1.1 INTRODUCTION TO PERMIT TO WORK (PTW) SYSTEM:

CCC

1.2 PURPOSE OF PTW SYSTEM:

The fundamental purpose of the PERMIT TO WORK SYSTEM is to safeguard the workers, protect the plant equipment, prevent fires and to ensure that all work is carried out in the safest possible manner. Further, to make sure that the manpower carrying out the work are fully aware of the scope, Nature and extent of the job, the associated hazards involved in it and any limitations of the work.

1.3 TYPES OF WORK PERMITS:

Differnet types of work permits are applicable according to the job requiremetns. Also depends on the specific industry related needs and requirements. Following are the commonly used types of work permits being used in industries, e.g. Fertilizers, Oil and Gas, Oil Refineries etc.

• Cold Work Permit
• Hot Work Permit
• Confined Space or Vessel Entry Permit
• Electrical Work Permit
• Excavation Clearance Work Permit
• Load Lifting Work Permit
• Vehicle Entry Work Permit
• Radiography Work Permit
• Instrument Work Permit

1.4 IMPORTANT TERMS USED IN PTW SYSTEM:

Various terms are being used in PERMIT TO WORK SYSTEM. Knowledge and understanding of these terms is essential for better understanding and true implementation of PTW System. Following are important terms being used and their definations:

1.4.1 ISOLATED: Permit Issuer shall declare the system ISOLATED, when the physical, mechanical or electrical system has been isolated from all sources of hazardous energy and such energy is prevented from re-entering the system by physical, mechanical, or electrical means i.e., all energy sources (chemical or electrical) have been locked out or disconnected.

1.4.2 VENTILATED: Permit Issuer shall declare the system has been VENTILATED only when any of following conditions have been ensured:

• Work area is sufficiently open, to allow for adequate ventilation and is free of toxic gases (no atmosphere testing is required);
• Work area is inside a confined space, but has been adequately ventilated by
• The removal of manholes/branches;
• Supplemented by air moving equipment or ejector;
• And free of toxic gases. (Verified by atmosphere testing)

1.4.3 DRAINED: The permit Issuer shall declare the system DRAINED, when NO process material is coming from all drain valves / bleeders of system (liquid) which is to be handed over, provided that drain points are not choke.

1.4.4 FLUSHED: The permit issuer shall declare the system FLUSHED, when process material inside pipeline/equipment has been cleaned / rinsed with water or steam or any other applicable means, after drainage.

1.4.5 DEPRESSURIZED: The permit Issuer shall declare the system DEPRESSURIZED, when NO process material is coming from all vent valves / bleeders of system (gaseous) which is to be handed over, provided that vent points are not choke.

1.4.6 PURGED: Permit Issuer shall declare the system PURGED, when process material inside pipeline/equipment has been cleaned / displaced with air, nitrogen, or any inert gas, after depressurization.

1.4.7 DECONTAMINATED: Permit Issuer shall declare the system DECONTAMINATED, when all of the following conditions have been met:

• The system is ISOLATED as per 1.4.1
• The system is FLUSHED or PURGED (Ref.3.4 & 3.6) If the system cannot be FLUSHED or PURGED from one end to the other end, then the system shall not be declared DECONTAMINATED. Every effort must be made to ensure the flushing or purging of system, with precautions taken such as stroke/tap or open automatic and manual valves, to avoid any trapped material in the valve core or between the body or adjacent flanges/blinds. Decontamination must be confirmed through laboratory Sampling before marking as Decontaminated.

1.4.8 HOT AND COLD SURFACE: Any working environment, where chance of exposure to any material above 50 °C or cooler than 0 °C exists, that may cause thermal burns or frostbite. Examples include steam condensate and chilled ammonia respectively.

