IMS9.4.6.7 Isolation and Lockout Procedure

1.0   PURPOSE

To ensure that SeaLink has a procedure to ensure the safety of personnel engaged in activities, which would otherwise place them at risk of injury through electric shock, movement of mechanical components, or exposure to hazardous energy sources or contaminants.

2.0   SCOPE

It must encompass SeaLink employees, Contractors, Sub-Contractors and Visitors.

These Procedures apply to:

• All work areas of the Company or other areas in which Company personnel may be required to work.
• All items of machinery / equipment and process areas where personnel may be exposed to the risk of injury from machinery / equipment, chemical, biological or other energy / hazard sources.
• The isolation of energy sources applicable to fixed and mobile plant, and ancillary equipment.
• Where there is an identified need to have the relevant system energised for testing or commissioning. However the responsible person must ensure that all possible measures are to be taken to ensure that all possible risks are minimized and the relevant safety procedures are in place. These include Commissioning Procedures, Risk Assessments, Job Safety & Environmental Analysis or Safe Work Procedures.
• This procedure DOES NOT apply to High Voltage isolations (above 1000V AC)

3.0   REFERENCES

• QLD WH&S Act 2011 & Regulations 2011
• Dept. NRM Guidance Notes – Isolating Procedures
• AS. 4801 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.
• Qld Fire and Rescue Act
• AS. 3745 Emergency Control Organisation and Procedures for Buildings

4.0   DEFINITIONS

Company - SeaLink.

Must - mandatory.

Should - Highly desirable but not mandatory.

Area Authority - A person who has authority over and responsibility for equipment/ machinery.

Authorised Isolator -A person who has been trained and deemed competent in the isolation of:

• Electrical equipment up to 1000v AC particularly in a motor control centre (MCC)
• Other equipment including valves drains etc.
• The processes that require isolation in a plant.

Energy Source –

Any source which is capable of:

• Activating or moving equipment, combustion engines, compressed gases, compressed springs, electricity, hydraulic fluids under pressure, conveyors, liquid, solid or gaseous fuels, mechanical drives, radiation sources, raised equipment, reagents, steam or air under pressure, water under pressure, any conveyed hazardous substance and/ or bio-hazard and any other energy sources.

Equipment - Any combination of electrical and or mechanical apparatus both fixed and mobile.    

Hazard Source - Any source of potential hazard to personnel, including sewerage systems, fuel systems, electrical and/ or mechanical equipment, hydraulic systems including water, compressed air/ steam or any live/ stored energy system.

Hot Work - Welding, thermal or oxygen cutting, heating, grinding and other fire or spark producing operations. A Hot Work permit may not be required in certain areas designated as “Hot Work Area” or workshop areas i.e. Boilermakers Workshops / Mechanical Workshops.

Isolated - For electrical equipment isolated means disconnected from all sources of electrical energy supply, by switching off and or removal of connections.  A visible air break must be provided wherever possible.  For mechanical and fluid equipment ‘isolated’ means cut off from energy sources by gates, valves, linkages and or other means which must prevent the equipment from being activated.

Isolation Procedure Sheet - This is a written and or diagrammatic instruction sheet giving details of the position of, type of and how to prepare the standard isolation for a designated piece of equipment.

Lockout - An isolation point is deemed to be Locked Out of service when an approved padlock is attached so that the device cannot be returned to service without prior removal of the padlock.

Out Of Service Tag - An Out of Service or Caution Tag used to identify and prohibit the use of faulty or unsafe equipment. These tags do not replace appropriate “Lockout” procedures and must not, on their own be relied upon and used where personnel are working on or near isolated equipment/machinery.

Permit Authority - A person assessed as competent and authorised in writing to undertake specific tasks.  (Eg. place locks and tags on isolating equipment, preparing Safe Work Permits etc.) A register of current Permit Authorities is to be maintained in each workplace.

Permit Holder - A person to whom the permit has been issued.

