Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Permit To Work Procedure
Permit To Work Procedure
When issuing the permit-to-work, the Competent Person shall ensure that
each of the following is completed:
A Permit Number is obtained from the Facilities Administrator. This
number must be recorded in the relevant section of the permit.
No other Permits are issued which will impact upon the issue of this
Permit. Where it is unsafe to issue a Permit due to other works being in
progress, then the Permit shall not be issued;
The Permit is applicable to the works to be carried out;
The Permit records the exact location where the works are to be carried
out;
The precise periods that the Permit is valid for are recorded;
The nature of the works to be carried out are clearly identified;
The Company carrying out the works is identified;
The contractors supervisor is identified.
Once each of the above has been recorded, the Competent Person shall then:
Explain the conditions of the permit-to-work, including suspension /
cancellation procedures (given below) to the contractors supervisor;
Carry out a routine inspection of the works area to ensure that the control
measures detailed in the provided risk assessment / method statement
are in place.
Where the Competent Person will not be able to complete the monitoring
/completion process, e.g. due to leave, they should identify a suitably
competent designated deputy to carry out these functions. The deputy should
be identified on the Permit.
Once the Competent Person is satisfied that all control measures are in place;
they should sign section 2 of the permit to authorise the works to commence.
3 Acceptance
Once the sections relating to the above have been completed, the contractors
supervisor should then sign to acknowledge acceptance of the permit. The top
copy should be retained by the
Competent Person, and the bottom display copy given to the contractors
supervisor.
The Competent Person shall then be responsible for informing the Facilities
Administrator that the permit-to-work has been issued so that details may be
recorded in the Permit-to-Work Log Book.
4 Display Copy
The Contractor must display their copy of the permit in a prominent position,
wherever possible, adjacent to the works area. Contractors should leave the
permit in position for the duration of the works, including overnight. Contractor
operatives must not take the permit home. If a display copy is lost then the
contractors supervisor should notify the relevant Competent Person as soon
as possible.
If the display permit is lost, removed etc. then a copy of the Competent
Persons permit should be taken and provided to the contractors supervisor.
This will act as the display copy and must be displayed as before. Closure and
Cancellation of the permit, as documented below, should be recorded as below.
5 Monitoring the Permit-to-work:
~ This will be determined by the security of the area, how soon works will
be recommenced etc.)
When the Competent Person has confirmed that the above has been satisfied,
(s)he shall:
Sign the Permit to acknowledge cancellation;
Inform the Facilities Administrator that the Permit has been withdrawn;
Forward the completed permit (display copy) to the Facilities
Administrator for filing. (a file of completed permits should be kept for at
least six months);
File their copy of the work permit. This should be kept for at least six
months.
The Competent Person shall then be required to issue another Permit for the
works to be continued. Note: The original Risk assessments / Method
Statements should still be applicable, but the Competent Person must still
check to make sure that this is actually the case. Particularly, when dealing
with contractors, the identity of the operatives who will be carrying out the
works should be confirmed, so that the University can be certain that:
Operatives are competent;
Operatives are fully conversant with the agreed risk assessments /
method statements;
Operatives are inducted.
Where the method statement is found to be no longer applicable, the
contractors supervisor must re-submit new risk assessments / method
statements for approval before a new permit can be issued.
Where a delay is likely between the issue of expired and new permits, the
Competent Person should instruct the operatives to totally withdraw from the
works area, remove all tools etc. and ensure that the area is made safe whilst
awaiting the issue of a new permit.
If a contractor fails to return an expired permit-to-work, the Competent Person
shall ensure that all works have ceased and that the area has been left in a
safe and satisfactory condition.
If the operatives are still working, the Competent Person shall instruct the
contractors supervisor to cease works immediately (or as soon as it is safe to
do so) and cancel the permit.
Where additional permits are required these should be issued in accordance
with this section.
8 Out of Hours Working / Works During University Closures:
Inevitably, some works requiring a Permit to Work may need to be carried out
outside of normal University operating hours raising the problem of monitoring
contractor compliance with approved method statements / risk assessments.
Where such works are deemed necessary, the Competent Person should
complete a formal risk assessment. The Head of Facilities or their nominated
deputy shall give written confirmation before the works may proceed.
Pre-Start Inspection:
Before Asbestos removal can commence, the Authorised Person (Asbestos)
shall:
Arrange for a University Approved Laboratory to carry out Assurance
Testing at the end of the works. (Where contractors propose to
arrange this service, they must also use a University Approved
Laboratory);
Inspect the works area to ensure that the control measures as described
in the method statement are in place and fully operative.
(Decontamination Units etc.)
Monitoring:
The Dutyholder (Asbestos) shall be present, when any enclosures are tested for
integrity. Only when satisfied that the enclosure is suitable and sufficient, shall
the Dutyholder (Asbestos) sign the permit-to-work and allow works to
commence.
Where works are scheduled to take place over a number of days, in an area
that cannot be secured when unattended, then the Dutyholder person shall
ensure that the enclosure has a smoke test each day before works are
commenced.
Completion of Works:
Before enclosures are dismantled, the University Approved Laboratory must
carry out Assurance Monitoring within the enclosure. The laboratory must
provide, in writing, a satisfactory report that fibres encountered are within
acceptable limits (<0.01 fibres/ml).
The Dutyholder shall then allow the asbestos contractor to clear their working
area. When the area is clear of tools, materials etc., to the Dutyholders
satisfaction, the Dutyholder Person shall sign off the permit-to-work, and follow
the applicable closure procedures.
