SECTION 12

WORK PERMIT SYSTEM

CONTENTS

12.1 Work Permit System

12.2 Permit Parameters

12.3 Permit Categories

12-4 Cold Work Permit

12.5 Hot Work Permit Administrative Requirements

12.6 Hot Work General Precautions Hot Work Specific Precautions

12.7 Engineer's Workshop Precautions Additional to General Precautions 7 Day Permit

12.8 Engine Room/Accommodation Precautions Additional to General Precautions

12.9 Poop Deck Precautions Additional to General Precautions 12 Hour One Job Only
Permit

12.10 Other Location Precautions Additional to General Precautions 12 Hour Permit One
Job Only Tanker/Combination Carriers

12.11 Other Location Precautions Additional to General Precautions 12 Hour Permit One
Job Only

12.12 Safe Working Practice

12.13 Repair Squad Situations Hot Work permit Report

12.1 WORK PERMIT SYSTEM

A “PERMIT TO WORK” system is to be used to ensure all safety hazards are identified and
thereafter eliminated or controlled.

It details written, step by step, formal actions by those responsible for the work.

It is essentially a permit that documents the work to be done and the precautions to be taken in
doing it. It consists basically of an organized and pre-defined safety procedure. It forms a clear
record of all the foreseeable hazards, which have been considered in advance, and the appropriate
precautions, which have been determined, and shows the correct sequence of operation and
precautions. A “permit to work” does not in itself make the job safe but is a guide dependent for
its effectiveness upon the conscientious observation of the set procedure by those involved in the
job.

12.2 PERMIT PARAMETERS

The particular circumstances of individual ships will determine the particular areas in which
“permit to work” system can most usefully be adopted but, in general, the following principles
should apply:

a. The first and most important step is the assessment of the situation by a
responsible supervisor. Initially, on the ships within the fleet, only the
Master, Chief Officer, Chief Engineer or First Assistant will be able to issue a
work permit and this permit must be relevant to the respective department
although the Master can issue a permit for any location. The issuer should be
experienced in the work involved and thoroughly familiar with the relevant
hazards.

b. The information given in the permit should be precise, detailed and accurate.
It should state:

(1) The work location;

(2) Details of the work to be done;
(3) The nature and results of any preliminary tests undertaken;
(4) Measures undertaken to make the job safe;
(5) The safeguards to be taken during the operation.
c. The permit should specify the period of its validity which should not exceed
12 hours. The one exception to the 12 hour rule is for a permit issued to
cover HOT WORK in the engine room workshop. In this location the
permit
can be valid for 7 days and applicable for general repairs brought into the
workshop but not applicable to repairs of structures/pipes, etc. integral to the
workshop.

d. Only the work specified on the permit should be undertaken.

e. Before signing the permit the responsible supervisor should personally check
that all the measures specified as necessary have in fact been taken and that
 safety arrangements will be maintained until the permit is revoked or “closed”
(terminated/cancelled).

f. Anyone who taken over, either as a matter of routine or in an emergency,

from the person who originally issued the permit, should assume full
responsibility until he has either “closed” (terminated/cancelled) the permit or
handed it over to another nominated person who should be made fully
conversant with the situation.

g. The engine room workshop permit shall be posted in a conspicuous place in

the workshop. The permit shall be “opened” (issued) by the Chief Engineer
or First Assistant and initialed by all “HOT” workers. The permit shall be
“closed” (terminated/cancelled) by either the Chief Engineer or First
Assistant.

h. The person responsible for carrying out the specified work should
countersign the permit to indicate his understanding of the safety
precautions to be observed. On completion of the work he should notify the
issuing supervisor. Thereafter both MUST jointly inspect the work site to
ensure the area is safe and free from latent ignition sources.

i- A permit can be suspended by ANY crewmember who judges the procedure

to be unsafe. The matter should then be referred to the issuing supervisor.
If necessary, the matter can be taken to the Master for adjudication. The
Master's judgement is final.

12.3 PERMIT CATEGORIES

There are two categories of permits;

a. HOT WORK PERMIT (see Chapter 5 for HOT WORK definition and
parameters);

b. COLD WORK PERMIT.

