Dear Abhay
Nice thread. As mentioned your point no 1 is cleared.
For point no 2 - It is mentioned in Factory Rules of the state. In Gujarat Factory Rules it is mentioned in schedule XIX para 20. Further it is also mentioned in each provision. Eg. in clause 15 (Testing examination and repair of plant and equipment.—) it is mentioned in the end - "Wherever, the responsible person shall regulate the aforesaid work through a permit to work system." Similarly it is mentioned under "work in COnfined spaces" etc.
Please check YOUR state factory rules.
Other questions are well answered by the members.
Requirement of the signature will also depend on your Safety procedures.
For further information on Safety PTW reference may also be taken from OISD-105 on Work Permit System, OSHA and NFPA (NFC).
Types of permit will largely depend upon the nature of business you are into. The PTW system in small unit will differ from that of Mega units / Refineries etc.
Authorization is well explained by Dilip. We have Issuer, Receiver and Area Incharge signatures on all permits during normal work hours. During off-hours / sundays / holidays permit has to be signed by RSM (Highest officiating incharge of complex) and the permit needs to be registered with fire station prior starting of work.
Work permit IS REQUIRED for all type of work including road closure and working at height above 1.5 mts.
Standard system is the one YOU are preparing for your complex and getting the procedure approved. You may take deviation if certain thing is not applicable to you. But preparing of the SOP is required as per Factory's act.
Being the safety professional you need to keep constant vigil on all the permits and even conduct PTW audits. Even if you are not signing the permit, a copy of the permit MUST be with the HSE department, as this will be very helpful during investigation of any incident.
You will further find the answers in detail from NEBOSH study material Unit A4, which I hope Keshav can help.
For further queries you may please get in touch on 09925153646.
Best Regards
Neeraj4all
From India, Mumbai
22Nice thread. As mentioned your point no 1 is cleared.
For point no 2 - It is mentioned in Factory Rules of the state. In Gujarat Factory Rules it is mentioned in schedule XIX para 20. Further it is also mentioned in each provision. Eg. in clause 15 (Testing examination and repair of plant and equipment.—) it is mentioned in the end - "Wherever, the responsible person shall regulate the aforesaid work through a permit to work system." Similarly it is mentioned under "work in COnfined spaces" etc.
Please check YOUR state factory rules.
Other questions are well answered by the members.
Requirement of the signature will also depend on your Safety procedures.
For further information on Safety PTW reference may also be taken from OISD-105 on Work Permit System, OSHA and NFPA (NFC).
Types of permit will largely depend upon the nature of business you are into. The PTW system in small unit will differ from that of Mega units / Refineries etc.
Authorization is well explained by Dilip. We have Issuer, Receiver and Area Incharge signatures on all permits during normal work hours. During off-hours / sundays / holidays permit has to be signed by RSM (Highest officiating incharge of complex) and the permit needs to be registered with fire station prior starting of work.
Work permit IS REQUIRED for all type of work including road closure and working at height above 1.5 mts.
Standard system is the one YOU are preparing for your complex and getting the procedure approved. You may take deviation if certain thing is not applicable to you. But preparing of the SOP is required as per Factory's act.
Being the safety professional you need to keep constant vigil on all the permits and even conduct PTW audits. Even if you are not signing the permit, a copy of the permit MUST be with the HSE department, as this will be very helpful during investigation of any incident.
You will further find the answers in detail from NEBOSH study material Unit A4, which I hope Keshav can help.
For further queries you may please get in touch on 09925153646.
Best Regards
Neeraj4all
From India, Mumbai
@ Neeraj4all
Thanks for the nice explanations and the participation in the thread.
Your answer to question number 2 is that its mentioned under state factory rules.
Is it clearly mention together anywhere - like for the following jobs under so and so condition Work Permit is required. I not found it together.
Like Confined space, it's written that permit work is required, working in fragile roof, etc.
"Work permit IS REQUIRED for all type of work including road closure and working at height above 1.5 mts." - Is this sentance from the Factory Rules?
