Work Permit System

Work Permit System

The objective of Work Permit System are to exercise
control over the maintenance acivities by assigning
responsibilities, ensuring communication between
interested functions and requiring that proper
consideration be given to the job, its hazards and the
precautions required.
 Work Permit System
It ensures that the work is properly define, authorised,
operating personnel are aware what is going on, precautions
to be taken are specified and the persons executing the job
understand the nature and extent of hazards involved.

Safe work practices should provide for safe conduct of

operating, maintenance and modification activities. Work
Permit System is an element of safe work practices.
 Work Permit System
For performing any work in the plant/facility by any person
other than the operating personnel of that area, a duly
authorised written permit should be obtained by the
person/agency executing the work before commencment of
the work.

Separate permit should be obtained for each activity. All jobs

should be undertaken only after obtaining work permit.
 Work Permit System
Permits should be in printed forms, serially numbered and different
colour code maybe adopted for different types of permits.

Permit issuing authority should satisfy himself that permit

conditions are met before issuing permit.

It is also to be ensured that permit conditions are maintained in

course of execution of the job.

After completion of the job, permits should be retuned to the

originating department, Records are to be maintained for a month.
 Work Permit System
Hot work and cold work permits are work permits that authorize
controlled work in nonstandard, potentially hazardous conditions.
They consist of specific instructions regarding the nature of the job,
time and place, and communicate information regarding safety
procedures.
Cold work permits are used in hazardous maintenance work that
does not involve “hot work”. Cold work permits are issued when
there is no reasonable source of ignition, and when all contact with
harmful substances has been eliminated or appropriate precautions
taken.
 Work Permit System
Hot Work Permits
Hot work permits are red-colored permits used to authorize work
that will generate heat or sparks, such as:
●
Welding
●
Drilling
●
Grinding
●
Riveting
●
Cutting
●
Use of internal combustion engines
 Confined Spaces
Definition by OSHA – according to 29 CFR 1910.146 – considers there to be two
types of confined space:
●
a confined space and
●
a permit-required confined space (PRCS).

OSHA has a three part definition:

●
The space must be “large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily
enter and performed assigned work” AND
●
The space must “have limited or restricted means for entry or exit” AND
●
The space must not be “designed for continuous employee occupancy”.
 Confined Spaces
Examples of confined space

1) Vessel, tanks, furnaces, underground pipe lines, pits and manholes, sewers and
drains etc.

2) Excavation more than 1.2 meter.

3) Entry on floating roof tank when roof is 3 meter down.

4) AC ducting and large diameter pipes.

 Confined Spaces
Entry into confined spaces without the proper precautions could
result in
●
injury and/or impairment, or death due to an atmosphere that is
flammable or explosive.
●
lack of oxygen to support life.
●
toxic materials that upon contact or inhalation could cause injury,
illness, or death.
●
general safety hazards such as steam, high pressure systems, or
other work area hazards.
 Confined Space Hazards
1) Oxygen deficiency (less than 19.5%).
2) Presence of toxic, corrosive or hazardous materials (H2S, Hydrocarbons, NH3,
Sulphur and coke dust).
3) Presence of flammable, combustible, explosive or phosphoric material (e.g.
sludge).
4) Restricted access – a Limited number of entry/exit points (e.g. single manway).
5) Restricted to freedom of movement inside confined space (e.g. Trays in towers
and pipes in excavations).
6) Falling/tripping hazards.
7) Poor illumination / visibility / communication.
8) High temperature and humidity.
9) Electrical, static or radioactive hazards.
10) Mechanical Hazards (e.g. tank mixers, falling objects such as tools, refractory).
 Entry into Confined Space
The worker who is required to enter and work in a confined space may be exposed
to a number of hazards. Therefore it is essential to develop and implement a
comprehensive, written confined-space-entry programme, for which the following
elements are recommended:

1) Identification of all confined spaces at the facility and/or operation.

2) Posting a warning sign at the entrance of all confined spaces.
3) Evaluation of hazards associated with each type of confined space.
4) A job safety analysis for each task to be performed in the confined space.
5) Confined-space-entry procedures.
6) Initial plan for entry.
7) Assigned standby person(s).
8) Communications between workers inside and standby.
 Rescue Procedures
Specified work procedures within the confined space include:
1) Evaluation to determine if entry is necessary—can the work be performed from the outside
of the confined space.
2) Issuance of a confined-space-entry permit—this is an authorisation and approval in writing
that specifies the location and type of work to be done, and certifies that the space has
been evaluated and tested by a qualified person and that all necessary protective measures
have been taken to ensure the safety of the worker.
3) Testing and monitoring the air quality in the confined space to ensure the:
(a) oxygen level is at least 19.5% by volume
(b) flammable range is less than 10% of the LFL (lower flammable limit)
(c) absence of all toxic air contaminants