Details of the arrangements for access into and egress from the confined
space;
Details of the PPE to be used for the protection of the persons working
within the space.
Specific Permit-to-Work:
Permit to Dig
Introduction:
All grounds disturbance works on the University campus shall be subject to a
Permit-to-Dig
Permits-to-Dig shall only be issued by a Competent Person. Excavations shall
be carried out in accordance with all relevant legislation, but in particular:
The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) regulations 1996
HSG 150 Health and Safety in Construction
HSG 185 Health and Safety in Excavations: Be safe and shore
HSG 41 Avoiding Danger from Underground Services
Permit Duration:
Permits-to-Dig may be issued for a maximum of 5 working days and are
location specific. Where works exceed this period then new permits shall be
raised by the Competent Person.
Competent Person Duties:
The Competent Person shall be required to ensure that:
Contractors have sufficient information, where available, regarding
known positions of cables and underground services in order to plan the
excavation works safely;
Contractors have sufficient information, where available, regarding
ground conditions and stability of adjacent structures to enable a safe
means of excavation to be selected;
Where excavations could compromise the stability of adjacent structures
that a suitably competent Design Engineer is consulted to review the
works to be undertaken;
Any other information held by the University which may be relevant to
the chosen method of excavation selected by the contractor is made
available;
Ensure that the requirements of the Universitys procedures for the
management of premises contractors have been met;
Ensure that a permit-to-work is issued as per University procedures;
Ensure that the works are adequately monitored for safety compliance;
Ensure Permits are closed as per University procedures.
Permit Duration:
Permits-to-Work (Gas Services) may be issued for a maximum of 5 working
days and are location specific. Where works exceed this period then new
permits shall be raised by the Competent Person.
Competent Person Duties:
The Competent Persons shall be required to ensure that:
The requirements of the Universitys procedures for the management of
premises contractors have been met;
Ensure that a permit-to-work is issued as per University procedures;
The works are adequately monitored for safety compliance;
Permits are closed as per the general permit-to-work Procedures
Model Method Statements for Works on Gas Services:
Method statements should normally include the following so far as is relevant
in the
circumstances: Name and address of the contractor involved;
Permit Duration:
Permits-to-Work (Hot Work) may be issued for a maximum of 1 working day,
with works ceasing at least 1 hour before the end of the working day. These
permits are location specific.
Where works exceed this period then new permits shall be raised by the
Competent Person.
Competent Persons Duties:
The Competent Persons (Hot Works) shall be required to ensure that:
The requirements of the Universitys procedures for the management of
premises contractors have been met;
A permit-to-work is issued as per the procedures in this manual;
The works are adequately monitored for safety compliance;
Permits are closed as per the procedures in this manual.
Pre-Start Inspection:
Before signing the permit-to-work, the Competent Person shall inspect the
working area for the following control measures (where applicable):
Cutting and welding equipment is in good repair;
All gas hoses are securely clipped;
Welding / Cutting equipment is fitted with regulators and flashback
arrestors;
Area is adequately ventilated;
Gas cylinders are secured in a vertical position on a trolley.
Precautions within 10m of works (where practicable):
Floors swept clean of combustibles;
Combustible floors have been damped down or covered with sand or fireresistive sheeting;
Explosive atmosphere in area has been eliminated;
Flammable liquids have been removed, or if removal is impracticable,
protected with fire-resistive tarpaulins or metal shields;
All wall and floor openings are covered;
Fire-resistive tarpaulins are suspended below work.
Works on Walls or ceilings:
Construction is non-combustible and without combustible covering or
insulation;
Combustibles have been removed from other side of the wall
Work on enclosed equipment:
A permit-to-work (Confined Spaces) has been issued by a suitably
Competent Person.
Works on Roofs: (Bitumen boilers, lead heaters etc.)
Fire watch:
The Competent Person shall also ensure that the following general controls are
in place:
Suitable and sufficient fire extinguishers are readily available;
Operatives are trained in the use of fire extinguishers;
Adjacent smoke heads are covered to prevent false alarms;
Security & Reception are advised if it is deemed necessary to take the
local alarm system off of automatic 999 call out
All fire doors are closed;
Arrangements are in place to make sure that the hot works area is not
left unattended, for example during tea breaks, lunch etc.;
Operatives are aware of actions in case of emergency, 5566 calls etc;
No other persons are working in the area that might be endangered by
the hot works
Arrangements are in place to carry out a check of the area at least 1 hour
after the hot works have ceased;
Security are advised that the alarm should be put back on automatic 999
call out at cessation of the works.
Method statements:
Hot works covers a multitude of operations. In general, the Competent Person
shall ensure that the control measures listed above are accounted for, where
applicable, within the contractors method statement. The following elements
will however be common to the majority of method statements:
Name and address of the contractor involved;
Name and address of the site to which the method statement relates;
Names of the supervisor/foreman and appointed safety adviser and
arrangements for monitoring the work;
Description of the work to be carried out, including type of system /
components;
Details of the personnel to be used and their training / experience;
The steps to be taken to avoid the risk of explosion and in particular all
gas testing that is required;
All personal safety equipment that is required;
The action to be taken to segregate the work area and post warning
notices;
Actions to be taken in emergency situations.
Any nets provided must be properly installed by competent riggers. Rescue plans must be
in place should a person fall into a net.