Page 15 - Energy Isolation - CCPS Safe Work Practice

Possible Work Flow

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:
g 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.
g Designing the isolation plans.
g Obtaining approval of the isolation scheme and permission to take equipment offline and
to implement the isolation points.
g Depressurizing, draining, and purging the equipment to ensure it is free from material
(gas, liquid, etc.) and energy, and safe for line breakage.
g Implementing isolation points and appropriately labelling them. Securing the isolation points
using approved methods (locks and tags).

g Reviewing the implemented isolation scheme with the Performing Authority and demonstrating
energy-free status.
g 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.
g 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.
g Periodic surveillance of the worksite and the ongoing work activities.
g Removing isolations and returning equipment into service in the plant. Confirm that all
worker locks and tags have been removed before the custodial locks and tags are removed.
g 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).
g Ensuring the worksite is safe, clean, and tidy after the permit has been returned.
g Note that for electrical isolations, properly certified Responsible Electrical Persons
will be required to isolate, label and secure electrical equipment.

2022 ENERGY ISOLATION: LOCK OUT / TAG OUT 15