Work permit
It is a legally written document which gives permission to start the job from the issuer to receiver. always permit to be available at the worksite.
Work permit system is essentially a document that categorically spells out the task equipment involved its location, personnel involved, time limitations, precautionary measures to be taken together with likely hazards to be encountered.
work permit system is generally shift timings 8 hours per day. in some special cases they extend the work permit for some more hrs.
Common types of work permits
- Fire or hot work permit
- Safe entry / vessel entry work permit
- Acid area work permit
- Working at heights permit
- Cold work permit
- Electrical work permit
- Excavation permit
1. Fire or hot work permit
These permits are issued to carry out the following operation in at such areas, processes, equipment where hot works under normal conditions is considered to be dangerous. that's like to No smoking areas, pipe lines and equipment etc.
work which require hot work permits
- welding, gas cutting, grinding, metal chiseling riveting, working with open flames etc
- Use of electric operated tools unless they are of lame proof type or explosion proof type
- Work on electrical transmission system.
Precautions
- Equipment of the area should be tested to determine the explosion range and Explosive content can be cleared by clearing or ventilating or purging.
- Cover all pits, sumps, openings etc. with fire proof material to prevent spark entering and causing explosion or fire.
- Adequate fire fighting equipment should be kept ready along with person who knows the operation of the equipment.
2. Safe entry or vessel entry permit
A vessel entry permit will only authorize entry into vessel; separate hot work permit should be issued, be issued, if such work is done on the vessels.
Examples of vessels are tanks, drums, boilers, furnaces, reaction towers, barrels, pipe lines, sewers, pits etc.
The hazards may be presence of toxic / inflammable vapors or gases, suffocation due to lack of oxygen, slipping and falling etc,
Precautions
- Isolate entry equipment / vessel from all source through which any energy, stock or harmful substance can get introduced by disconnection, blinding, blanking etc.
Test the vessel inside and determine the presence of explosive mixture, oxygen content etc. in case of presence of explosive mixture and deficiency of oxygen it should be further ventilated till such time explosive mixtures are removed or oxygen content is increased to the minimum level of 17 percentage
- In case of deficiency of oxygen cannot be improved, entry should be restricted to persons wearing safety belts, self contained breathing apparatus. vessels purged with inert gases require test for co2 and oxygen.
3. Acid area work permit
Work in acid area causes numerous hazardous conditions like noncorrosive / presence of acid gas fumes / vapors which may be harmful / explosive
Plant in charge should make a through study of the work to be done and the hazard involved in the same before issuing a permit. Safety precautions like isolation, depressurization, draining, washing, fleshing purging, fire prevention, use of suitable PPE's etc should be taken before issuing a permit.
4. Working at height permit
Working at height roof tops etc,. would lead to accidents including fatal accidents on account of
- Slipping and falling,
- Failure of platform or scaffolding, leaders,
- Fall of equipment / tools / materials from heights
Precautions
- Proper checking, use of ladders, platform, scaffolding etc.
- Use of aids like crawling boards, specially designed ladders etc.
- Use of PPES like safety belts, helmets to be used by both the persons working at heights as well as persons working below.
- check the medical certificate of the worker regarding work at height.
5.Cold work permit
These permits are issued to carry out the following operation in at such areas processes, equipment where under normal conditions is considered to be not dangerous
Ex. white washing ,stitching, computer works etc.
Precautions
- Attitude is the best precaution for cold work
- Proper work clothing and protective equipment
- Proper training and healthy work practices
- Monitor workplace temperature
- engineering controls
6. Electrical work permit
The hazards in the electrical work are burn injuries, shock, fatalities etc. Generally the department rested with the responsibility of the power generation, distribution and control will originate the permit, authorize the maintenance / repair work on electrical circuits and other equipment operated electrically.
Precautions
- Originator to ensure that all the apparatus, live lines concerned are made dead and connected to earth
- Isolation from live conductors. originator to recheck again and satisfy himself before issuing a permit.
- permit receiver or job executor can recheck the system to satisfy himself before undertaking the work availability and use of rubber mat, safety helmet, rubber gloves, shoes etc
- Recheck the equipment / system before canceling the permit, then he can energize the system by removing the earth and closing circuit etc.
- 7. Excavation permit
Hazard in excavation are breaking of pipelines carrying hazardous substance, breaking of electrical / telephone cables etc.
which may result in accidents, disruption or delay in production, loss of life or properly disruption in communication etc
Precautions
- Permits can be prepared with the help of the factory plan and sent to the engineer / plant in charge for counter singing. or plant in-charge.
- Engineer would suggest special precautions to avoid accident, damage Before counter signing.
- The area which needs to be excavated to be marked with line or other mean.
- Before issuing work permit check area properly that's like excavation area should be barricaded or fenced.
- If work is to continue after sun set or if there is chances of poor lighting due to weather, lighting should be provided around the barricading.
