required by legislation

 

• whenever the methods by which particular work is done may be critical to the safety of those directly involved, other nearby workers, the public or the activity itself or to the environment

 

• when two or more individuals or groups of people, from the same or different trades, areas, or different contractors, need to co-ordinate their activities to ensure that their work is completed safely.

 

5.1.3    Permit-to-work systems shall be applied to non-production work such as construction, maintenance and repair, inspection, testing, alteration, reconstruction, dismantling, adaptation, modification and cleaning.  Permit-to-work may also be applied to hazardous commissioning and production work.

 

5.1.4    Activities controlled under permit-to-work systems include:

 

• hot work of any type where heat is used or generated or which may generate sources of ignition

• work which may cause an uncontrolled gas / fuel release, including any disconnection or opening of any pipeline, vessel or equipment containing, or which has contained, flammable or toxic materials

 

• electrical work

 

• entry into confined spaces and work inside them

 

• work at any place on an installation from which any person may be liable to fall into the sea

 

• work involving the use of dangerous substances, including radioactive materials and explosives

 

• diving activities

 

• pressure testing

 

• maintenance operations which may compromise critical safety systems e.g. fire and gas detection systems, public address systems, life saving equipment and fire-fighting equipment.

 

• work at a location where persons may be liable to fall from a height of 2 meters

 

• work requiring access to hazardous areas (as classified for electrical equipment)

 

5.1.5    For some of these activities, supplementary precautions in addition to a permit-to-work system shall be required.  Permit types are described in section 7.2 of this document.

 

5.1.6    All personnel starting work at a new location, particularly contractors, shall ensure that they are familiar with instructions specifying when permit-to-work systems are required at that particular location and how the instructions work.

 

5.2       Responsibilities

Developing Permit-to-Work Instructions

 

5.2.1    A permit-to-work system shall be developed implemented and maintained to ensure `Control’ of potentially hazardous operations and that proper consideration is given to the risks of particular work.

 

5.2.2    The Principal Contractor / BOTAŞ BTC P/L Project Directorate shall have overall responsibility for ensuring proper permit-to-work instructions are developed and followed.  The Principal Contractor / BOTAŞ BTC P/L Project Directorate shall nominate a senior manager responsible for ensuring:

 

• that a permit-to-work system is implemented for the onshore site as required, consistent with this Management Policy

 

• that the systems and instructions satisfy, as a minimum, all the legal requirements relating to the site or installation and to the work, work area and location

 

• the permit-to-work system clearly specifies who may issue permits and how permits are to be obtained for specific work. The issue of a permit by a person to themselves is  prohibited

 

• properly documented isolation instructions are developed and implemented

 

• that instructions are established and maintained for all work done under the permit-to-work system

 

• that arrangements are made for the workforce to be made aware of the permit-to-work instruction and the systems, and are trained in their operation. These arrangements shall cover the whole workforce, including contractors and sub-contractors.

 

5.2.3    The permit-to-work systems shall be developed in consultation with employees, contractors, Safety Representatives and Safety Committees.

5.3       Training and Instruction

 

5.3.1    All personnel involved in using the permit-to-work system, the approval and issue of permits shall be fully trained in all aspects of permit instructions including the issue and use of permits.  This training and instruction shall conform to the Project’s training requirements.

 

5.3.2    Training shall include coverage of legal requirements, official guidance material (e.g. HSE Guidance), company and industry guidance, requirements and instructions (including form types, restrictions and validities), and all aspects of each individual’s specific role and responsibilities.  Training courses shall be concluded with a formal, written test.

 

5.3.3    Formal records of all training shall be maintained.  Refresher training shall be conducted at a maximum of two-year intervals.  Written confirmation shall be provided for individuals who successfully undergo training.

 

5.4       Responsibilities Under Permit-to-Work

 

5.4.1    The Principal Contractor – Project Manager shall ensure that all personnel engaged in the preparation of permits, and responsible for the supervision and performance of the work, are identified.

 

5.4.2    Prior to being given responsibilities under the permit-to-work system, formal assessment of competence of personnel is required.  A record of competence assessment shall be maintained.

 

5.4.3    All personnel who have special responsibilities under the permit-to-work system (e.g. issuing and isolating authorities) including personnel responsible for carrying out isolations shall be formally authorized to undertake the duties required of them.  These people shall be provided with sufficient time to carry out these duties properly.

 

5.4.4    The nominated responsible person is, the person issuing the permit to the supervisor in charge of the work.  The nominated responsible person shall know what is being done, especially at critical points such as hand-over or suspension.

5.4.5    Appointment by site management, of a nominated responsible person shall be based on:

 

• relevant work experience and seniority

 

• familiarization with the plant

 

• training and validation

 

• any other appropriate factors

 

5.4.6       The senior management of contracting companies working on behalf of the Principal Contractor or Project Management Team shall:

 

• ensure that they are told of and understand the permit-to-work systems and other arrangements that apply to the project

 

• ensure that all supervisors and employees and subcontractors are made aware of, and understand the permit-to-work systems and instructions and any other specific arrangements made for the work, area or location in which they are to work

 

• ensure that all supervisors and employees understand why these systems and instructions exist and the need for them to be followed.

 

5.4.7 The Principal Contractor’s nominated responsible Person shall co-ordinate and control the issue and return of permits.  He shall be in a position to have an overview of all operations in-progress or planned on the installation or site in order to avoid risks caused by simultaneous activities which may have hazardous interactions.

 

5.4.8       Supervisory staff, whether employed by the Principal Contractor, operators, or contractors, shall ensure that:

 

• they, and the workforce under their control, do not start any work requiring permit until it has been authorized and issued

• no work is started until the supervisor is satisfied that the person carrying out the work fully understands their responsibilities under the permit-to-work system

 

• the conditions and precautions specified in the permits issued to them or employees under their control are fully understood and followed at all times

 

• they understand the operation of and the consequences of non-compliance with the permit-to-work systems and instructions applicable to the areas in which they are responsible for work.

 

5.4.9    All personnel who carry out work of any kind on the site, including contractors and subcontractors are responsible for:

 

• ensuring that they do not start on any work requiring a permit until one has been authorized and issued

 

• having a good general understanding of the permit-to-work systems and instructions that are operated in any location at which they may have to work

 

• having a detailed working knowledge of any permit-to-work system and instruction that applies to their own work.

 

5.5       Monitoring

 

5.5.1    The Principal Contractor shall ensure that:

 

• the instructions and systems used are monitored to ensure that they are effective and correctly applied and system works as intended

 

• a system of spot checks is used to ensure that the permits are being followed.

 

5.6       Audit

 

5.6.1    The Principal Contractor shall ensure that the instructions and systems are audited as required, but in any case at least every 6 months (WIN-HSM-028).  The HS&E function shall schedule the audits and ensure they are conducted.

 

5.7       Review

 

5.7.1    Permit-to-work instructions and systems shall be reviewed regularly, at a minimum every 12 months, to assess their effectiveness and amended and updated as necessary.  This review shall normally be covered during Management Review of the Management System.