Personal Danger Tag - A Personal Danger Tag attached to a personal lock, which is used to identify an individual and to indicate the presence of the lock at an Isolation Point.

Personal Lock - A padlock issued and traceable to an individual via a key and lock register. Issued as a personal safety device and used to prevent the operation of an Isolation Point.

Primary Isolation Point - The main point at which an energy sources or other hazardous sources are physically interrupted by an approved isolating device.  (Switch, Circuit Breaker, Valve, Plug, etc.)

Responsible Person - Responsible Person encompasses any person responsible for the isolation and who, by statutory authority, and/or by way of being trained and deemed competent in the appropriate skills required of the particular type of isolation. These include Authorised Isolators, Licensed Electricians, Supervisors, Permit Holders or Permit Authority’s.

Safe - Equipment or processes PROVEN to be isolated from an energy source, or hazard source.  For electrical equipment isolated at earth potential.  For mechanical equipment isolated and at atmospheric pressure, with springs discharged, weights at zero potential energy or any other energy source at zero potential and unable to be activated.  For all other hazard sources, isolated to prevent movement of parts or components or contents e.g. plugs in sewer lines.

Safety Lockout Hasps - Scissor Clip - A device used to allow multiple locks to be attached at a Primary Isolation Point.

Supervising Authority - Must be the person ultimately responsible of the plant to be worked on.

5.0   REQUIREMENTS

5.1   Note:    

A number of client organisations have their own isolation procedures for either mechanical or electrical purposes, or both. Company employees must cooperate with all clients Isolation and Lockout procedures particularly when establishing those persons who are responsible for authorising Isolations or Shutdowns.

5.2   Several lockout  / tag out systems have been identified as:

• Personal Isolation Lockout  / Tag out systems,
• Group Isolation Lockout  / Tag out systems and
• Permit to Work Systems. (Includes tag only system)
• Permit to Work Systems are similar to Group Isolation systems, the differences being:
• They may be used for both small as well as large numbers.
• There is no central lock-box. Each worker applies a Lock / Tag to each individual isolation points.
• The Permit to Work System should also be used where there is no provision for Lockouts to be utilised and the system relies only on Danger Tags.

5.3   The Personal Isolation Lock Out / Tag Out system is designed to achieve:

a)       That all Primary Isolation Points for equipment required for work, maintenance, inspections, and other activities are correctly identified, isolated, tested safe and to ensure individual safety by providing a personal lockout point for each person working on the equipment.

b)       Prevent injury to people working on and around equipment, which could result from equipment starting or operating and from other energy sources.

c)       Provide the basic requirements to achieve the correct and safe isolation of equipment including safety equipment and precautions.

5.4   The Personal Lock Out / Tag Out system does not cover High Voltage Access and Switching.

5.5   The procedures for this are covered in the Safe Work Near Exposed Live Parts – Code of Practice, and in consultation with ERGON Energy, or site-specific HV Isolation procedures.

5.6   The Personal Lockout / Tag out system does not address Confined Space Procedures, although it forms part of that procedure. These have specific requirements, which are addressed separately.

5.7   Site-specific Isolation and Lockout procedures vary to some extent. Site-specific procedures must be adopted at that site provided they offer a level of risk management equal to or greater than the Company standard.

5.8   In the event that Site-Specific standards are determined via a risk assessment to be lesser than that of the Company, then the Company standards must take precedence.

5.9   Site-Specific Isolation and Lockout procedures must be verified before any work is undertaken at that site.

5.10  Machine guards must not be removed except when an effective isolation of the particular piece of equipment has been completed. If it is necessary for a piece of equipment to be operated with the machine guards removed, a commissioning procedure, risk assessment, JSA or SWP must be utilised.

