Australian Offshore Support Vessel Code of Safe Working Practice

APPENDIX C

APPENDIX C: WORK PERMIT GUIDELINES

WORK PERMIT PROCEDURES ON OFFSHORE
INSTALLATIONS/SUPPORT VESSELS
C1 The intention of this Appendix is to identify those areas of work on an offshore
support vessel which should be covered by a work permit system and the
clarification of administrative procedures which should apply.
C2 Regulations in force under the new ‘Safety Case’ legislation require that all work
activities which may present a particular hazard be controlled by a work permit
system. The aim of the system is to ensure the personal safety of those doing the
work, to ensure that the safety of other persons is not endangered by the work being
done and to ensure the overall safety and integrity of the installation or vessel.
C3 The types of work activity which may require a work permit include, but are not
necessarily limited to:
(a) hot work of any type (where heat is used or generated, for example by
welding, flame cutting, grinding, etc.);
(b) work which may generate incendive sparks or other sources of ignition;
(c) work which may cause an unintended or uncontrolled hydrocarbon release,
including any disconnection or opening of any closed pipeline, vessel or
equipment containing, or which has contained, flammable or toxic
materials;
(d) electrical work which may cause danger;
(e) entry into confined spaces;
(f) work at any place on the vessel from which any person will be liable to fall
into the sea or a distance of more than two metres;
(g) work involving the use of dangerous substances;
(h) work, the safe performance of which requires the isolation of water, oil,
steam, compressed air or other piping, or which requires the isolation of
electrical circuits.
C4 It should be noted that:
(i) not all work of the above types necessarily requires a work permit;
whether it does or not is a matter for the Master using the particular
company Work Permit structure.
(ii) conversely, the circumstances of some work of a different type might
call for the issue of a work permit.
C5 It is an essential element of any work permit system that an appropriate person
should co-ordinate and control the issuing, return and close out of work permits.
That person, on a support vessel, would normally be the Master as he is in a position
to take an overview of all operations underway and planned for the vessel in order
that potential hazards are not compounded by each other. It is the responsibility of

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the Master to ensure this co-ordination and control either by undertaking this
function himself or by appointing an appropriate person to carry it out on his behalf.
C6 Administrative responsibilities for operating the work permit system should be:
(a) The owner of the vessel must provide written guidance specifying work
permit procedures and must ensure that:
(i) work permit procedures are established and maintained;
(ii) work permit procedures are explained to all personnel involved in
their operation;
(iii) appropriate training in work permit procedures is given to all
personnel with responsibilities for operating the procedures;
(iv) day to day operation of the work permit procedures on the vessel is
monitored regularly to ensure that the procedures are being correctly
carried out;
(v) work permit procedures are reviewed regularly to assess their
effectiveness, and amended and updated as necessary;
(vi) records of all work permits issued, suspended and executed are
retained in a safe place on board for a period of at least twelve
months from the date of issue;
(b) The Master must ensure that:
(i) all work requiring work permits is identified;
(ii) work permits for work activities that may interact are cross-
referenced effectively
(iii) all other work, which if undertaken concurrently would adversely
affect safety, is suspended;
(iv) limitations on the timing and scope of the work are defined;
(v) all personnel engaged in the preparation of work permits,
supervision of, and performance of the work are identified;
(vi) effectiveness of the operation of work permit procedures is not
impaired by shift/watch handovers and information is communicated
to the incoming shifts in a timely manner about work for which there
is a work permit and which has not been completed before the shift
ends.
(c) The responsible person must ensure that:
(i) the work site has been examined, and all precautions, including
isolation, which should be taken before the work can commence,
have been actioned and will remain effective during the period that
the work permit remains in force;
(ii) the work permit specifies if necessary how the work should be
suspended and resumed;
(iii) the work site, including any isolations specified in the permit, is
examined at the time of suspension of the work and prior to its

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resumption and finally when the work is completed to ascertain that

the work site is in a safe condition; and
(iv) the Master or his named representative is notified of the suspension
or completion of the work and any other fact relevant to safety.
(d) The supervisor and those performing the work must:
(i) start or recommence work only when given a work permit to do so;
(ii) satisfy themselves that they fully understand the instructions they
have been given and that all equipment necessary to carry out the
work safely and in accordance with the work permit is available;
(iii) comply with the instructions given;
(iv) notify the responsible person immediately on suspension or
completion of the work and of any fact relevant to safety.
C7 There should be a requirement that work permit procedures should be used whenever
the methods by which particular jobs are done are, or may be, critical to the safety of
those directly involved, other personnel nearby, or the vessel itself.

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