Hope you will guide.
Regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
Thanks for the nice explanations and the participation in the thread.
Your answer to question number 2 is that its mentioned under state factory rules.
Is it clearly mention together anywhere - like for the following jobs under so and so condition Work Permit is required. I not found it together.
Like Confined space, it's written that permit work is required, working in fragile roof, etc.
"Work permit IS REQUIRED for all type of work including road closure and working at height above 1.5 mts." - Is this sentance from the Factory Rules?
Hope you will guide.
Regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
Dear Friends,
Mr.Abhay's second question is answered as below :
2. As per factory act-1948 where is the mentioned it's types & use
Work permit is not mentioned any where in Indian Factories act. In case it is necessary it will be included only in Factory Rules. After Bhopal a few states have already included work permit system mainly focusing on chemical accidents.
Safety Work Permit system is only a tool to ensure safe performance at potentially hazardous jobs. All those tools necessary to carry out the work safely need not be spelled out in statutory requirements. If you can otherwise ensure safety of workers you need not have to bother about permit system. Factories Act, 7A.General duty clause indirectly says you have to ensure provisions, arrangements, instructions, training, supervision, monitoring and all other foreseeable elements for safety. Understand the spirit of it and you will find a permit system is the best remedy not only to ensure safety but also ensure indemnity.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
Mr.Abhay's second question is answered as below :
2. As per factory act-1948 where is the mentioned it's types & use
Work permit is not mentioned any where in Indian Factories act. In case it is necessary it will be included only in Factory Rules. After Bhopal a few states have already included work permit system mainly focusing on chemical accidents.
Safety Work Permit system is only a tool to ensure safe performance at potentially hazardous jobs. All those tools necessary to carry out the work safely need not be spelled out in statutory requirements. If you can otherwise ensure safety of workers you need not have to bother about permit system. Factories Act, 7A.General duty clause indirectly says you have to ensure provisions, arrangements, instructions, training, supervision, monitoring and all other foreseeable elements for safety. Understand the spirit of it and you will find a permit system is the best remedy not only to ensure safety but also ensure indemnity.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
1.Normally, a Work Permit is used to ensure that all safety precautions have been taken to ensure that potentially hazardous or non routine jobs are carried out safely. For extremely hazardous work such as confined spaces, heavy lifts, etc., a Job Safey Analysis is carried out and the precautions listed are either included in the Work Permit or the JSA is attached to the work permit.
2.The other key point to remember in Work Permits is that approval signatures are not the end all but it is important that supervisors brief the workers on the job after the signatures have been obtained. This becomes a reminder to the workers on the precautions to be taken. supervisors then have to monitor that the precautions are applied throughout the work process.
3. In my experience regarding routine jobs, I have found that Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are used but these are written by people in the office. Some of these cover routine hazardous work but no permit is used. To overcome this, I normally tell participants in my training sessions that I recommend they do a JSA on the critical routine activities & convert them into SSOP (safe standard operating procedure).
The last point was to share some expeiences.
Regards
Gopi
From Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
2.The other key point to remember in Work Permits is that approval signatures are not the end all but it is important that supervisors brief the workers on the job after the signatures have been obtained. This becomes a reminder to the workers on the precautions to be taken. supervisors then have to monitor that the precautions are applied throughout the work process.
3. In my experience regarding routine jobs, I have found that Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are used but these are written by people in the office. Some of these cover routine hazardous work but no permit is used. To overcome this, I normally tell participants in my training sessions that I recommend they do a JSA on the critical routine activities & convert them into SSOP (safe standard operating procedure).
The last point was to share some expeiences.
Regards
Gopi
From Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
Dear Dilip
The sentence is not from Factory Rules. Keshav has correctly said that this is not mentioned in Factory's act but in Factory rules. Please give the factory rules applicable to you may be then I can be of little help.
As Gopinadhan has said - yes it is reponsibility of employer to ensure safety of workers / employees and have given example of best practice followed.