5.11  The Group Isolation Lock Out / Tag Out system is designed to achieve the following:

1. Ensure that all Primary Isolation Points for equipment required for work, maintenance, inspections, and other activities are correctly identified, isolated, and tested safe, and ensure individual safety by providing a personal lockout point for each person working on the equipment.
2. Assist with traceability of personnel during larger outages or shutdown situations, or when complex maintenance routines are being undertaken, or when longer term shutdown or maintenance periods are being undertaken.
3. Where multiple points of isolation are required, multiple workgroups are in an area, large numbers of personnel are required to attach isolation apparatus to a given point. Group lockout procedures must be employed to enhance control of isolation.
4. Ensure each worker is able to have control over sources of energy likely to affect them by use of a Personal Lock on the Lock-Box.

ANY PERSON WHO FAILS TO FOLLOW LOCK OUT AND TAG OUT PROCEDURES MAY BE SUBJECT TO  DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

5.12   Procedures

5.13   Personal Isolation Lockout / Tag Out.

1. Isolation of equipment must be the responsibility of both the Responsible Person and the person/s performing the works.
2. The Responsible Person may either be performing the work or be in a supervisory capacity.
3. Prior to the isolation and the works commencing the Responsible Person and members of the work team must complete a risk assessment of the task to determine the isolations required.
4. Prior to any work being undertaken the Responsible Person must liaise with the Supervising Authority of the plant to proceed and isolate.
5. Identify equipment seen as requiring maintenance, access, work and or inspection.
6. The Responsible Person must identify the isolations points required including those on any interconnected equipment ‘above’ and ‘below’ the process.
7. Isolation comprises varied processes including;
8. Closing of valves.
9. Opening of drains.
10. Insertion of blanking spades.
11. Removal of spools.
12. Lowering of counterweights.
13. Covering of radioactive components.
14. Positive disconnection of electrical supply.
15. Removal all other energy/ hazard sources.
16. Equipment is considered safely isolated when it cannot cause harm by fluids, gases, moving objects, or energy sources such as radiation, electricity, extremes of temperature & pressure or stored energies such as counterweights. Fluids are shut-off and are drained from pipelines, pumps and vessels, and electricity supply is physically disconnected whenever possible and energy sources are Locked Out or Locked In position.
17. Mechanical isolation must be opened to fitted drain valves and or test valves to confirm release of pressures and fluids from pipelines, vessels, and trial of physical movement.
18. Electrical isolation must be conducted by physically disconnecting supply, switching off supply and locking it in the OFF position.Isolation on a control circuit is not acceptable. (i.e. Trip cords, lock in stop buttons etc.)
19. If there is no lockable supply switch, isolation must be conducted by opening the circuit breaker and locking the circuit breaker in the OPEN position. Only a qualified electrician or other licensed electrical worker or site specific ‘authorised isolator’ must be used to operate circuit breakers.
20. A licenced electrician or other licenced electrical worker must only carry out electrical Isolations requiring any physical disconnection of the wiring to an electrical supply.
21. The isolation should be made lockable and have a physical barrier in place to prevent the isolation inadvertently being compromised. This means switches that can be locked in the OFF position by means of a built in pin or latch, valves that have a locking pin or hole to accept a lock etc.
22. Note: The locking of a valve handle may be as simple as applying chain wrapped around the handle and back to another piece of pipe.
23. Radiation source isolations and de-isolations must only be carried out by an Authorised Radiation Safety Officer or other approved person who has been trained and deemed competent in radiation source isolation procedures.
24. No work must be carried out within two meters of a live radiation source or inside any pipe or vessel through which radiation passes unless an Authorised Radiation Safety Officer has first been consulted.
25. Confirmation of isolations must be the responsibility of the Responsible Person and any other person required to work on or about that equipment.
26. Isolation is to be confirmed through testing of start buttons, contact with control rooms or operations personnel, and visually by checking tanks and drains etc. If there is any doubt or special area requirements regarding safe isolation the assistance of an appropriately qualified person (e.g. electrician or area supervisor) must be used to prove Safe Isolation.
27. Personal Locks and Danger Tags must be placed before beginning work. Tags must clearly state employee name, position, company, supervisors name and the name of the users section / department to identify the owner of the personal lock.