12.4 COLD WORK PERMIT

Relates to any work which will not involve generation of temperature conditions likely to be of
sufficient intensity to cause ignition of combustible gases, vapors or liquids in or adjacent to the -
area involved.

12.5 HOT WORK PERMIT ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS

a. All hot work requires a permit.

 b. The permit, completed in duplicate, must be reviewed by all those involved in
the planned hot work before the job is begun.

c. Everyone who signs a permit is responsible to ensure all precautions are in

place.

d. The permit is NOT VALID if any precaution can not be met at any time during
hot work unless the Fleet Manager has given specific approval.

12.6 HOT WORK GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

a. The Master of Senior Officers has determined that the HOT WORK procedure
is safe.

b. Precautions have been explained to all personnel.

c. Deck watch has been informed when HOT WORK is to be beginning and when
completed.

d. Objects on which HOT WORK is to be done, surrounding areas and adjoining

tanks and compartments, have been cleared of all flammable material and have
been tested “SAFE FOR WORKERS/SAFE FOR HOT WORK” and
ENCLOSED SPACE ENTRY CHECK LSIT ACCEPTABLY COMPLETED.

e. Welding/cutting equipment and personnel protective equipment found to be in

good condition.

f. HOT WORK will not reduce vessel's fire fighting capability.

g- Instruct and maintain a fire watch with extinguisher (and hose if applicable) in
work area and adjacent compartments as required with tested means of
communication until work has cooled.

h. All necessary terminal, port authority and governmental approvals have

been obtained where necessary.

HOT WORK SPECIFIC PRECAUTIONS

12.7 ENGINEER'S WORKSHOP PRECAUTIONS ADDITIONAL TO GENERAL

PRECAUTIONS 7 DAY PERMIT

a. Notify engineering watch officer or standby engineer before hot work

begins and upon completion.

b. Local housekeeping checked. Fire alarm tested.

c. Check for special precautions to be taken and noted.

 d. Check permit validity period.

e. Permit opened (issued) and signed by Chief Engineer or First Assistant

Engineer and initialed by all workers engaged in HOT WORK in the
workshop.

12. 8 ENGINE ROOM/ACCOMMODATION PRECAUTIONS TO GENERAL

PRECAUTIONS

a. Bilges below hot work checked free of flammable vapor and concentration.

b. Work will be shielded to contain sparks.

c. For hot work on piping used to carry flammable substances section has been
dismantled and/or cleaned and checked free of flammable vapor.

d. For hot work on pipe sections, which extend beyond engine room - section
has been blanked.

e. For hot work in engine room, notify engineering watch officer or standby
engineer before work begins and upon completion.

f. Check for special precautions to be taken and noted.

g. Hot work will stop if there is any change in conditions. A new permit must
be issued if hot work stops for longer than 6 hours.

h. Validity period noted.

i. Location and work description.

j- Permit opened and signed by Chief Engineer or First Assistant Engineer and
worker. Permit thereafter “closed” by the same personnel.

12.9 POOP DECK PRECAUTIONS ADDITIONAL TO GENERAL PRECAUTIONS 12

HOUR ONE JOB ONLY PERMIT

a. Hot work will not be performed in port unless also authorized by shore
authorities.

b. Hot Work will not take place during tank cleaning, dangerous cargo operations,
oil tanker ballast operations and bunkering operations.

c. Fire pump will be running with fire hoses laid out and connected.

d. Shield work to contain sparks. Work will not continue if sparks drift towards
bunker tank vents or other flammable substances.
 e. Check for special precautions to be taken and noted.

f. Hot work will stop if there is any change in conditions. New permit must be
issued if hot work stops for longer than 6 hours.

g- Hot work will not affect the watertight integrity of the poop itself.

h. Validity period noted.

i. Location and work description.

j. Permit opened (issued) and signed by master or Chief Mate and worker.
Permit thereafter “closed” personnel.

