PERMIT TO WORK

The permit to work procedure is a specialized type of safe system of work for ensuring
that potentially very dangerous work (e.g. entry into process plant and other confined
spaces) is done safely.

Permit to work procedures

The permit to work procedure is a specialized type of safe system of work under which
certain categories of high risk-potential work may only be done with the specific
permission of an authorized manager. This permission (in the form of the permit to work)
will only be given if the laid-down precautions are in force and have been checked.

The permit document will typically specify:

➤ what work is to be done
➤ the plant/equipment involved, and how they are identified
➤ who is authorized to do the work
➤ the steps which have already been taken to make the plant safe
➤ potential hazards which remain, or which may arise as the work proceeds
➤ the precautions to be taken against these hazards
➤ for how long the permit is valid
➤ that the equipment is released to those who are to carry out the work.

Principles
Permit systems must adhere to the following eight principles:
1. wherever possible, and especially with routine jobs, hazards should be eliminated so
that the work can be done safely without requiring a permit to work
2. although the Site Manager may delegate the responsibility for the operation of the
permit system, the overall responsibility for ensuring safe operation rests with him/her
3. the permit must be recognized as the master instruction which, until it is cancelled,
overrides all other instructions
4. the permit applies to everyone on site, including contractors
5. information given in a permit must be detailed and accurate. It must state:
(a) which plant/equipment has been made safe and the steps by which this has
been achieved
(b) what work may be done
(c) the time at which the permit comes into effect
6. the permit remains in force until the work has been completed and the permit is
cancelled by the person who issued it, or by the person nominated by management to
take over the responsibility (e.g. at the end of a shift or during absence)
7. no work other than that specified is authorized. If it is found that the planned work has
to be changed, the existing permit should be cancelled and a new one issued
8. responsibility for the plant must be clearly defined at all stages.

Work requiring a permit

The main types of permit and the work to be covered by each are identified below.
Appendix 6.3 illustrates the essential elements of a permit form with supporting notes on
its operation.
1. General permit
The general permit should be used for work such as:
➤ work on or near overhead crane tracks
➤ work on pipelines with hazardous contents
➤ repairs to railway tracks, tippers, conveyors
➤ work involving ionising radiation
➤ roof work

2. Confined space permit

Confined spaces include chambers, tanks (sealed and open-top), vessels, furnaces, ducts,
sewers, manholes, pits, flues, excavations, boilers, reactors and ovens. Many fatal
accidents have occurred where inadequate precautions were taken before and during
work involving entry into confined spaces. The two main hazards are the potential
presence of toxic or other dangerous substances and the absence of adequate oxygen.

3. Work on high voltage apparatus (including testing)

Work on high voltage apparatus (over about 600 volts) is potentially high risk. Hazards
include:
➤ possibly fatal electric shock/burns to the people doing the work
➤ electrical fires/explosions
➤ consequential danger from disruption of power supply to safety-critical plant and
equipment.

In view of the risk, this work must only be done by suitably trained and competent people
acting under the terms of a high voltage permit.
 4. Hot work
Hot work is potentially hazardous as:
➤ a source of ignition in any plant in which flammable materials are handled
➤ a cause of fi res in all processes, regardless of whether flammable materials are
present.

Hot work includes cutting, welding, brazing, soldering and any process involving the
application of a naked flame. Drilling and grinding should also be included where a
flammable atmosphere is potentially present. Hot work should therefore be done under
the terms of a hot work permit, the only exception being where hot work is done in a
designated maintenance area suitable for the purpose.