HSE-P-07 Work Permit Procedure Issue 2.1
HSE-P-07 Work Permit Procedure Issue 2.1
HSE-P-07 Work Permit Procedure Issue 2.1
3.0 Responsibilities
The Permit applicant is responsible for initiating the permit to carry out the work.
He is also responsible for discussing manning, location, equipment access, tools,
conditions, risks and controls of the work with the Area Authority and other
requested staff the day before starting the work.
Only persons defined as competent by the Field Manager can act as Area
Authority.
The Area Authority carries out the risk assessment for the work and indicates the
hazards on the Work Permit form. He then indicates the required controls for the
work which include:
For High-Risk work, where certificates are required, then the Area Authority
discusses the controls with the Safety Department.
The Area Authority then transfers the approved Work permits to be registered in
the Work Permit Log Book.
At the appropriate time the Area Authority arranges preparation of the job as
described in the Work Permit. He also arranges any Gas Testing required.
He also arranges briefing of the Permit holder on the job hazards and controls.
The Area Authority also visits the worksite during the job to assess compliance
with the Permit Conditions.
Once a month the Area Authority carries out a review of all Work Permits issued
to ensure they are filled out correctly and specific controls are applied. He then
makes a written report to the field Manager on the level of compliance and
highlighting problem areas.
He also retains all Work Permits, associated Certificates and monthly monitoring
reports for two years.
No person can issue a work permit for work they are to do themselves.
The Permit Holder carries out the job following the permit requirements and
bearing in mind the risks and the required controls including PPE.
Once the job is completed the Permit Holder signs off the Section in the Work
Permit as completed. If the job is not complete and is covered by an extension
then he must brief the next Permit Holder of the controls.
The field HSE Department advises in the risk assessment for those High-Risk jobs
where additional control certificates are necessary.
The Field HSE Department also carries out Gas Tests as required for the work.
The results are recorded on the Gas Test Certificate. See Appendix 4.
Where there is any lack of clarity about the roles within Operations such as Area
Authority, Permit Applicant, Permit Holder for any specific job, then Field HSE
will advise.
Every six months the Field HSE Department carries out a Work Permit Audit to
assess conformance with the procedure and guidance.
The Senior HSE in the Field retains all audit reports for a period of two years.
Once a year the HSE General Manager summarises the effectiveness of the Work
permit System for the MDs at the HSE Management Review.
The Field Manager reviews the work permits issued and any items arising every
six months at the Field HSE Committee meeting.
The Field manager is responsible for maintaining a list of all Professional Staff
competent to fulfill the role of Area Authority, Area Electrical engineer etc.
indicating their approval of these staff based on their qualifications. See
Appendix 3.
Certain activities are carried out where it is not necessary to issue work permits as
other controls are in place. Examples are shown below. If there is any doubt
about other types of work then the Area Authority should be consulted and a work
permit should be issued.
4.1 Workshop
Where readings are taken as routine work or part of Planned Maintenance PM,
then no Work Permit is necessary, provided they are visual observations only.
Any work which requires use of a portable instrument or process adjustment
requires a Work Permit.
Bringing any mobile equipment such as vehicles, cranes, generators, etc. into any
hazardous area requires the issue of a Mobile Equipment Entry Certificate only.
Subsequent work such as welding, excavation etc., may require a Work Permit.
Where portable electrical equipment is used as part of a maintenance task then the
risk assessment and use of the item should be included on the Work Permit, or a
separate Work Permit issued.
Where the equipment is carried without being needed for a specific task (such as
mobile phones, cameras, laptops, torches) then these must be subject to access
control. Anyone wishing to carry such equipment must obtain approval for access
from the control area before entering. Each process area keeps a logbook of all
equipment carried in to the area, defining exact location, time in and time out.
5.0 Procedure
For work scheduled in advance, the Permit Applicant should arrange for the risk
assessment and other control paperwork such as Hot Work and Entry Certificates
as soon as the scope of work is identified. This will involve discussions with the
Area Authority.
For breakdown work then the Area Authority will do the risk assessment at the
time.