DRY CARGO SHIPS ONLY

12.10 OTHER LOCATION PRECAUTIONS ADDITIONAL TO GENERAL

PRECAUTIONS 12 HOUR PERMIT ONE JOB ONLY

a. Hot work will not take place during dangerous cargo operations or any other
hazardous situation.

b. Fire pump will be running with fire hoses lead out and connected.

c. Work shielded to contain sparks.

d. Check for special precautions to be taken and noted.

e. Hot work will stop if there is any change in conditions. A new permit must
be issue dif
hot work stops for longer than 6 hours.

f. Validity period noted.

g- Location and work description.

h. Permit opened (issued) and signed by Master or Chief Mate and worker.
Permit thereafter “closed” by same personnel.

TANKER/COMBINATION CARRIER
12.11 OTHER LOCATION PRECAUTIONS ADDITIONAL TO GENERAL
PRECAUTIONS 12 HOUR PERMIT ONE JOB ONLY

a. Fleet Manager approval received understood and complied with.

b. Fleet Manager notified when hot work is begun and upon completion.

c. Hot work will not take place during tank cleaning, dangerous cargo operations
or bunkering operations.

d. Fire pump will be running with fire hoses lead out and connected.

e. Shield work to contain sparks.

f. Check for special precautions to be taken and noted.

g. Hot work will stop if there is any change in conditions. A new permit must be
issued if hot work stops for longer than 6 hours.

h. Validity period noted.

i. Location and work description.

j. Permit opened (issued) and signed by master or Chief mate and worker.
Permit thereafter “closed” by same personnel.

SEE PARAGRAPHS 12.5 AND 12.6 OF THIS CHAPTER AND CHAPTER 11

“ENTRY INTO DANGEROUS SPACES” FOR FURTEHR GUIDANCE.

12.12 SAFE WORKING PRACTICE

The Management recognizes that a work permit system is important to our current work ethic.
However, the Management also recognizes the importance of safe working practices and views a
WORK PERMIT system as being the most effective way of improving safety.

To begin with, and effective with the introduction of this Safety manual a HOT WORK permit
system is to be implemented.

The HOT WORK permit from, (See Appendix “A” of this Chapter) is designed to be simple to
understand by all the varying nationalities working onboard and at the same time alert all
concerned to the possible hazards and the necessary precautions of the planned operation.

12.13 REPAIR SQUAD SITUATIONS

If Management dispatch to a ship a large contingent of fitters to carry out essential

repairs. This can result in upwards of 40 men working and welding within a single
space. Obviously we cannot expect 40 men to use 40 separate Hot Work permits. In
these cases the Master shall ensure that a permit is issued to the Team leader (e.g.
Senior Fitter) who directly controls the work within that respective area. A Hot
Work permit can only cover a single space. Each space or hold or tank or room must
be allocated a separate permit, which can only be issued, to a worker who is
constantly supervising the work within that respective space.

TO REITERATE:

A work permit cannot be issued to cover the whole ship or a group of tanks or a
group of compartments.

A work permit cannot be issued to a person who is supervising more than one space.

In normal shipboard operations the work permit can only be issued to the worker
assigned to the task.

Only during intensive repair periods requiring multiple HOT WORK within a single
space can a single space HOT WORK permit be issued to a single supervisor who
must be constantly present in his assigned space to safely control the work within that
space.

APPENDIX “A”

HOT WORK PERMIT - SPECIMEN

Permit Valid From: Hours: Date:

Permit Valid To: Hours: Date:

 Permit Issuer's Signature: Rank:

Permit Holder's Signature: Rank:

Location of Work:

Description of Work:

Answer Positively or Explain:

JOINT INSPECITON MADE?

AREA AND ADJACENT AREAS CLEAR AND CLEAN?

OXYGEN TESTED FOR 21%?

GAS TEST LEL 1%?

AREA ADEQUATELY VENTILATED AND SAFE?

ELECTRICS ISOLATED'?

PIPELINES ISOLATED?

PIPE LINES SAFE AND GAS FREE?

FIRE PRECAUTIONS TAKEN?

FIRE WATCH IN PLACE?

ISSUER'S ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS?

ON COMPLETION, AREA JOINTLY INPSECTION & FOUND SAFE?

Permit Closing Time: Hours: Date:

Closing Signature of Issuer: Rank:

Closing Signature of Holder: Rank:

From Distribution: Original to Holder: Copy to

Issuer: