Permit To Work System

Presented by:Nikhil Barshettiwar Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune

Contents

•Purpose Objective and Scope•Definitions•Key Responsibilities•Procedure•Permit Holder Qualification•Work requires permit•Type of work permit•Surrendering of work permit•Work Precautions•References

Purpose, Objective and Scope

PurposeDescribe procedures and guidelines on work permit system to carry out jobs of inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, upkeepment and construction in safest possible manner

ObjectiveTo exercise control over the maintenance, repair and construction activities by assigning responsibilities, ensuring clear cut communication between interested functions and safety considerations for job, its hazards and precautions required

ScopePermit to work applies when work is carried out by operating company and associated wellsite contractors

DefinitionsWellsite Permit to WorkSets out the work to be done, the precautions to be taken and specifies all work conditions

Wellsite Permit AuthorityThe person authorized to issue Wellsite Permits to Work

Operator RepresentativeRepresents the Operating Company responsible for the Wellsite work

Wellsite Permit HolderThe person who receives the Wellsite Permit to Work

Wellsite Work PartyThe people whose work is covered by the Wellsite Permit to Work

Key Responsibilities

• Permit Authorities

•Operator Representative

•Permit Holders

•Work Party Members

Issuing Permit • For each wellsite Only One Permit Authority is responsible

In order to issue a work permit,•Firstly notify Permit Authority•Secondly Site Inspection and Site briefing may be required•Thirdly the permit is prepared

Safe work permit should be made out in three copies:•One retained by issuer

•Second for workers directly involved in the task

•Third for safety department

Permit Holder QualificationPermit Holder Qualifications •Attend both Operating Company and contractor safety induction sessions

•Participate in the Permit Holder and Work Party Training Session

•Demonstrate an understanding of the Permit Holder responsibilities

•Demonstrate an understanding of site specific regulations

•Demonstrate an understanding of the JHA system

Works, Require Permit

• Major and minor maintenance work•Inspection•Construction•Alteration•Any hot work•Cleaning activities of process equipment•Entry into confined space•Excavation•Vehicle entry into process area•Work at height•Handling of material by mechanized means•Erection and dismantling of scaffold•Radiography•Isolation and energization of electrical equipment

Types of Permit• Cold Work Permit

Required for a work that is not standard or non-routine workAnd it is not yet covered by any other wellsite permit categories

Ex. Work with chemicals for which personnel are unknown

•Hot Work Permit

It is required for work, within 15 mtr of a well, which could generate an ignition source such as fire, naked flame, heat or spark

Ex. Welding, Soldering

Types of Permit(Cont..)•Pressure System Work Permit

Is required for any work involving equipment which is usually under pressure, may be under pressure, or any work involving pressurized operationsEx. Leak-off Test, FIT

•Electrical Work Permit

Is required for work on anyelectrical circuit or equipment, and MUST be carried out by persons holding Formal Electrical QualificationsEx. Work on generators, Work on SCR units

Types of Permit(Cont..)•Explosive and Radioactive Work Permit

Is required whenever explosives or radioactive substances are to be used or handledEx. Perforation, NMR Logging

•Confined Space Entry Permit

Is required whenever a person’s upper body or head enters into a confined spaceEx. Working in Frac and Mud Tanks

Validity of Permits•End of a Work Party’s shift

•The nominated expiry time on the Permit

•Work is suspended, or delayed due to shift change

•The Permit Holder is no longer available

•The sounding of an emergency alarm

•Cancelled by the Permit Authority

•Cancelled by the Operator Representative

•Work is completed

Work Precautions

Locks and Danger TagsI will be putting my hands on to equipment that needs repairing. Can I lock out that equipment and tag it?

Gas TestingI am using continuous gas monitoring and the monitor alarm sounds. What should I do?

Vehicle EntryI need to drive my vehicle within 15 metres from the wellhead.Before doing so, who do I need to see?

Case StudyTwo men employed by contractor died as a result of an explosion and fire in a horizontal brace in a semi-submersible oil exploration rig while it was undergoing repair at dock in Dundee. The rig operator’s permit-to-work system was being used at the time of incident. The explosion was caused by leaks from a propane hose which the contractors were using for welding and cutting. A fatal accident inquiry was held, at which the sheriff identified a number of failings which could have been put right by reasonable precautions and could have prevented the accident. The failures relating to the operation of the permit-to-work system were found to be:

• Inadequate training

•Incompetent management

•Poor working practices

•Inadequate communication

References

•www.ind-safety.com/editorial/2012 accessed on 20 March 2014

•Internal report on ‘Drillsafe Forum ‘, September 2006 Santos

•Internal report on ‘Guidance on permit-to-work systems in the petroleum industry’ by Department of HSE, UK

THANK YOUACCIDENT BRINGS TEARS, SAFETY BRINGS

CHEERS