Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The relevant Level 2 Criteria are 5.2.4.1(91) [3] and 5.2.4.2(95). [4]
General principles
The following aspects should be considered with respect to Permit to Work Systems:
Human factors;
Failure to comply with the work permit system in hazardous environments; and
https://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/sragtech/techmeaspermit.htm 1/6
2/20/2021 Permit to Work Systems
Whether staff have been sufficiently informed, instructed, trained and supervised to minimise a potential
human failing during operation of the work permit system;
Whether the work permit system includes sufficient safety information, maintenance instructions, correct PPE
and equipment for use;
Whether the work permit contains sufficient information about the type of work required (Equipment removal,
excavation, hot/cold work, repairing seals, vessel entry, waste disposal, isolation);
Whether there is sufficient provision available to fulfil the requirements of the work permit system;
Whether the employees responsible for control of the maintenance work are identified within the work permit
system and that the work is properly authorised by a responsible person;
Whether the work permit system is managed, regularly inspected and reviewed;
Whether sufficient precautions are taken prior to initiating a work permit (isolation, draining, flushing,
environmental monitoring, risk assessments, communication, time allotted for the work);
Whether staff are aware of the type of environment they are working in during the operation of a work permit
(flammable, corrosive, explosive, zones 0, 1 & 2, electricity supplies);
Whether the person responsible for operating the plant is aware of the type of maintenance involved and how
long it is likely to take; and
Whether the work permit system involves a formal procedure whereby the maintained plant or equipment is
handed back to operation.
Major hazards
Major hazards could arise from the following:
Failure to recognise the hazards where work is carried out (e.g. flammable substances);
Introduction of ignition source in controlled flameproof area (e.g. welding, non spark-proof tools, non-
intrinsically safe equipment used in intrinsically safe zones);
Terms of work permit not adhered to (e.g. failure to isolate plant and/or drain lines of hazardous substances);
HS(G)5 Hot work : welding and cutting on plant containing flammable materials, HSE (Not in current HSE list).
Paragraph 3 refers to the precautionary measures needed when welding in areas that could be potentially flammable
by planning and controlling the task using a work permit system.
Paragraph 72 refers to the importance of management controlling the work permit system.
Paragraph 73 refers to the principles that should be followed when operating a work permit system.
HS(G)64 Assessment of fire hazards from solid materials and the precautions required for their safe storage and use,
HSE, 1991.
Paragraph 28 refers to the need for a work permit system if a source of ignition is introduced such as welding, cutting
or grinding. The system should contain any fire precautions necessary.
OIAC. Guidance on permit-to-work systems in the petroleum industry [8], Oil Industry Advisory Committee,
HSC, 1997.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/sragtech/techmeaspermit.htm 3/6
2/20/2021 Permit to Work Systems
IND(G) 98 (Rev 3) Permit-to-work systems, Free copy available at HSE Books online ISBN 0 7176 1331 3,
HSE, 1997.
Guidance on permit-to-work systems in the petroleum industry. ISBN 0 7176 1281 3, HSE, 1997
Loss Prevention in the Process Industries: Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control. Frank P Lees
1996, 2nd Edition, vol 2 ch. 20 and 21. ISBN 0 7506 1547 8. Published by Butterworth Heinemann.
Resources
COMAH: Notification form
(.xlsx)
[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
See also
COMAH Strategic Forum [17]
https://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/sragtech/techmeaspermit.htm 4/6
2/20/2021 Permit to Work Systems
Related content
News [18]
Chemicals [19]
Nuclear [20]
4. 5.2.4.2(95).
https://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/ca-guides.htm#sram
https://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/sragtech/techmeaspermit.htm 5/6
2/20/2021 Permit to Work Systems
18. News
https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/index.htm
19. Chemicals
https://www.hse.gov.uk/chemicals/index.htm
20. Nuclear
http://www.onr.org.uk/
21. Managing human factors
https://www.hse.gov.uk/humanfactors/index.htm
https://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/sragtech/techmeaspermit.htm 6/6