5.14   Attaching Personal Locks and Tags

1. The Responsible Person in charge of the work must check the isolation of the equipment to ensure it is safe for the personnel assigned to work before applying their own Personal Lock/s and Tag/s.
2. The Responsible Person in charge of the work is responsible for ensuring that all personnel under his control and working on the equipment attach their Personal Lock and Danger Tag at each of the required Isolation Points.
3. Where a number of persons are working on the same job, each person must attach their own Personal Lock and Danger Tag to the Isolating Point/s.
4. Before attaching his or her lock each person must confirm with the Responsible Person that the correct isolation point is being locked out.
5. Each person’s Personal Lock and Tag must be attached in such a manner that the switch, valve or other isolating device cannot be operated without the removal of that particular Personal Lock.
6. Each person is to ensure they carry the keys for their Personal Lock on them at all times while the isolation is in place. Keys are under no circumstances to be handed to anyone else for safekeeping or to be used to remove someone else’s locks.
7. Danger Tags must be attached as securely as practically to the Personal Lock.
8. Note: The preferred method is to use a tag with an eye punched into the top edge and passes the lock hasp through the eye of the tag. It is to be avoided using string to attach tags to Personal Locks if possible.
9. When a person other than the Responsible Person has completed their work, or at the end of their shift, they must remove their own Personal Locks and Danger tags.
10. When the work has been completed and all other Personal Locks and Tags have been removed, the Responsible Person must remove their Personal Lock and Tag and notify the Supervising Authority of the status of the equipment, acknowledging the removal of locks and danger tags.
11. If equipment is not in a safe condition for service at the end of the work period, the Responsible Person must ensure that Out of Service tags are attached to all isolation points and that the Supervising Authority is informed.
12. The only person permitted to remove a Personal Lock and Danger Tag is the person who attached it. Should this person be unavailable, the Responsible Person and Supervising Authority must revert to the Removing Personal Locks Procedure SP4.4.6.4.9

5.15  Group Isolation Permit System        

1. Where a risk assessment or JSA has identified that group isolation should be used due to the complexity or length of the task.
2. Note: As a guide if there are 5 or more isolation points required.
3. Where a Group Isolation Permit must be used the Supervisor responsible for the job must nominate the Authorised Isolator and Permit Holder (Supervisor would normally act as Permit Holder). The Authorised Isolator and Permit Holder must retrieve the appropriate Lock-Box complete with a full set of locks and the Isolation Permit on the DataWeb
4. The Authorised Isolator and Permit Holder will prepare the Group Isolation Permit. They must:
   1. Record the date, description of the tasks and equipment being worked on.
   2. Identify any requirement for additional permits, eg. hot work, confined space etc.
   3. Record the individual isolation points and methods of isolation.
   4. Record any special conditions/instructions required eg. notifying first aid, mining dept or specialised PPE required etc.

5.16  Once the Group Isolation Permit preparations have been completed, the Authorised Isolator in the company of the Permit Holder must:

1. Agree to the nature of the job according to the risk assessment or JSA.
2. Carry out the relevant isolations, discharge any stored energy and verify that the isolations are effective.
3. Attach a Group Isolation Lock and Group Isolation Tag to each isolation point.
4. Place the key(s) for the set of Group Isolation Locks (and any unused locks) in the Lock-box.
5. Attach a Personal Lock and Danger Tag to the outside of the Lock-box.
6. Sign the Issued By section of the permit to confirm that the group isolation is complete, and record the time and date.

5.17  If the Authorised Isolator is not authorised for a particular type of isolation, eg. Radiation, they must arrange for a suitably qualified Authorised Isolator to carry out those isolations and sign the relevant section of the Group Isolation Permit.