The system that I have maintained here is - Every workpermit needs to have TBRA (Task base Risk assessment) sheet attached. We believe that accidents are preventable and risk is involved in each work. After permit is issued - TBT (tool box talk) is given to all the contractor staff as per TBRA which updates the workers on possible hazards of the work they are going to perform. After that our officer is has to essentially go to all work location to ispect and fill in SAR (Safe at Risk) checksheet to ensure that behavorial aspect of the safety is ensured.
I thank in this forum to all who are actively participating and specially to Mr.Gopi who has also started to give inputs for best practices - which can be incorporated in the readers company too and making this a safer place.
From India, Mumbai
The sentence is not from Factory Rules. Keshav has correctly said that this is not mentioned in Factory's act but in Factory rules. Please give the factory rules applicable to you may be then I can be of little help.
As Gopinadhan has said - yes it is reponsibility of employer to ensure safety of workers / employees and have given example of best practice followed.
The system that I have maintained here is - Every workpermit needs to have TBRA (Task base Risk assessment) sheet attached. We believe that accidents are preventable and risk is involved in each work. After permit is issued - TBT (tool box talk) is given to all the contractor staff as per TBRA which updates the workers on possible hazards of the work they are going to perform. After that our officer is has to essentially go to all work location to ispect and fill in SAR (Safe at Risk) checksheet to ensure that behavorial aspect of the safety is ensured.
I thank in this forum to all who are actively participating and specially to Mr.Gopi who has also started to give inputs for best practices - which can be incorporated in the readers company too and making this a safer place.
From India, Mumbai
@ Neeraj
Thanks for your comments and share the good practices adopted.
What we are doing in our plant is that for each and every new job we are making Safe Work Procedure (SWP) and issuing the same with required work permit to the contractors. Tool Box Talks are regular in each section in which the supervisor/engineer explaining the possible hazards and preventive measures to be taken.
Rajasthan Factory Rules is applicable to us and if you having soft copy of the same, please share with me.
Regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
Thanks for your comments and share the good practices adopted.
What we are doing in our plant is that for each and every new job we are making Safe Work Procedure (SWP) and issuing the same with required work permit to the contractors. Tool Box Talks are regular in each section in which the supervisor/engineer explaining the possible hazards and preventive measures to be taken.
Rajasthan Factory Rules is applicable to us and if you having soft copy of the same, please share with me.
Regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
Dear Friends,
Answering the 3rd question :-
There is no hard and fast rules. You may make your own forms, in your own style, color shape and as many copies as you want.
As a minimum it must have the contents (Parameters) as below :-
( Information on hazards
Instructions to ensure safety.
People responsible for safety
Proprietor’s consent guaranteeing safety at the place/equipment
Provide instructions/information to that effect.
Executors accepting that responsibility in adhering to instructions and limitations
stipulated.
Provide written instructions and documentary evidence.
Making it a document of consent between the proprietor and the executor)
BASIC INFORMATION
On top of permit issuer must write basic information such as
Date, Duration of work, exact area or plant where work will be conducted, exact work location, work to be done, equipments to be used at the site,
A CHECK LIST SECTION
Check list section verifies if a joint site inspection was done, how equipment must be prepared for work, what protective equipment is required, and if a fire watch or stand by man is required etc.
ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS
Additional precautions section is used to list precautions not included in the check list section.
GAS TEST
In this section the certified gas tester records his test readings using a three in one gas monitor where required.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Issuer’s signature Receivers signature
Extending or closing details of the permit ..
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
Answering the 3rd question :-
There is no hard and fast rules. You may make your own forms, in your own style, color shape and as many copies as you want.
As a minimum it must have the contents (Parameters) as below :-
( Information on hazards
Instructions to ensure safety.
People responsible for safety
Proprietor’s consent guaranteeing safety at the place/equipment
Provide instructions/information to that effect.
Executors accepting that responsibility in adhering to instructions and limitations
stipulated.
Provide written instructions and documentary evidence.
