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.
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, following principles should apply:
The first and most important step is the assessment of the in general, the responsible supervisor. Initially, on the ships within the fleet, only the Master, Chief Officer, Chief Engineer or 2nd Engineer, ETO offshore vacancies 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.
The information provided in the permit must be accurate, detailed and accurate.It should state:
Work place;
Details of the work to be performed;
The results of any preliminary tests performed;
Measures undertaken to make the job safe;
The safeguards to be taken during the operation.
The permit must specify the period of its validity, which must not exceed 24 hours.
The one exception to the 24 hour rule is for a permit issued to cover HOT WORK in the engine room workshop. In this location the permit can be valid continuously unless otherwise instructed and applicable for general repairs brought into the workshop but not workshop.
Applicable to repairs of structures/pipes, etc. integral to the Only the work specified on the permit should be undertaken.
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 (terminated/cancelled). Maintained until the permit is revoked or “closed”
Anyone who takes 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.
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 2nd Engineer and initialled by all “HOT” workers. The permit shall be “closed” (terminated/cancelled) by either the Chief Engineer or 2nd Engineer.
The person in charge for carrying out these works must sign the permit to indicate their understanding of the safety measures to be followed.
Upon completion, he must notify the issuing supervisor. After that, both must jointly inspect the work site to make sure that the area is safe and does not contain hidden sources of ignition.
A permit can be suspended by ANY crew member who considers the procedure dangerous. This issue 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.
PERMIT CATEGORIES
There are two categories of permits;
HOT WORK PERMIT ( Permit To Work )
Additionally there is an associated check list:-
ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED OR CONFINED SPACES CHECK LIST
HOT WORK ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS
All hot work requires a permit.
The permit, completed in duplicate, must be reviewed by everyone who participates in the planned hot work before the start of work
Everyone who participates in the planned hot work before the start of work.
The permit is NOT VALID if any precaution can not be met at any time during hot work unless the vessel’s superintendent has given specific approval.