5.18   The Permit Holder, who is responsible for ensuring that the conditions stated on the Group Isolation Permit are implemented and maintained, must:

1. Complete the Permit Holder declaration section Accepted By, and sign it as valid and ready for work, recording the time and date.
2. Attach the Permit Master Lock to the Lock-box and retain the key.
3. Attach a Personal Lock and Danger Tag to the outside of the lock box.

5.19   Where work is to continue over a number of shifts, the Permit Holder must transfer the Group Isolation Permit to a Permit Holder on the following shift.

5.20   If there is no Permit Holder available, the Permit must be cancelled and all work on the permit is to cease.

5.21   All members of the work team, and persons planning to work under the Group Isolation Permit must:

1. Notify the Permit Holder of their intention to work on the plant or equipment.
2. Seek direction from the Permit Holder regarding the special condition/instructions.
3. Satisfy them that the isolation is effective, all relevant safety precautions have been taken and that they fully understand the limitations of the work area.
4. Attach a Personal Lock and Personal Danger Tag to the Lock Box.
5. Retain the key to their Personal Lock.
6. Remove their Personal Locks and Danger Tags at the completion of each shift, or when they have finished working in the area.
7. Remove their Personal Locks and Danger Tags they must treat the equipment as live.

5.22   Canceling a Group Isolation Permit

5.22.1  Once all work covered by the permit has been completed, or when the Permit Holder must leave site and there is no Permit Holder to replace them, or for operational or safety reasons that a permit must be cancelled, the Permit Holder must:

1. Check to ensure all Personal Locks and Personal Danger Tags have been removed from the Group Isolation Lock-Box
2. Confirm that the equipment covered by the Group Isolation Permit is safe and ready for service, or has been made safe to operate. (eg. covers and guards replaced, rubbish removed) 
3. Surrender the Group Isolation Permit by completing the Surrendered By section of the Group Isolation Permit
4. Remove their Personal Lock and Danger Tag from the Group Isolation Lock-Box
5. Remove the Permit Master Lock from the Lock-box
6. Hand-over the Group Isolation Permit to the Authorised Isolator.

5.22.2  The Authorised Isolator must then:

1. Cancel the Permit by completing the Cancelled By section of the Group Isolation Permit.
2. Retrieve the Group Isolation key(s) from the Lock-box
3. Remove the Group Isolation Tags and Locks from the isolation points covered under the Permit.
4. Verify that the number of Group Isolation Tags and locks removed equals the number placed.
5. Advise the Responsible Person / Supervisor that the work is complete and plant is ready for service.
6. File all of the permit documentation.

5.23   Where equipment is unsuitable to be returned to service, the Group Isolation Permit is still cancelled, however, Out of Service Tags must be attached to all isolation points. The Out of Service Tags must remain in place until the repairs are carried out.

5.24   Transfer of Group Isolation Permit

5.24.1     A Group Isolation Permit may be transferred to another Permit Holder to enable the job to continue during a shift, or over a number of shifts.

5.24.2     Where another Permit Holder is not available, the Group Isolation Permit must be cancelled. In this case an Out of Service tag should be placed.

5.24.3     Both the out-going and in-coming Permit Holders and Authorised Isolators must be present when a Group Isolation Permit is transferred.

5.24.4     The out-going Permit Holder who holds the Group Isolation Permit must:

1. Record the status of the job, and any special circumstances that may apply to the Group Isolation Permit.
2. Ensure that the new Permit Holder is familiar with the work being carried out and advise them of the any special circumstances.
3. Sign-off the Group Isolation Permit recording the date and time, and remove their Personal Lock and Danger Tag from the Lock-box.
4. Hand over the Permit Master Lock key.
5. Have the new Permit Holder sign-on to accept the transfer of the Group Isolation Permit recording the date and time, and attach their Personal Lock and Danger Tag onto the lockbox.
6. The out-going Authorised Isolator must also sign-off the Group Isolation Permit and removes their Personal Lock and Danger Tag.

