Unit 14:

Permit to Work System and Safe

Isolation

Objectives:

On completion of this unit, ‘Permit to Work and Safe Isolation’, you

should know:
a) the procedure to complete a ‘permit to work’ to enable safe completion of tests EX01, EX02, EX03
and EX04;

b) the procedures to identify, from drawings, the location of protection and control devices for tests
EX01, EX02, EX03 and EX04;

c) the procedure to safely isolate and secure isolation of electrical circuits and apparatus for tests EX01,
EX02, EX03 and EX04.

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Permit-to-work and safe isolation

Candidates attending the 5-day CompEx course are required to carry out four practical assessments in the
simulated hazardous areas. During these assessments, candidates must demonstrate their ability to work
safely by ensuring that all precautions are taken to prevent ignition of a flammable gas which, for the purpose
of the assessments, it is assumed may be present at any time.

Work permit
In order to ensure that safety is maintained, candidates must operate within the control of a work permit - a
sample is shown overleaf - which must be requested from the Assessor/Authorised Person.

In association with the work permit, a gas-free certificate must be endorsed by the Assessor/Authorised
Person at all instances when, for example, a particular action is likely to produce a source of ignition. Such
situations occur when electrical test instruments and/or portable electric tools are used.

Procedures for CVT’s EX01, EX02, EX03 & EX04

Isolation
Candidates are required to:

a) Request a ‘work permit’.

b) Complete parts 1, 2 and 3 of the ‘Work Permit’ and obtain ‘Authorisation to Isolate’ the
electrical circuit for the respective workbay.
Note: PPE in the designated areas is mandatory

c) Identify the ‘point of isolation’ plant reference No. and apparatus ID for ‘zero voltage
testing’.

d) Isolate the electrical circuit and secure using two locks (candidate + assessor’s locks) and
warning label.

e) Request ‘gas-free certificate’.

f) Select appropriate test instrument, carry out ‘zero voltage test’ and confirm result on part 3
of ‘work permit’.
(Note: instrument must be proved before and after use)

g) Obtain approval to proceed with work (part 4 of work permit).

Note: Step ‘d’ does not apply to EX03 since isolation is achieved by switching off and
removal of keys in the fire and gas panel.

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Final instrument testing
h) Request endorsement of ‘gas-free certificate’ prior to final instrument testing
(part 5 of work permit).

i) Prepare installation for live testing and clear worksite (part 6 of work permit).

De-isolation

j) Obtain authorisation to de-isolate (part 6 of work permit).

k) Confirm de-isolation is complete (part 6 of work permit).

l) Obtain cancellation of work permit (part 7 of work permit).

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Permit To Work
1. Work details

EX01 EX02 EX03 EX04 Date:

Job description________________________________________________________________

2. Safety requirements - Personal Protective Equipment - (Tick items)

Coveralls Footwear Eye protection
Hard hat Gloves

3. Isolation
Gas free test required Yes No
Gas free certificate endorsed Yes

■ Authorisation to isolate _____________________________(Authorised person)

■ Equipment has been isolated at; ____________________________________________
■ and checked for zero voltage at ____________________________________________
■ Isolation complete & zero voltage
confirmed by candidate ___________________________________(Candidate)

4. Authorisation / acceptance
I hereby authorise _________________ to proceed with work ___________________
(candidate) (Authorised person)

I understand and accept responsibility for the work ___________________ (Candidate)

5. Final instrument testing (EX01 & EX03 only)

Gas free test required Yes No
Gas free certificate endorsed Yes

6. Clearance / de-isolation
■ I hereby declare the above work has
been completed and work site cleared
■ I hereby authorise de-isolation
■ De-isolation complete
______________________ (Candidate)
_______________________(Authorised person)
_______________________ (Candidate)

7. Cancellation
All work detailed above is completed and ‘Permit-to-Work’ is cancelled________________
(Authorised person)
 Gas Test Certificate

■ This certificate confirms that the workbay nominated below in the Ex Training Facility has been
tested and deemed to be free of flammable gases for only the specific task(s) authorised
below.

Work details (tick box)

EX01 EX02 EX03 EX04

Location

Workbay No.

Authorised by______________________ (signed) Date____________

Authorised person
Action to be authorised
(signed)

Zero voltage test (isolation)

Use of portable heat gun

Final ‘instrument’ circuit testing