HSE guidelines SWORK PERMITS

April 2017

WORK PERMITS

Work safely or don’t work at all

There are strict procedures when working on installations and systems. After all, there’s a risk for hazardous substances to be released. Therefore read the Permit to Work carefully and check if the described control measures have been taken. Then take the precautionary measures which belong to your job.

Always be alert to prevent hazardous substances from being released. When in doubt: always ask or stop working!

Speaking the same clear language regarding Health, Safety and Environment,and harmonisation of regulations by focusing primarily on agreements between companies and contractors.

That is the goal the member parties of HSElife NL pursue.

As well as the information that has already been harmonised, location and company-specific information also applies. Ask for it!

WORK PERMITS

WHY ARE WORK PERMITS USED?

• to record agreed arrangements• to recognize hazards and risks• to lay down precautionary measures• to promote good communication between the various parties

WORK PERMITS

WORK PERMITS

PURPOSE OF WORK PERMITS?

• to ensure the work is done safely• to avert incidents

WORK PERMITS

WHO ARE INVOLVEDIN A WORK PERMIT?

Applicant - usually the contractor’s work planner

Issuer - usually people from the Operations department

Validator - usually people from the Operations department

Holder - the person who carries out the work

WORK PERMITS

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Applicant SOS-SCC certificate(in Dutch a VOL-VCA certificate) validity 10 yearsWork permit training validity 2 years

Issuer / ValidatorSOS-SCC certificate(in Dutch a VOL-VCA certificate) validity 10 yearsWork permit training validity 2 years

Holder VCA – basic validity 10 yearsWork permit training validity 2 years

WORK PERMITS

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

At least two people (roles) must be involved with the work permit.

An issuer can also be a validator, an applicant can also be a holder. The issuer may only take on the role of applicant in exceptional cases.

WORK PERMITS

WHEN IS AWORK PERMIT REQUIRED?

Applicable to all activities carried out on plants, for instance:

• non-operations work; e.g. - maintenance and repairs of company plants

• high risk work; e.g.- working at heights- hoisting work on parts of the plant that are in operation/under pressure- demolition work- work where fire or sparks are released- work for which additional personal protection equipment is required, incl. compressed air

WORK PERMITS

WHEN IS AWORK PERMIT REQUIRED?

• joint work by various disciplines; e.g.- conflicting tasks that could mutually affect each other - (too) many tasks are carried out simultaneously in a small area

WORK PERMITS

SUPPLEMENTARY WORK PERMITS

For (high) risk work, a supplementary work permit may have to be appended to the work permit:

• working in confined spaces• excavation work• diving operations

If an activity and the associated risks cannot be clearly surveyed and properly managed, it’s required to carry out a Task Risk Analysis in addition to the work permit.

WORK PERMITS

HOW LONG DOESA WORK PERMIT REMAIN VALID?

A work permit can be valid for a maximum of 7 successive working days.

N.B.: the supplementary work permit for Excavation work can be valid for a maximum of 12 weeks. On the top of the supplementary work permit the corresponding work permit number of that week can be entered 12 times (that’s because excavation work often takes longer).

WORK PERMITS

PARTS OF THE WORK PERMIT

Block 1Work application Filled in by:applicant

Block 2Precautions to be taken by issuing departmentFilled in by:issuer

Block 3Precautions tobe taken by holderFilled in by:applicant

Block 4ConfirmationTo be signed by: applicant, issuer, holder, and validator

WORK PERMITS

APPLICANT – TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• provide an accurate and clear description of the activities• indicate the appropriate precautions to be taken in order to work safely, if necessary in consultation with the holder• determine the risk category and, if necessary, to ensure that a Task Risk Analysis is carried out, jointly with the issuer

WORK PERMITS

ISSUER - TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• determine the precautionary measures his department must take to create a safe working environment• assess the proposed precautions to be taken by the holder• provide product information (MSDS / WIK / chemistry cards), if necessary• discuss the work permit• determine additional requirements, if necessary• determine whether gas measurements are necessary

WORK PERMITS

HOLDER – TASKS ANDRESPONSIBILITIES

• carry out the work or provide direct supervision at the workplace• study the work permit and assent to the required precautions• discuss the work permit with those who carry out the work• take the appropriate precautions and to ensue they are adhered to• supervise proper execution of the work and to be physically present at the worksite• stop the work in the event of any abnormality (alarm, doubt, incident) and contact the site supervisor and his own immediate superior• sign off the work

WORK PERMITS

HOLDER – TASKS ANDRESPONSIBILITIES

It is of crucial importance for the holder of the permit to understand how the work must be done safely. So be critical to the issuer and validator of the permit. After all everyone’s safety is at stake.

WORK PERMITS

VALIDATOR – TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• check whether all prescribed precautions have been taken• daily validation of the permit, provided the circumstances remain unchanged• initial permit release must always take place at the worksite• give the green light to start the work• supervise observance of the permit’s requirements and conditions

WORK PERMITS

FILLING IN THE WORK PERMIT

• write clearly and legibly for everyone• use as few abbreviations and acronyms as possible• any (unauthorised) changes made later will invalidate the permit• the white form is intended for the holder, who must carry it with him unless agreed otherwise• the yellow form is intended for the issuer• important information is on the back of the work permit

WORK PERMITS

QUESTIONS? MORE INFORMATION?

You can always approach the site manager/supervisor

Take the correct safety precautions and check them regularly

Discuss the risks of the job and its safety precautions beforehand, with all involved (toolbox meeting)

Conduct a last-minute risk analysis (LMRA) of the workplace immediately before starting the job and after the situation changes in any way

Stop work immediately if anything unexpected happens (such as an incident or an alarm sounding) or if you are in any doubt, and contact the site manager or supervisor

Tidy up the workplace regularly and sign off the job at the end of the day

5 TO REMEMBER1

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IMPORTANT! To be sure that everything is safe, ask the site manager or supervisor to explain the safety precautions in place

WORK PERMITS

QUESTION

1. Why do we use work permits?

A) We use work permits to record the agreed working arrangements and to recognize hazards and risks. In addition we use a work permit to record precautionary measures. Finally we use a work permit to promote good communication between the various parties.

