Permits To Work (PTW)

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Safety Talk

WORK PERMIT SYSTEM

P_____ Person accepting the permit become responsible for ensuring precautions and  
                  control measures are done.
E _____Everyone must comply no one special 
R_____ Recognized as the master instruction
M_____Management/Supervisor/Foreman to haves copies.
I______ Information should be on point, detailed and accurate.
T_____ Time limit to be specified.

to 

W_____ Work not specified cannot be done
O______Originator to ensure all precautions have been taken
R______ Responsibility is assumed by everyone taking over from originator
K______ Keep copy/permit displayed.

Work permit authorizes:

• Specific work to be carried out in restricted or hazardous areas.
• Serves as an official written record of conditions and requirement as agreed upon between the persons authorizing and receiving the permit.
• Specifies the conditions and procedures for safe execution of the work and allows the work to be carried out under controlled conditions.

There are three types of work permits.

1. Cold work permit (green): Shall be obtained for all general works of maintenance and radiography. Eg. Opening of process machinery etc.
2. Hot work / Vehicle entry permit (Red): A hot work / vehicle entry permit is required for the use of local source of ignition capable of igniting flammable gases, liquids or any other material. Eg, Welding, or entry of petrol / diesel driven vehicles or equipment in hazardous area etc.
3. Confined space entry Permit (yellow): A Confined space is any space large enough for a man to enter and where there could be presence of dangerous gas or fuel, there is likelihood of deficiency of oxygen, or access or egress is difficult or restricted. Eg. Vessels, tanks, furnaces, pits, telephone manholes, sewers, excavations deeper than 1.2 meters, floating roof tanks when roof are more than 3m down from the top, etc. 

Excavation Authorization:

• Within a restricted area, an Excavation authorization is required for all excavations regardless of depth. For excavations outside restricted areas, the excavation authorization is required for excavations deeper than half meter.
• Maximum validity of authorization shall not exceed one month (can be renewed two times) and it shall be obtained at least 3 days before commencement of work.
• Acold work permit is required if hand tools are being used for excavation and a hot work permit if powered tools or mechanical equipment are being used.
• For Excavations 1200 mm deep or more, a confine space entry permit is required, gas test shall be done as per entry permit requirements.

Gas Concentration limits for work permit

Cold work

• LEL— Less than 10% (up to 20% with air mask)
• H2S — Less than 10 ppm (should wear SCBA or airline mask at higher concentrations.

Hot Work

• LEL—Not to exceed 1 %, preferably 0% 
• H2S— Not to exceed 10 ppm

Confined space entry

• Oxygen — 19.5 to 23.5%
• LEL—Less than 10% (up to 20% with air mask)
• H2S — Below 10 ppm (above 10 ppm, entrants should wear Breathing apparatus, above 100 ppm, entry shall not be allowed.
• Other toxic gases — Reading shall be below TLV for entry without air mask (eg. CO — 25 ppm, Cl2 —0.5 ppm, SO2 — 2 ppm, NH3 — 25 ppm.) No entry even with BA if LEL is more than 20%, H2S is more than 100 ppm and CO is more than 500 ppm.

Permits to work (PTW)

1. Work permits are required before working on all client premises and equipments which includes; pipe lines, pumps, vessels, tanks, operational process and utility equipments, around crude oil, etc. :
2. Awork permit is initiated by the Client, it is a necessary legal document to start a job.
3. The Safety Department will ensure that day to day permits are issued by each department as necessary.
4. There are several types of forms to permit different activities on site, two types of permits were the main: Cold Work, and Hot Work Permits
5. Acold work permit is required for working with hand tools, that do not present a source of ignition.
6. Ahot work permit is required for working with a cutting torch, when welding, using electric tools and generators, or any other potential source of ignition, where flammable material may exists.
7. Special permits are also required before working on electrical equipment, entering a vessel, or performing any excavation.
8. Do not start any work in the oil fields, hydrocarbon or chemical processing and industrial units; until your supervisor has a current permit. If you don‟t know if the permit has been issued ask your supervisor.
9. The same rule applies to entering a vessel, performing excavations, or working on electricity. Make sure a permit is issued before starting work.
10. Organization / Client  may designate areas that DO NOT require permits such as; all shops, offices, camps, or other non-hazardous locations. But when working on contaminated containers or inside confined spaces at these areas permit to work will be required.

 

Always Remember

• To Evaluate the hazards
• To Plan on the precautions and control measures
• To Instruct the supervisors
• To Issue the permit