Don Chiodi, Peter Zavon Why are we here? The company requires evaluation of very hazardous, nonroutine jobs for which there are no Safe Job Procedures or approved Job Safety Plans. Certain jobs always require that a Safe Work Permit be issued by a qualified individual. Goals and Objectives: At the end of this session you will:
There are currently three documents which are called "safe work permits."
The Hot Work Permit is a form of Safe Work Permit issued by the Fire Marshal or other person responsible for fire safety. This permit is required for all situations which may result in fires or explosions.
Location and description
of confined space: Requirements
Confined Space Entry Permits and Hot Work Permits will be discussed in detail in other training sessions.
The objective of the Safe Work Permit system is to identify hazards associated with a nonroutine job, and to develop precautions required to control each hazard identified. Lets begin with a look at the hazards associated with specific jobs, and examine how Safe Work Permits can help to prevent them from causing damage or injury. Examples of jobs requiring permits are:
Excavations
can result in:
rupture of high pressure hydraulic lines used on backhoes, shovels, and drills. excessive noise from concrete breaking and cutting equipment, and collapse of excavation walls and piles due to poorly secured soil, sudden weather changes, or other factors. Permits are written to ensure that necessary equipment is present and in good working order.
Excavations:
The consequence of damaged service lines is often complete shutdown of operations resulting in major business losses. Permits are written to prevent damage to underground equipment and services.
Excavations may expose hazardous materials, which have leaked and are contaminating the soil. Permits ensure that procedures to protect workers from exposure to toxic substances have been identified.
Blasting can cause damage to adjacent operations and personnel. Permits are issued to ensure procedures are followed that prevent injury to neighboring facilities, equipment and employees. Internal combustion engines produce poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen. Permits ensure that procedures are followed that will prevent equipment emissions from contaminating air inside buildings and confined spaces.
Unauthorized use of company equipment can result in lost production and injury to untrained operators. Permits prevent company equipment from being taken by contractors without the permission of area management, and require verification of equipment operator training.
Work which ordinarily does not require safe work permits may be included at the discretion of the Safety Representative, the Contractor, or the Contract Administrator.
Following are examples of situations which may require discretionary safe work permits. There could be many others:
Movement of large pieces of equipment, especially while other personnel are working nearby, can result in employee injury. Permits may be issued to ensure the use of procedures that will prevent employee injury from falling material, or being struck by rigging equipment.
Boilers, high pressure vessels, tanks, and reactors can undergo sudden failure resulting in disastrous consequences. Permits may be issued requiring precautions and equipment to prevent system failures not covered by safe job procedures or project safety plans. Permits may be required where the consequence of noncompliance with fall protection requirements is severe, or where dropped materials may endanger other workers below.
Permits are mandatory where signs are posted which require them.
Permits are issued:
Permits must be reviewed and signed by:
Workers must be informed of required emergency procedures, location and operation of emergency equipment,and area inherent hazards. Material Safety Data Sheets must be supplied and special precautions reviewed with workers and their supervision.
Required special precautions must be clearly indicated and communicated to workers, and their supervision. It is the safety representatives responsibility to determine if and when special measures are required.
Personal protective equipment and other safety equipment required is specified. For each hazard present at the work site, the safety representative must specify a hazard control.
The safety representative must verify that all underground utilities have been located and staked out. Provisions must be made to barricade the open trench, prevent collapse of trench walls, provide employees with a means of exit, reroute ground water, and all other requirements of excavating. If soil is contaminated, the safety representative will ask for a written safety and health plan. SUMMARY
Where to Get Help? Your supervisor is responsible for providing equipment necessary to comply with Safe Work Permit requirements. The safety representative is responsible for completing the job hazard analysis and issuing the permit.
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