5.24.5 The new Authorised Isolator must sign-on and attaches their Personal Lock and Danger Tag.

5.24.6 The new Permit Holder must also nominates a new Authorised Isolator to carry out the duties required of isolation and de-isolation as required.

5.25   Changing a Permit During a Job

5.25.1  An isolation point can be added or removed from an Group Isolation Permit after a Permit Holder has accepted it under the following conditions:

1. All work under the permit stops.
2. All Personal Locks and Danger Tags are removed from Lock-box.
3. The Authorised Isolator removes the Master Lock and in the company of the Permit Holder must modify the required isolation points.
4. The Authorised Isolator modifies the permit accordingly.
5. The Permit Holder accepts the modification and returns the permit back to the Lock-box.
6. The Permit Master Lock is replaced onto the Lock-box
7. All Personal Locks and Danger Tags are returned to Lock-box.
8. The Permit Holder then briefs the Work Team/s of the changed conditions and how it affects the tasks being undertaken

5.25.2  These limitations are subject to the discretion of the Permit Holder and the defined risk assessment. 

5.26   Permit to Work systems. (Includes use of Danger Tags only)

5.26.1     Isolation of equipment must be the responsibility of both the person performing the isolation, and the Permit Authority.

5.26.2     Identify equipment seen as requiring maintenance, access, work and/ or inspection. The Permit authority identifies the isolations required for the work including those on any interconnected equipment.

5.26.3     The physical means of isolation must be the same as per Personal Isolation Lockout / Tag out systems.

5.26.4     Standard isolating check sheets should be prepared for various pieces of equipment and machinery within local areas that are known from experience to need isolation together. 

5.26.5     Isolating procedures and check sheets should be prepared for any Lock out/ Tag out Permit which requires a large number of isolating points. The isolating procedures and check sheets must be attached to the Lock out/ Tag out Permit to Work

5.26.6     Radiation source isolations and de-isolations must only be carried out by an Authorised Radiation Safety Officer or other approved person who has been deemed competent in radiation source isolation procedures.

5.26.7     No work must be carried out within two meters of a live radiation source or inside any pipe or vessel through which radiation passes unless an Authorised Radiation Safety Officer has first been consulted.

5.26.8     A Personal Lock and Danger Tag must be attached to all Primary Isolation Points of the equipment whenever danger could arise from an energy/ hazard source or the operation of equipment.

5.26.9     Personal Locks and Danger Tags must be placed before beginning work.  Tags must clearly state name, position, company and the name of the user’s supervisor, to identify the owner of the Personal Lock.

5.27   Attaching Personal Locks

5.27.1 The Permit Holder in charge of the work first checks the isolation of the equipment to ensure it is safe for the personnel assigned to work on that equipment.

5.27.2 They must be accompanied by the Permit Authority to assist in identifying the Primary Isolation Points.

5.27.3 The Permit Holder in charge of the work is responsible for ensuring that all personnel under his control and working on the equipment attach their Personal Lock and Danger Tag at each of the Primary Isolation Points.

5.27.4 Confirmation of isolations must be the responsibility of the Permit Authority, the Lock out/ Tag out Permit Holder, and any other person required to work on or about the equipment.

5.27.5  isolation is to be confirmed through testing and confirmation with control rooms or operations personnel, and identified as having been tested correct by the initials on the permit. 

5.27.6 Equipment is safely isolated when it cannot cause harm by fluids, gases, moving objects, or energy sources such as radiation, electricity or extremes of temperature.  This requires that fluids are shut-off and are drained from pipelines, pumps and vessels, and electricity supply is positively disconnected and physically disconnected whenever possible, and that energy sources are positively locked out.

5.27.7 If there is any doubt or special area requirements regarding safe isolation, the assistance of an appropriately qualified person (e.g. electrician or supervisor) must be used to prove Safe Isolation. That person must then sign off the relevant section of the permit.