Having identified that work is needed the Permit Applicant should discuss the
proposed work with the Area Authority to plan the work and agree the relevant
controls to manage the risks. All work will require a Work Permit. In addition,
some high-risk activities, such as Hot Work and Confined Space Entry will
require additional controls. These are identified in Appendix 2.
The necessary Control Certificates are indicated in the Work Permit. The
additional Control Certificates will be kept in a file in the Control Area until the
work is to be done.
All Work Permits have a pre-printed unique Serial Number to improve control of
paperwork.
The Permit Applicant should describe the proposed work and details of location,
timing, duration, tools and staff needed in Section A of the Work Permit.
Then he discusses the work with the Area Authority to carry out the risk
assessment and jointly agree the safety precautions required.
The Area Authority completes the Risk Assessment section of the form.
The Area Authority should carry out a pre-job risk assessment on the proposed
work using the checklist provided in Section B of the Work Permit. This
checklist identifies the main risks of the operations. Any others arising from the
work should be added to the Permit at this time. Where risks are identified and
recorded on the form, then corresponding controls should be put in place.
The Area Authority then indicates the preparation and method of isolation to be
used. The normal method of isolation for flammable, toxic or hazardous materials
will be by spade/blank or line removal. Where this is not possible then the
method used must be indicated along with additional precautions taken to manage
the risks.
For High Risk Jobs the Area Authority indicates which Control Certificates are
required and the required level of gas testing. The Area Authority then arranges
for these Certificates to be prepared.
Once the Certificates are prepared and approved they are attached to the Work
Permit for reference.
The Area Authority then indicates what PPE is required and whether any other
precautions, such as defined procedures, are to be used.
The Area Authority then signs and dates Section B and passes the form to the
Control Room to await issue to the Permit Holder who carries out the work.
Details of the completed and approved Work Permits are recorded in the Control
Room Work Permit Log Book.
Work Permits are often prepared some time in advance of the work and operating
conditions occasionally change between risk assessment and the start of the job.
To ensure that this is managed the Area Authority should carry out a review of the
work and just prior to the start of the job carry out a toolbox talk with the Permit
Holder and Work Party to ensure all precautions and work content are understood.
The Area Authority should also ensure that the required Gas Testing has been
done.
The Area Authority then signs and dates Section C for issue to the Permit Holder
who carries out the work.
He also displays a valid copy of the work permit at the work site.
No work is to be done unless a valid permit is clearly displayed at the work site.
Once the job has been prepared, and the Work Permit has been completed as far
as Section C, the Permit Holder reviews the Work Permit, to familiarise himself
with the relevant risk assessments, controls, prior preparations and personal
protective equipment needed. This will also involve reference to any Control
Certificates for additional precautions.
Once the Permit Holder understands the work, risks, controls and precautions he
signs and dates the first part of Section D of the work permit to start the work.
The Work Permit is valid for one shift (12 hours maximum). If necessary the
Permit may be extended by the Area Authority on a shift-by-shift basis. The job
will remain open according to the Validity stated in Section E of the permit until it
is completed.
If the job carries on beyond the shift then the Permit Holder passes his copy of the
Work Permit to the next person doing the work and explains the hazards, controls
and job progress. This person then becomes the Permit Holder and signs and
dates the control room copy of the permit to confirm the extended validity on the
Control Room Copy of the Work Permit.
Once the job is completed then the Permit Holder signs and dates the second part
of Section D of the Work Permit.
If the job cannot be completed then the Permit Holder should indicate the reason
in Section D of the Work Permit and sign and date Section D.
The Area Authority may cancel a Work Permit at any time for operational or
safety reasons.
The Work Permit is valid for one shift (12 hours maximum). When starting the
work, the Area Authority indicates the expiry in the first box of Section E of the
Work Permit. For a job that extends beyond one shift, the Area Authority should
indicate the time and date of validity for each extension though if it is to be
extended more than 12 hours a new permit should be raised.
In addition, for jobs that extend beyond one shift, before the Permit Holder starts
work again, the operating staff must review the workplace and operating
conditions to ensure that the Risk Assessment, Precautions and Controls are still
valid.
Once the Permit Holder has completed the job and signed Part D of the Work
Permit. The Area Authority checks the work and signs and dates Section E that
the job is completed or not completed and the Permit is cancelled.
6.0 Authorisation
Only authorised staff are allowed to complete any parts of the Work Permit or
Control Certificates.
Each Field Manager maintains a list of authorised staff with the relevant
competence to carry out these functions.
7.0 Administration
All SUCO Work Permits and Control Certificates have a pre-printed Serial
Number on the document. This is used to ensure traceability to the original
documents and to cross-refer between documents.
The Work Permit has four copies. The Original is given to the Permit Holder who
carries out the work. Copy 1 is retained in the Control Area. The Permit
Applicant retains copy 2. The Area Authority holds copy 3 and the HSE
department keeps Copy 4.
A Log Book is kept in the Control Area to record the Work permits and their
status. The format for this is seen in Appendix 5.
Completed and cancelled Work Permits and relevant Control Certificates are
retained in the Control Area until the work is completed. The Area Authority then
keeps these completed and cancelled Work Permits and all associated Control
Certificates in a file for a minimum of two years.
Whilst the work is being done, the Area Authority must visit the worksite to
ensure that specified controls are applied and adequate.
Once a month the Area Authority must review all the Work Permits issued in his
area to ensure that they are filled out correctly and specified controls are applied
and adequate. The Area Authority reports monthly to the Field Manager in
writing on the level of compliance with the requirements of the Work Permit
procedure. This report should also highlight any problem areas.
Once every six months the Field HSE sector/Department will carry out an audit
on the Work Permit system. The audit will assess conformance with this
procedure and associated guidance.
This audit will include a review of the Reports from the Area Authority. The
audit will also include an examination of the contents of the Work Permits to
determine adequacy of Risk Assessments and other controls.
The Field HSE Sector/Department will produce a report of the audit findings
indicating conformance and any areas for improvement.
In any accident and incident investigation the investigator should consider the
effectiveness of the Work Permit system and potential breakdown of controls.
Once a year the effectiveness of the Work Permit System is reviewed at the
Management Review Meeting.
The HSE General Manager (Cairo) provides a summary report of the system for
consideration using the monitoring and audit information obtained in the sections
above.
Work Permit
Control Certificates
Control Room Log Book
The Area Authority is required to retain all Work Permits and associated Control
Certificates, and monthly system monitoring reports for a period of two years.
The Senior HSE Adviser in the Field retains all audit reports for a period of two
years.
HSE General Manager holds a record file of documents and reports used for
submission to the Management Review.
Appendix 1.1
The Work Permit
A Tools/equipment to be used:
B
Moving Machinery Other Work in Progress Steamed Flammable
Lifting Other - Access Toxic
Confined Space Other - Shoring Oxygen
H2S Other - Other Norm
I understand the work, the Control Certificates, the precautions and the required protective measures
D
Permit Holder Name: Signature: Date:
E
The job is complete/not complete
Valid Until
Initials
Signature Date
Original Permit Holder, Copy 1 Control Room, Copy 2 Permit Applicant, Copy 3 Area Authority, Copy 4 HSE Department
Appendix 1.2
Permit to Work on Electrical equipment
SUCO Permit to Work on Serial Number: Control Room Reference Number:
Electrical Equipment
Permit
Description of Electrical Work Work Order Number Type of Work - Scheduled/Breakdown
Applicant
Plant/Location: Item to be worked on:
A
Date: Time: Duration: Number of Staff:
Permit Approval
Applicant
C Area Authority
Electrical Engineer
Safety
I understand
Responsible Area Managerthe work, the Control Certificates, the Signature:
Name: precautions and the required protective measures
Date:
E Valid Until
Initials
Signature Date
Original Permit Holder, Copy 1 Control Room, Copy 2 Permit Applicant, Copy 3 Area Authority, Copy 4 HSE Department
Appendix 2
Control Certificate Types
Work Type Control Prepared By Approved and
Issued By
Hot Work Hot Work Certificate Area Engineer + HSE Area Authority
Sector/Department
Confined Space Entry Confined Space Area Engineer + HSE Area Authority
Entry Certificate Sector/Department
Work on Electrical Electrical Work Area Engineer + Area Electrical Field Manager
Systems/Equipment Permit Engineer + Area Authority
and Work on Live
Systems
Area Authority
Area Mechanical
Engineer
Area Electrical
Engineer
Responsible Area
Electrician
Marine
Superintendent
Dive Supervisor
Radiography
Supervisor
HSE Engineer
Gas Tester
HSE Dept/Sector
Manager
Inspection Engineer
Laboratory Technician
Appendix 4.1
Control Certificates Electrical Isolation Certificate
SUCO Electrical Isolation Serial Number: Control Room Reference Number:
Certificate
Area Request for Electrical Isolation Work Permit Number Type of Work - Scheduled/Breakdown
Authority
Item to be isolated: Plant/Location:
A
Expected Duration: Time: Date:
The Planned Work is completed/not completed and the Equipment can be electrically reinstated.
