WORK

PERMIT

WHY WORK PERMIT?

Petroleum Refinery handles
Hydrocarbons and toxic materials - poses
special risks.
Personnel are not adequately familiar
with process conditions.
Operation will determine that it is safe to
perform the designated job.
Basic purpose of permit system is to
prevent injuries to personnel.

 Protect property from damage

Avoid fire
Ensure that all work is carried out in
safest possible manner.
permit specifies the conditions and
procedure for safe execution.

WORK PERMIT
REQUIRMENT
Permit is required for the following jobs :
Major & Minor Maint. work.
Inspection.
Construction.
Alteration.
Process Equip. cleaning
Entry into confined space.
Excavation
Vehicle entry into hazardous areas
etc.

WORKS - PERMIT NOT

REQUIRED
Works carried out by operation
department as a part of routine
operation.
FIRE STATION
FIRE TRAINING GROUND

BLANKET PERMIT
SIX MONTHS BASIS / MAX I YEAR
WORK SHOP
INSTRUMENT LAB/WORKSHOP
LABORATORY
INSPECTION

FEATURES OF WORK PERMIT

FORM
Work Permit form generally consists of the
following features:

THE ORIGINIAL AND COPIES

Original is unmarked and belongs to
Executing Authority-pink copy
Printed serial number

FORM NO. BR: F&S:FR:...

PROCEDURE FOR WORK PERMIT

SYSTEM(WPS)
HOT WORKPERMIT
EXECUTOR TO INITIATE THE FIRE PERMITDUATION,LOCATION, EQUP.TAG NO., NATURE OF
WORK, NAME & SIGNATURE. ECECUTOR NOT
LESS THAN A GRADE OFFICER
HSE PERSONNEL TO CHECK THE PERMIT,
EVALUATE THE RISK,TICK ITEMS AS APPLICABLE,
SPECIAL INSTRUCTION IN SPACE PROVIDED IN
PERMIT TO PREPARE THE AREA /EQUIPMENT TO
CARRY OUT THE HOT WORK.

PROCEDURE FOR WORK PERMIT

SYSTEM

HOT WORKPERMIT
FPS AFTER GOING THROUGH LOG BOOK
,ACCOMPANIED BY GSI & EXECUTOR INSPECT THE
AREA, SATISFY HIMSELF WITH PREPARTIONS AND
THEN SIGN THE PERMIT.
PERMIT TO BE RECEIVED BY EXECUTOR BY
SIGNING.
REGISTRATION AT FIRE STATION.
PINK COPY FOR EXECUTOR/ WHITE FOR ISSUER
ISSUER REPRESENTATIVE-SHIFT PNE/SPNE/SPUE TO
CARRY OUT GAS TEST, INSPECT THE AREA, ENSURE
COMPLIANCE OF ALL SAFETY PRECAUTION GIVEN
IN PERMIT , THEN ISSUE CLEARENCE CERTIFICATE
TO START THE JOB.

VALIDITY OF HOT WORK PERMIT

HOT WORK PERMIT

NORMAL 8 HOURS( 8AM-5 PM). BEYOND 5 PM
RENEWABLE AFTER AUTHORISATION FROM
HOD.RENEW AT FIRE STATION ON EXTENSION.
NORMAL HOT JOBS IN NIGHT SHIFT NOT ALLOWED
UNLESS JOB IS URGENT, PERMISSION FROM HOD
REQD.
FOR EACH LOCATION/EQUIPMENT SEPARATE HOT
WORK PERMIT REQUIRED IN PROCESS UNITS
IN OFFSITE:DISTANCE EXCEEDING 15 METERS,
SEPARATE FIRE PERMIT.

WHO CAN SIGN A WORK PERMIT

Personnel who are authorized to sign
on the Work Permit shall have
thorough knowledge of the work to
be performed and the conditions
under which the work will be
performed.

ISSUING AUTHORITY OF WORK

PERMIT
Issuing authority is responsible for preparation
and handing over of the equipment in safe
condition to perform the work.
Authority to issue all types of work permits is
generally granted to shift supervisor(PNE/SPNE,
UTE,ELE) level of OFFICERS and above.

EXECUTING AUTHORITY OF
WORK PERMIT
Request for a work permit by
executing authority. He shall
indicate types of tools and
equipment necessary for
performing the work.
He shall also ensure his tools,
equipment and accessories are in
good condition and all his workers
are provided with proper PPE.

PREPARATION OF THE EQUIPMENT

Equipment electrically isolated
Inspection tested(for cold & hot job)
Isolated from steam,air & gas
Depressurized
Drained
Positively isolated/blinded
Steamed & water flushed

PREPARATION OF EQUIP.

CONTD.

Ventilated & gas freed

Continuous inert gas flow / continuous adequate
ventilation arranged.
Vehicle/equipment in good condition with spark
arrested
Radiation source removed(Confined space entry)

RESIDUAL HAZARDS
Lack of oxygen
H2S and/or any other toxic gases
Combustible gases
Corrosive chemicals
Steam / Condensate
Pyrophoric iron
High humidity

PROTECTION MEASURES
Protective clothing
Hearing protection
Safety Harness
Eye protection
Face protection
Respiratory protection
Keep fire equipment stand-by

PROTECTIVE MEASURES

CONTD.