5.27.8 A licenced electrician or other licenced electrical worker must only carry out electrical Isolations requiring any disconnection of the wiring to an electrical supply.

5.27.9  The Permit Authority must not issue a Lock out/ Tag out Permit to Work until, along with the intended Permit Holder, it is verified that the isolation is complete and safe and that all necessary safety precautions have been identified and attended to.

5.27.10 Once verified the Permit Holder must apply their Personal Lock and Tag.

5.27.11 The Permit Holder must show all persons working on the equipment and when satisfied of its safety must apply their own Personal Lock and Danger tag to the isolating point/s and sign the Permit to acknowledge acceptance.

5.28   Each Person to Lockout

5.28.1  Where a number of persons are working on the same job each person must attach his own Personal Lock and Danger Tag to the Primary Isolating Points for that equipment.  Before attaching his or her lock each person must confirm with the Permit Holder that the correct isolation point is being locked out.

5.28.2  Each person’s Personal Lock must be attached in such a manner that the switch, valve or other isolating device cannot be operated without the removal of that Personal Lock.

5.28.3  When a person other than the Lock out/ Tag out Permit Holder has completed their work, or at the end of their shift, they must remove their Personal Locks and Danger tags.

5.28.4  When the work has been completed the Lock out/ Tag out Permit Holder must notify the Permit Authority of the status of the equipment, acknowledge the removal of locks and danger tags.

5.28.5  The Permit Authority must verify the information and sign off the Lock out/ Tag out Permit to Work if applicable.

5.28.6  If equipment is not in a safe condition for service at the end of the work period, the Permit Holder must ensure that Out of Service tags are attached to all isolation points and that the Permit Authority is informed.

5.28.7  If conditions should not change before work resumes on the next shift, then the permit is signed off as incomplete and a new permit issued to the next Permit Holder so they understand and are familiar with the isolations and conditions.

5.28.8  On return of the Lock out/ Tag out Permit, the Permit Authority must confirm the status of the equipment and if it is not fit for service must ensure that Out of Service tags remain on all isolation points. If work is complete, locks and tags can be removed and the Permit to Work can be signed off as complete.

5.28.9 On completion of the days activities the Permit Authority must notify the Area Authority / Supervisor of the status of the plant.

Where there is no provision for the use of Personal Locks to be used for lockout, the use of Danger Tags may be acceptable following a risk assessment of the current facility. If the risk assessment cannot conclude a satisfactory degree of risk management with sufficient control another method of isolation must be utilised.

5.29   Responsibilities within Lockout / Tag Out Systems

Every individual associated with the Lock out/ Tag out systems has specific responsibilities for both their own personal safety and the safety of others.

The initial objective for any Responsible Person / Supervisor / Permit Holder / Permit Authority must be to, wherever possible, determine alternative methods for undertaking the activity which do not expose personnel to the risks that would otherwise require management through the Personal Lockout / Tag out, Group Isolation or Permit to Work systems.

5.29.1 Isolation and Lock out/ Tag out systems and procedures depend upon the competency of the person/s documenting and confirming the isolation / de-energising of equipment and energy/ hazard sources.

5.29.2 Personnel required to issue such permits are to be trained, assessed, and certified by their management to act as Authorised Isolators / Permit Holders / Permit Authorities for defined areas/ equipment. Such certification must remain valid for a maximum period of 12 months (or sooner should circumstances change), after which time there must be a formal re-assessment.

5.29.3 Authority to issue a Group Isolation Permit or Permit to Work is restricted to only those areas/ items of equipment specified on the certification.

5.29.4 Authority to commence work or to access operational equipment must be authorised only by:

• Permit Holder for Group Isolation Permits or

• Permit Authority for Permit to Work

5.30  Permit Authority

The Permit Authority confirms isolations to suit specific work orders, issues and cancels Permits to Work, monitors and specifies safety requirements.

