Energy Isolation - Possible Work Flow | AIChE

Energy Isolation - Possible Work Flow

Last updated January 12, 2021 | Element: Possible Work Flow

 

Person In Charge

Responsible for the Operation of the Plant. This is typically a Site Manager whose responsibilities include:

  • Overall responsibility for the execution of the Permit to Work system.
  • Ensuring the system is subject to regular monitoring and auditing.
  • Ensuring competent people are fulfilling the specified roles of the process.
  • Responsible for ensuring the process is properly documented.
  • Ensuring any intended deviations from approved procedures are properly planned and approved by the appropriate Technical Authorities.
  • Ensuring adequate resources (including available staff and contractors) are available to execute the daily workload safely
  • Ensuring on trained and competent personnel to perform hazardous energy control
  • Ensure the facility has a process to verify the absence of energy before starting work

Area Authority

Responsible for managing a Unit or section of the Plant. This is typically the Shift Supervisor whose responsibilities include:

  • Ensuring the planned work activities are executed in a safe and timely manner.
  • Managing all permitted work in the area.
  • Ensuring an appropriate risk assessment or Job Safety Assessment (JSA) for work is carried out and the appropriate control measures are specified and implemented.
  • Approval of isolation design/plans and control of isolation implementation and reinstatement.
  • Ensuring worksite inspections are carried out before, during and after the performance of this task (may be delegated)
  • Ensuring adequate handovers are carried out at shift change
  • Develop, maintain, and update the isolation log. 
  • Managing all simultaneous operations in accordance with company policies.

Isolating Authority - Permit Issuer (Area Operator)

Responsible for isolating specific sections of the plant in accordance with company standards. This is typically the Area Operator whose responsibilities include:

  • Determine hazards by reviewing current drawings, P&IDs, specifications, and by a physical inspection of the work site. This person must determine the valves to be closed or opened, and the electrical switches to be opened, etc., to provide a safe working environment.
  • Designing the isolation plans
  • Obtaining approval of the isolation scheme and permission to take equipment off line and to implement the isolation points.
  • Depressurizing, draining and purging the equipment to ensure it is gas free and safe for line breakage.
  • Implementing isolation points and appropriately labelling them. Securing the isolation points using approved methods (lock and tags).
  • Reviewing the implemented isolation scheme with the Performing Authority and demonstrating energy-free status.
  • Visiting the work site, identifying hazards and necessary controls to be specified on the permit and ensuring all appropriate control measures are in place before work starts and that the worksite is safe for work activities specified in the work permit.
  • May also act as Approved Gas Tester to carry out tests for flammable vapors, toxic gasses and oxygen on all activities including line breakages, hot work and confined space work.
  • Periodic surveillance of the worksite and the ongoing work activities.
  • Removing isolations and returning equipment into service on the plant. Confirm that all worker locks and tags have been removed before the custodial locks and tags are removed.
  • Before the isolation is removed, inform any workers potentially affected by removal of the isolation (even if they were not directly involved in the work)
  • Ensuring the worksite is safe, clean and tidy after the permit has been returned.
  • Note that for electrical isolations, properly certified Responsible Electrical Persons will be required to isolate, label and secure electrical equipment.

Performing Authority (Contractor)

Is the responsible person for the activity being carried out under the authority of the permit. Is a competent person who is appropriately trained, has demonstrated practical skills and is appointed by management to carry out energy isolation. This is typically the person whose responsibilities include:

  • Reviewing the permit, typically in response to a maintenance work order.
  • Visiting the worksite and identifying any hazards which need to be properly controlled during the work task. This activity should be done as a joint walkthrough with the authority issuing the permit.
  • Participating in any risk assessment activity associated with the work task preparations.
  • Installing Lock-Out/Tag-Out devices as required by the isolation plan or procedure, after the locks/tags of the custodian have been installed.
  • Signing for the permit when issued and ensuring that all requirements and instructions of the permit are followed.
  • Receiving briefing instructions for the Area Operator on Process Safety hazards and controls in place including any isolation controls.
  • Conducting a “Toolbox talk” with all assembled work party members. Ensuring they understand the work instructions and the conditions of the Permit. Pointing out specific hazards and identifying how they will be managed for the duration of the work activity. Explaining contingency plans in the event of an emergency. Ensuring all work party members sign onto the work permit.
  • Managing the conduct of the Lock-Out/Tag-Out in accordance with the work order and the permit.
  • In the event of an emergency or a general alarm, ensuring the work ceases immediately. The work site is made safe and that the work party go immediately to their muster point.
  • Ensuring the worksite is maintained in a safe and tidy manner during the work activities and that when the work is complete, the site is cleared of all tools and properly cleaned before the work permit is signed off and returned to the control point.
  • Removing their Lock-Out/Tag-Out devices when work is completed