The Permit System

Upon completion of this chapter the student should be able to  

The permit system is mandated under the Process Safety Management standard, the element titled Non-routine Work. There are different permitting systems used by the chemical processing industry. Some permits are developed by a particular plant and apply only to that plant. Each plant may have its own permit system that addresses routine work and maintenance. Some permit systems, however, are required by regulatory agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 

A permit system requires a special document (permit), which acts like a checklist, to be filled out. Usually, the work involves some type of hazard. Personnel involved in the hazardous work must fill out a permit and the permit must be inspected and verified as complete before work can begin. The function of the permit system is to force personnel involved in a hazardous task to take the time to review all the steps, the personal protection equipment (PPE) required, the type of hazard(s) expected, and equipment required to perform the task safely. The permit system also temporarily transfers custody of a piece of equipment. As an example, a unit has a failed pump that must be repaired. This will require the pump to be removed from the process unit and taken to maintenance repair shop for repairs. The permit system places responsibilities on the issuer of the permit (operators) and the recipient of the permit (maintenance personnel). In essence, a permit system is an extra step in the direction of safety and accident prevention. Some of the more common permits are  

Confined spaces Lockout/tagout (LOTO) Hot work Cold work Opening/blinding Radiation Critical lifts Electrical 

There are three permit systems very common to the petrochemical and refining industries because OSHA mandates them. They are confined space, lockout/tagout, and hot work. All process employees—operators, instrument technicians, analyzer technicians, and maintenance personnel—sooner or later participate in a permitting situation. 

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Preparation of Equipment for Maintenance The essential feature of this procedure is a permit-to-work system The operating team members prepare the equipment and write down on the permit the work to be done, the preparation carried out, the remaining hazards, and the precautions necessary. The permit is then accepted by the person or group who will carry out the work and is returned when the work is complete. The permit system will not make maintenance 100 percent safe, but it reduces the chance that hazards will be overlooked, lists ways of controlling them, and informs those doing the job what precautions they should take. The... 

The hazards associated with operations that involve more than one group can be reduced by the use of a permit system. O Driscoll has described the permit systems used in chemical operations many of these (hot work tank entry line breaking disposal operations excavations operation of material handling equipment and vehicles sprinkler-valve closing permit) are of interest in low-temperature plants. They are designed to permit the safe conduct of maintenance and repair functions. The use of written permits with copies to all groups concerned tends to increase the safety of potentially hazardous operations. Also, with use of written instructions, there is less chance for a misunderstanding. 

Administrative controls can be broken down into two broad categories programs and activities. Programs are the written documents that explain how hazards are to be controlled. Activities are the programs put into action. Some of the more common administrative hazard control programs include policies, procedures, and plans. Some of the more common administrative hazard control activities are training, housekeeping, the permit system, and safety inspections and audits. 

A permit system requires a permit before certain types of work can be done. Usually, the work involves some type of hazard. The function of the permit system is to force personnel involved in a hazardous task to take the time to review all the steps, PPE, hazards, and equipment required to perform the task safely. It also is required for change of custody of equipment. 

The permit system is mandated under the Process Management Standard, the element titled. ... 

One technique involves issuing permits to all individuals, including residents, entering a secured area where there is damage. The permit system provides some assurance that only qualified and screened individuals are in the area of damage. The method keeps out curious people and looters. Volunteers must register to assist at a central location before helping with cleanup. 

Too often, phrases such as the following appear in incident investigation reports Did not know the proper procedure was not aware of the requirements of the permit system was put on this job without going... 

Permits As a subject, permit systems is given specific mention in this causation model particularly because of the author s experience. As an example, far too many fires that occur as an outcome of welding, cutting, or burning have resulted in major property damage, personal injury, environmental damage, and business interruption. Either the permit system was inadequate or it was not properly managed. Similar comments apply to other permit systems—such as confined space entry, for example. 

To be effective, the permit system requires the training needs of those involved to be identified and met, and monitoring procedures to ensure that the system is operating as intended. 

The effective operation of the permit system requires the involvement of many people. The following specific responsibilities can be identified ... 

Note all appointments, definitions of work requiring a permit etc must be in writing. All the categories of people identified below should receive training in the operation of the permit system as it affects them.)... 

Specialists must not assume responsibility for the permit system. This lies with the site manager and the senior authorized person. 

The permit system should be applied to sub-contractors in the same way as to direct employees of the main contractor. 

The contractor must be given adequate information and training on the permit system, the restrictions it imposes and the precautions it requires. 

Wherever possible, items requiring hot work should be taken to a safe place in the open, or an exempt area where the permit system does not apply. The need for such an exempt area should have been identified during the project risk assessment. No work involving vessels, pumps, pipe or plant which contain flammable liquids or residues should be done vnthout a permit. 

Farming control impacts is realized depending on the emergency of appearing situations with the use of relative entropy [9] while interpretation of the system s dynamics in the event of movement to the target attractor [12]. As an original condition is adjusted the permitted system s entropy 3pa=l, and limits are in the following form ... 

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