D
Area Electrician Name: Signature: Date:
The Planned Work is completed the Equipment is electrically reinstated and the Certificate is Cancelled.
Original Control Room, Copy 1 Area Electrician, Copy 2 Permit Applicant, Copy 3 Area Authority, Copy 4 HSE Department
Appendix 4.2
Control Certificates Hot Work Certificate
SUCO Hot Work Certificate Serial Number: Control Room Reference Number:
Tools/equipment to be used:
Validity
Responsible Area Manager Name: Signature: Date:
Area Authority Name:
Department: Signature: Date:
Department: Valid Until:
Permit Approval
Applicant
C Area Authority
Mechanical Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Original Control Room, Copy 1 Permit Applicant, Copy 2 Area Authority, Copy 3 HSE Department
Appendix 4.3
Control Certificates Confined Space Entry Certificate
SUCO Confined Space Entry Serial Number: Control Room Reference Number:
Certificate
Permit Description of Work Work Order Number Type of Work - Scheduled/Breakdown
Applicant
Work to be done: Plant/Location:
Tools/equipment to be used:
B Lighting
Restricted Working Space
Drainage
Enter without BA
1 man standby outside
Other PPE
Gas Tests Cont/Intermittent
Flammable
Ventilation Toxic
Use of Tools/Materials Oxygen
Other Work in Progress Norm
Other -
Other -
Validity
Permit Approval
Applicant
Area Authority
C Mechanical Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Original Permit Holder, Copy 1 Control Room, Copy 2 Permit Applicant, Copy 3 Area Authority, Copy 4 HSE Department
Appendix 4.4
Control Certificates Excavation Certificate
A Tools/equipment to be used:
Norm
Other -
Other -
Validity
Area Authority
Responsible Name: Name:
Area Manager Signature:
Signature: Date: Date:
Department:
Department: Valid Until:
Permit Approval
Applicant
Area Authority
C Mechanical Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Civil Engineer
Engineering Office
Original Permit Holder, Copy 1 Control Room, Copy 2 Permit Applicant, Copy 3 Area Authority, Copy 4 HSE Department
Appendix 4.5
Control Certificates Ionising Radiation Source Certificate
Risk Assessment
B
Responsible Area Manager Name: Signature: Date:
Department: Validity
Permit Approval
Applicant
Area Authority
C Mechanical Engineer
Inspection Engineer
Original Control Room, Copy 1 Permit Applicant, Copy 2 Area Authority, Copy 3 HSE Department
Appendix 4.6
Control Certificates High Pressure Water Jetting Certificate
SUCO High Pressure Water Serial Number: Control Room Reference Number:
Jetting Certificate
Permit Description of Work Work Order Number Type of Work - Scheduled/Breakdown
Applicant
Work to be done: Plant/Location:
Tools/equipment to be used:
Validity
Responsible Area Manager Name: Signature: Date:
Area Authority Name:
Department: Signature: Date:
Department: Valid Until:
Permit Approval
Applicant
C Area Authority
Mechanical Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Safety
Original Control Room, Copy 1 Permit Applicant, Copy 2 Area Authority, Copy 3 HSE Department
Appendix 4.7
Control Certificates Diving Certificate
A Tools/equipment to be used:
B Other -
The Planned Work is completed/not completed Describe state if work not completed
All divers have returned
All diving equipment/tools have been recovered
Approval
The equipment can be reinstated
Thy supply Vessel can move off.