Barricade the area

Remove flammable and combustible
Cover with fire retardant tarpaulin
Crane with basket stand-by
Attendance with Airline set
keep man ways open
Allow minimum possible no. of persons inside confined
space

PROTECTIVE MEASURES
CONTD.
To ensure positive isolation & maintain it all through
Ensure adequate ventilation all through
Display copy of entry permit near entry manhole

GAS TEST FOR WORK PERMIT

Why gas test is required ?
Most of the gases are unwanted
Hazards involved -

Flammability(Fire & Explosion)

Toxicity(health hazard)
Oxygen Deficiency

WORKS NEED GAS TEST

Gas tests are required for all hot
work/vehicle entry and confined
space entry permits & some cold
permits also.
Issuing authority shall determine
the requirement of gas test &
frequency of re-checking.
Trained Gas tester only shall carry
out the test.

ELECTRICAL ISOLATION
Before issuing a Work Permit, it is
essential to ensure that the equipment
/ facility to be worked on is electrically
safe and electrical power is isolated to
the extent necessary for the safe
conduct of the authorized work.
Issuing, Executing authorities and
Electrical Maintenance shall jointly
decide the extent of isolation required.

 DO NOT OPERATE tag shall be

used when isolation by local switch
is decided as adequate protection.
Multi-lock systems to be used when
different crafts are involved.(this is
towards best safety practices)

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR

HOT WORK
The person who authorizes the Hot
Work Permit is responsible for ensuring
that the site and the equipment are
properly prepared to prevent the
danger of fire & explosion involving
flammable material.
The equipment shall be emptied and
cleaned of flammable materials and
isolated from sources of hydrocarbons
by means of disconnection, blanking or
insertion of blinds.

 Equipment and surrounding areas shall

be checked to ensure that they are free
from any combustible gas.Carry out gas
test.
Any heavy oil deposit, dried vegetation
or other flammable / combustible
materials within 8 m of a hot work site
shall be cleared away.
No hot work shall be allowed within a
radius of 15 m of any sample point,
drain or relief valve outlet unless
precautions have been taken to prevent
the escape of flammable liquids and
vapors.

 The outlet of all units drain seals within

15 m of the hot work shall be plugged.
If welding or grinding is to be done at
height, then precautions shall be taken
to prevent the spread of sparks and
molten metal to the surrounding of the
work area with fire-resisting or flameretarding tarpaulin.
A hose capable of reaching up to the
hot work point and connected to fire
water main.
Fire Station shall be informed of hot
work.

VEHICLE ENTRY
A Hot Work / Vehicle Entry Permit is
required for entry of all vehicles in
hazardous areas. Such areas shall be
clearly demarcated with signs indicating
No Entry without Vehicle Entry Permit
and/or with removable chain.
The signatory authorities shall ensure
that all vehicles / equipment exhaust are
equipped with spark arrestors of
approved type.
Entry shall only be allowed for loading
and unloading of materials and not for
passenger transport.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CONFINED

SPACE ENTRY
The process vessel / equipment is to
be positively isolated by blinding.
Shall be made safe for entry by
depressurizing, venting, draining,
steaming, washing and ventilating.
Radiation sources ,if any, shall be
removed.
The atmosphere within the confined
space shall be checked initially and
periodically(gas test).

SUSPENSION OF WORK PERMIT

All work shall immediately stop when a fire or
emergency alarm is sounded or accident of any
kind occurs. Approval from the F&S shall be
obtained after necessary preliminary
investigations, to resume such work.
The Work Permit shall be revalidated to resume
the work.

VALIDITY OF PERMIT
Work permit shall be initially issued for a period
of 8 hrs. and shall be renewed for one more shift
.
On need basis , permit can be given for max. 7
days period.
Clearance to be obtained every shift.
Clearance to be given after physically checking
the site.

CLOSING AND FILING OF USED

WORK PERMITS
Permit Closure: Duly filled and
signed by both executing & issuing
authority at completion of work
Copies of the closed permits shall be
properly filed and kept with the
respective disciplines for at least
one month from the date of
issue/closure. Different types of
permits shall be filed separately in
chronological order in box files.

BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF
ISSUING AUTHORITY
To prepare the equipment and properly tick the
checklist items
To identify & indicate any residual hazard
To advise on protective measures & mention
To carry out gas test wherever reqd. and enter the
result with sign,date & time

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ISSUING
AUTHORITY CONTD.
To discuss & explain with/to executing authority
Carry out electrical isolation whenever reqd.
Close the permit when the job is complete or end of
permit duration, which one is earlier.
To preserve the permit for next one month.

BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF
EXECUTING AUTHORITY
To clearly understand the conditions of the equipment
and residual hazards
To discuss the above with issuing authority and decide
upon the protective measures.
To describe the job and associated hazards to the
workmen
To ensure that safe procedure of execution are being
followed

RESPONSIBILITIES OF EXECUTING
AUTHORITY
To check all the hand tools / devices /equipment and
ensure that they are healthy
To make the permit available at work site all the time
To close the permit when the job is over or at the end
of permit duration which one is earlier.