1.4.9 HAZARDOUS MATERIAL: A hazardous material is any item or agent (biological, chemical, radiological, and/or physical), which has the potential to cause harm to humans, property or the environment, either by itself or through interaction with other factors. Following are general guidelines for identification of hazardous material

• Corrosive: Which causes skin & tissue burns. e.g., Nitric Acid, Caustic, Hydrochloric Acid, Sulfuric Acid etc.
• Toxic: Which causes illness or even death, if ingested or absorbed, through skin or respiratory system. e.g., Ammonia, Hydrogen Sulphide, Carbon Mono-Oxide etc.
• Carcinogens: Which causes Cancers. e.g. Asbestos
• Flammables: Which readily burns (Flashpoint less than 38C)
• Combustibles: which readily burns (Flashpoint greater than 38C)
• Reactive Chemicals: Those substances which can, in contact with air, water or other common substances, vigorously or violently give off heat, energy or toxic gases or vapors. Examples of highly reactive chemicals are explosives, peroxides, water-reactive, and pyrophoric.
• Biological Hazardous Material: Organic substances that pose a threat to the health of humans and other living organisms.

1.5 WORK PERMIT CHECKS:

• YES: It means the check is applicable and has been performed. For example, Pump must be electrically isolated for replacement job of its glands. On work permit it is marked as ‘Yes’ if you performed electrical isolation.
• NO: ‘No’ means the relevant check has to be performed but it is not performed due to any possible reason. For example, Pump must be electrically isolated for replacement job of its glands. On work permit it is marked as ‘No’ if you are not performing electrical isolation.
• NOT APPLICABLE: ‘Not applicable’ means the relevant check is not applicable for this job. For example, for a pump’s gland tightening job, the asbestos handling check is not applicable.

1.6 GENERAL RULES FOR PTW SYSTEM:

If clear guidelines are not available in this system then following general rules must be followed for better understanding of both issuer and receiver so that work could be executed in a safe manner.

• A joint site visit of issuer and receiver before the issuance of work permit is mandatory.
• Only authorized personnel as certified by HSE unit after competative exam or interview, who are working in a supervisory capacity (supervisors, sub-Engineers, Engineers and above) can issue the work permits.
• Only authorized personnel as certified by HSE Unit after competative exam or interview can receive work permits.
• An evergreen list of authorized work permit issuers and receivers shall be available in all operation control rooms.
• Evergreen list should be shared by HSE Unit or Training Center at site and is the responsibility of all plant owners to make it available.
• HSE Unit should issue validation cards for authorized permits issuers and receivers.
• 3rd party contractors shall be responsible to issue a list of people responsible to receive work permits on their behalf. HSE Unit is responsible for formal training and testing of these people. Upon certification these employees shall signoff permits on behalf of their contractors.

1.7 WORK AT HEIGHT GUIDELINES:

There are certain jobs that involve working at an elevated location or height, following guidelines shall be followed for all such jobs:

• Safety harness, Safety Helmet with chin strip & Gas Mask is mandatory for jobs carried on Scaffolding platform irrespective of scaffolding height.
• All scaffoldings MUST be inspected and green (Scaffolding Fitness Certificate) tagged before use, by the independent authorized and certified scaffolding inspector. The serial number of scaffolds shall be referenced on the work permit.
• The scaffolding Fitness certificate (Green-White-Green Tag) should be displayed at the scaffolding entry point or ladder.
• Permit for working at height jobs, MUST only be issued after ensuring valid green tagged scaffolding, the following is to be ensured:
• All tools should be carried in tool kits to avoid their falling.
• Throwing or dropping of material/ equipment from height is prohibited.
• Avoid jumping from one location to another of a structure. Use proper passageway.
• Both hands should be free, while climbing the ladder. Bypassing the steps of ladder should be avoided.
• Before issuing / handing over the scaffolding adjustment permit, it is the responsibility of the Area Owner (i.e., Shift Incharge /Area Operator) to remove the scaffolding certificate (Green-White-Green Tag) and provide Scaffolding Unsafe Tag (Red Tag)
• In case scaffolding gets expired after defined time period, it should be recertified and tag to be removed by respective area owner if no job is in progress.
• Scaffolding Unsafe Tag (Red colored) titled “Do Not Use This Scaffolding” should be displayed on the scaffolding if it is incomplete, unsafe, substandard, or yet to be certified by certified scaffolding inspector.
• It’s the responsibility of area owner to remove scaffolding as soon as the job is finished to eliminate tripping hazards from passageways etc.A hazardous material is any item or agent (biological, chemical, radiological, and/or physical), which has the potential to cause harm to humans, property or the environment, either by itself or through interaction with other factors. Following are general guidelines for identification of hazardous material.