Page 4 - SWP Access to Hazardous Areas

Fundamental Intent

The intent of this Safe Work Practice (SWP) is to establish a procedure to control entrance into hazardous process
areas within an operating facility. Access control is required by law in many jurisdictions. For example, in the US, the
Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) as part of the regulation for Process Safety Management of
Highly Hazardous Chemicals (1910.119) requires that employers “Shall develop and implement safe work practices to
provide for the control of hazards during operations such as lockout/tagout; confined space entry; opening process
equipment or piping; and control over entrance into a facility by maintenance, contractor, laboratory, or other
support personnel.”
A visitor management procedure for an operating facility enhances security and reduces the probability of incidents
that could result in injury to visitors or plant personnel. Operating companies should establish a procedure to control
entrance into hazardous production and process areas by people who are not specifically trained and authorized
to be in those areas. Control of entrance into hazardous areas applies to company employees as well as third-party
employees. Examples of company employees who fall would be subject to an access procedure include maintenance
planners, laboratory personnel, administrative personnel, and other job functions not specifically authorized for
access into hazardous areas. Examples of third-party employees include contractors, inspectors and regulatory
authorities, water treatment technicians, chemical delivery drivers, other delivery drivers, and technical and engineering
representatives from suppliers. For the purposes of this SWP, all people who are not trained and authorized to be in
hazardous areas will be called “visitors.” The term “visitors” includes company employees and third-party employees as
described above. Security Vulnerability Assessments are outside the scope of this SWP.

1 SAFE WORK PRACTICE, ACCESS TO HAZARDOUS AREAS