C
Appendix 4.8
Control Certificates Gas Test Certificate
A
Test frequency: Exact testing point:
Gas tester
Test results
Gas PPM Safe Source Time
Limits pressure
Flammable
Toxic
B Oxygen
Original Control Room File Copies (after completion) - Copy 1 Area Authority, Copy 2 HSE Department
Appendix 4.9
Control Certificates Mobile Equipment Entry
A
Equipment to enter:
B Lifting
Drainage Nearby
Communication
Spark Control
Watchers
Lighting
Gases Fire Extinguishers
Tools Cranes and Slings Water Hoses
Moving Machinery
Other Work in Progress
Validity
Area Authority
C Mechanical Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Original Permit Holder, Copy 1 Control Room, Copy 2 Permit Applicant, Copy 3 Area Authority, Copy 4 HSE Department
Appendix 4.10
Control Certificates Plant Release Certificate
A
Location Item to be Removed to:
Item Has Contained Method of Preparation Used Item Has Not Been Cleaned
Toxic Chemicals/Gases Depressured Potential Hazards Present (Description):
H2S Vented
Lead Purged with N2
Flammables Steameds
Oxygen Washed with Water
Nitrogen Scale Removed
Scale Other
Acid/Alkali
Norm Gas Tests
B Other
Other
Other Oxygen
Flammable
Toxic
The Preparation Work is completed/not completed and the Equipment can be removed.
Original Control Room, Copy 1 Electrician, Copy 2 Permit Applicant, Copy 3 Area Authority, Copy 4 HSE Department
Control Work
Room Date Permit Type Location Recommended Control Room Supervisor
Serial Serial Plant/Unit Starting Time Duration No. of Name Sign
Number Number Date Staff
Appendix 6
Glossary of Terms
Confined Space Entry The process of entering a confined space under controlled
conditions by issue of a Confined Space Entry Certificate
Field HSE Committee Monthly Field meeting to discuss HSE matters and
meeting Performance
Hand Tools Tools that require no external motive power such as electric
motor or air compressor. Used to reduce flammability
hazards and where extra care is necessary
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Hazardous Area Area defined by the Area Authority where flammable, toxic
or other hazards may exist as a result of normal or abnormal
operation
High Risk Work Work where the combination of hazards is such that
additional controls are needed. Includes Vessel Entry, Hot
Work, Excavation, work with radioactive sources etc. These
are covered by separate Control Certificates
Hot Work Work where there is a potential to generate enough heat that
could ignite a flammable atmosphere if present. Includes
welding flame, electrical arcs, grinding sparks or friction or
use of motors or engines or other non-intrinsically safe
electrical equipment
HSE Management Review A review meeting held annually to review overall HSE
performance, policy and performance against objectives
Job Completion The work is completed and the permit is signed off
Mobile Equipment Entry A control certificate used to assess the risk of use of mobile
Certificate equipment, issued in addition to a work permit
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Permit Applicant Authorised and competent person who can apply for work to
be done. Describes the work in detail on the Work permit
Permit Authorisation Once the risk assessment is done, controls are in place the
Permit is Authorised by the relevant Area Authority
Permit extension If a Permit due to be completed has not been completed and
the work will continue (under the same control conditions)
then the permit can be extended by the Area Authority
Portable electrical equipment Small items of electrical equipment that can be carried into
the work place by hand. This includes, radios, torches, gas
testers, meters, phones, computers, cameras etc. Not all
portable equipment is intrinsically safe so the entry must be
covered by additional controls
Risk assessment The overall process of estimating the magnitude of risk and
deciding whether or not the risk is tolerable
Safety Department The group of HSE professional staff located either at the
Field or in Cairo Office
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Validity Period to the end of the 12 hours shift where the Work
Permit is in force.
Work on Live Equipment Work on equipment where the source of hazard cannot be
positively isolated. Some areas, such as work on electrical
transmission systems or on long transfer pipework cannot be
isolated without considerable disruption. Work of this
nature requires signature of the Field Manager on the Permit
or Control Certificate
Work Permit Audit Six-monthly detailed examination of the system carried out
by Field HSE staff. Looks at the individual permits,
monthly Area Authority reports, accidents etc.
Work Permit Review Annual examination of the effectiveness of the system at the
Management Review Meeting
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