Making it a document of consent between the proprietor and the executor)
BASIC INFORMATION
On top of permit issuer must write basic information such as
Date, Duration of work, exact area or plant where work will be conducted, exact work location, work to be done, equipments to be used at the site,
A CHECK LIST SECTION
Check list section verifies if a joint site inspection was done, how equipment must be prepared for work, what protective equipment is required, and if a fire watch or stand by man is required etc.
ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS
Additional precautions section is used to list precautions not included in the check list section.
GAS TEST
In this section the certified gas tester records his test readings using a three in one gas monitor where required.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Issuer’s signature Receivers signature
Extending or closing details of the permit ..
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
Dear Abhay,
Regret the late reply.
4. Is work permit required sign of safety officer ( if one safety officer is in org. then what to do if he is on leave).
It is a controversial question.
Permit is to be signed only by the competent person. For safety Competent Person means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings, or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has absolute authority, responsibility and accountability to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. This is the one person who manages the affairs of the section. Normally the supervisor/Foreman/ Department heads/Engineers/Managers and so on.
Poor fellow – “the safety officer” is he having the absolute control over the affairs of the department? The answer is “NO” and as such please leave him. He can not issue a permit to work in an area which is not absolutely under his control.
But to make sure that the SO is aware and monitoring every permit work
he can be made a co-signatory. He can also be made responsible to endorse any additional safety precautions but he can never issue a permit of his own.
5. For routine maint. work permit is required? any sample format?
Imagine electrical people working on routine maintenance work on power lines or some one working on a conveyor at a remote corner far away from controls!
If absolute safety can not be assured with normal work procedures “YES” -even routine maintenance work definitely requires permit.
6. Who is authorized person to sign. the permit as per Standard system.
Only the competent authority who has absolute authority/responsibility/accountability at the location.
Hope these gives you desired clarification.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
Regret the late reply.
4. Is work permit required sign of safety officer ( if one safety officer is in org. then what to do if he is on leave).
It is a controversial question.
Permit is to be signed only by the competent person. For safety Competent Person means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings, or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has absolute authority, responsibility and accountability to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. This is the one person who manages the affairs of the section. Normally the supervisor/Foreman/ Department heads/Engineers/Managers and so on.
Poor fellow – “the safety officer” is he having the absolute control over the affairs of the department? The answer is “NO” and as such please leave him. He can not issue a permit to work in an area which is not absolutely under his control.
But to make sure that the SO is aware and monitoring every permit work
he can be made a co-signatory. He can also be made responsible to endorse any additional safety precautions but he can never issue a permit of his own.
5. For routine maint. work permit is required? any sample format?
Imagine electrical people working on routine maintenance work on power lines or some one working on a conveyor at a remote corner far away from controls!
If absolute safety can not be assured with normal work procedures “YES” -even routine maintenance work definitely requires permit.
6. Who is authorized person to sign. the permit as per Standard system.
Only the competent authority who has absolute authority/responsibility/accountability at the location.
Hope these gives you desired clarification.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
@ Kesav Sir
I was just waiting to read your answer against the question No:4... Thanks for the same and now I can also refer your wordings to anyone who is insisting the sign of safety officer sign in work permit...
@ Neeraj4all
Thanks a lot for posting the entire standard...
I hope now if anyone goes through this thread regarding Work Permit, no need to refer anything else... All is here... Standard, Procedure, Training Material, FAQ..., Etc...
Thanks to all for a great participation and maikng this setion alive and expecting the same in future...
Regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
I was just waiting to read your answer against the question No:4... Thanks for the same and now I can also refer your wordings to anyone who is insisting the sign of safety officer sign in work permit...
@ Neeraj4all
Thanks a lot for posting the entire standard...
I hope now if anyone goes through this thread regarding Work Permit, no need to refer anything else... All is here... Standard, Procedure, Training Material, FAQ..., Etc...
Thanks to all for a great participation and maikng this setion alive and expecting the same in future...
Regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
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