B) We use work permits to record the agreed working arrangements and to recognize hazards and risks. In addition we use a work permit to gain insight in the qualities of offshore and onshore employees and to optimize work processes. Finally we use a work permit to promote good communication between the various parties.

C) We use work permits to record the agreed working arrangements and to recognize hazards and risks. In addition a work permit allows you to perform hazardous work. Finally we use a work permit to promote good communication between the various parties.

WORK PERMITS

ANSWER

1. Why do we use work permits?

A) We use work permits to record the agreed working arrangements and to recognize hazards and risks. In addition we use a work permit to record precautionary measures. Finally we use a work permit to promote good communication between the various parties.

B) We use work permits to record the agreed working arrangements and to recognize hazards and risks. In addition we use a work permit to gain insight in the qualities of offshore and onshore employees and to optimize work processes. Finally we use a work permit to promote good communication between the various parties.

C) We use work permits to record the agreed working arrangements and to recognize hazards and risks. In addition a work permit allows you to perform hazardous work. Finally we use a work permit to promote good communication between the various parties.

WORK PERMITS

QUESTION

2. Who are involved in making a work permit?

A) The applicant, issuer, validator, holder and people from pre- construction.

B) The applicant, issuer and people who are involved in the planning of activities.

C) The applicant, issuer, validator and holder.

WORK PERMITS

ANSWER

2. Who are involved in making a work permit?

A) The applicant, issuer, validator, holder and people from pre- construction.

B) The applicant, issuer and people who are involved in the planning of activities.

C) The applicant, issuer, validator and holder.

WORK PERMITS

QUESTION

3. For which activities do you need a supplementary work permit?

A) For (high) risk work, a supplementary work permit may have to be appended to the work permit. For example working in confined spaces, but also for electrically isolating a control cabinet.

B) For (high) risk work, a supplementary work permit may have to be appended to the work permit. For example working in confined spaces, but also for excavation work and diving operations.

C) For (high) risk work, a supplementary work permit may have to be appended to the work permit. For example working in confined spaces, but also for electrically isolating a control cabinet and for welding.

WORK PERMITS

ANSWER

3. For which activities do you need a supplementary work permit?

A) For (high) risk work, a supplementary work permit may have to be appended to the work permit. For example working in confined spaces, but also for electrically isolating a control cabinet.

B) For (high) risk work, a supplementary work permit may have to be appended to the work permit. For example working in confined spaces, but also for excavation work and diving operations.

C) For (high) risk work, a supplementary work permit may have to be appended to the work permit. For example working in confined spaces, but also for electrically isolating a control cabinet and for welding.

WORK PERMITS

QUESTION

4. When are you required to carry out a Task Risk Analysis?

A) You are required to carry out a Task Risk Analysis if an activity and the associated risks cannot be clearly surveyed and properly managed, in addition to the work permit.

B) You are required to carry out a Task Risk Analysis for non-operations work, for example maintenance and repairs of company plants, or activities for which extra personal protection equipment is required. The Task Risk Analysis complements the work permit.

C) You are required to carry out a Task Risk Analysis in order to determine the risk category of the activities. The Task Risk Analysis complements the work permit.

WORK PERMITS

ANSWER

4. When are you required to carry out a Task Risk Analysis?

A) You are required to carry out a Task Risk Analysis if an activity and the associated risks cannot be clearly surveyed and properly managed, in addition to the work permit.

B) You are required to carry out a Task Risk Analysis for non-operations work, for example maintenance and repairs of company plants, or activities for which extra personal protection equipment is required. The Task Risk Analysis complements the work permit.

C) You are required to carry out a Task Risk Analysis in order to determine the risk category of the activities. The Task Risk Analysis complements the work permit.

WORK PERMITS

QUESTION

5. What role does the applicant of a work permit have?

A) He provides an accurate and clear description of the activities. Beside he indicates the appropriate precautions to be taken in order to work safely, if necessary in consultation with the holder. Finally he determines the risk category and, if necessary, he ensures that a Task Risk Analysis is carried out, jointly with the issuer.

B) He provides an accurate and clear description of the activities. Beside he determines the precautionary measures his department must take to create a safe working environment. Finally he determines the risk category and, if necessary, he ensures that a Task Risk Analysis is carried out, jointly with the issuer.

C) He provides an accurate and clear description of the activities. He determines the precautionary measures his department must take to create a safe working environment. Furthermore he discusses the work permit with those who carry out the work. Finally he determines the risk category and, if necessary, he ensures that a Task Risk Analysis is carried out, jointly with the issuer.

WORK PERMITS

ANSWER

5. What role does the applicant of a work permit have?

A) He provides an accurate and clear description of the activities. Beside he indicates the appropriate precautions to be taken in order to work safely, if necessary in consultation with the holder. Finally he determines the risk category and, if necessary, he ensures that a Task Risk Analysis is carried out, jointly with the issuer.

B) He provides an accurate and clear description of the activities. Beside he determines the precautionary measures his department must take to create a safe working environment. Finally he determines the risk category and, if necessary, he ensures that a Task Risk Analysis is carried out, jointly with the issuer.

C) He provides an accurate and clear description of the activities. He determines the precautionary measures his department must take to create a safe working environment. Furthermore he discusses the work permit with those who carry out the work. Finally he determines the risk category and, if necessary, he ensures that a Task Risk Analysis is carried out, jointly with the issuer.