The Permit Authority is also responsible for ensuring that isolation procedures are completed in accordance with site procedures.

5.30.1  The Permit Authority is responsible for:

1. Make equipment, specified on a Work Order or other request for work, available for maintenance or inspection.
2. Ensure that the correct piece of equipment, as specified on the Work Order, is isolated and made available for maintenance.
3. Ensure that a complete isolation of equipment has been carried out in accordance with site/ area procedures.
4. Confirm that all tests necessary to confirm a safe isolation have been carried out where required as per site procedures.
5. Specify all necessary safety equipment.
6. Specify all safety precautions.
7. Ensure relevant tags are attached to every isolating point.
8. Ensure that any necessary periodic tests during the life of the Permit to Work are made known to the Permit Holder, and carried out.
9. Show the isolation to the intended Permit recipient / worker on request.
10. Physically prove that safe isolation of equipment to the intended Work Permit Holder.
11. Ensure that the Permit recipient / worker is aware of their responsibilities regarding, and complies with, all the safety requirements, including the placement of locks and tags, safety equipment and area, equipment and machinery specific safety procedures.
12. Issue the Permit.
13. Confirm the condition of equipment prior to cancelling a Permit to Work.
14. Confirm that all Personal Locks and Danger tags have been removed from every isolating point prior to cancelling a Permit.
15. Confirm that the Permit Holder prior to cancelling a Permit has signed off the Permit.
16. Confirm that ‘Out of Service tags’ are attached to equipment if it is not safe to be returned to service.
17. Cancel the Permit.
18. Advise the Area Supervising Authority of the status of the Permit on completion of the job / shift activities.

5.31  Permit Holder

The Permit holder is the person, who requires the isolation in order to carry out specific work, and reviews and accepts a Permit to Work, returning it on job or shift completion.

5.31.1 The Permit holder is responsible for:

1. Requesting the isolation of equipment as required completing a task.
2. Ensuring that a complete and safe isolation of equipment has been carried out as required for the particular item of equipment being worked upon.
3. Ensuring all tests necessary to prove a safe isolation are carried out.
4. Following all job specific safety procedures.
5. Ensuring the adequacy of and utilising any safety equipment required for the job.
6. Adhering to all area, equipment and machinery specific safety precautions.
7. Ensuring relevant tags are attached to every isolation point.
8. Ensuring that locks are attached in accordance with the lock and tag procedures.
9. Fitting own Personal Locks and Danger Tags to isolating points, as determined by the Permit Authority.
10. Ensuring that the Permit to Work has been filled out correctly.
11. Accepting the Permit by their signature.
12. Ensuring that any person working under the Permit is also aware of, and complies with, all the safety requirements, including the placement of locks and tags, safety equipment and safety procedures that may be necessary.
13. Ensuring that all persons have removed their Personal Locks and Danger Tags prior to signing off the Permit.
14. Ensuring that Out of Service tag has been attached to equipment if it is not safe to be returned to service, prior to signing off the Permit.
15. Advising the Permit Authority of the condition of the equipment covered by the Permit.
16. Relinquishing the Permit by signing it off.

5.32  Authorised Isolator

The Authorised Isolator ensures isolations are conducted effectively and in accordance with site procedures.  They may be called upon to perform personal isolations for untrained persons or to assist in completing group isolations in company with a permit holder.

The Authorised Isolator is responsible for:

1. Ensure that the correct piece of equipment, as specified on the Work Order, is isolated and made available for maintenance.
2. Ensure that a complete isolation of equipment has been carried out in accordance with site/ area procedures.
3. Confirm that all tests necessary to confirm a safe isolation have been carried out where required as per site procedures.
4. Ensure relevant locks and tags are attached to every isolating point.
5. Ensure that any necessary periodic tests during the life of the Permit are made known to the Permit Holder, and carried out.
6. Show the isolation to the intended Permit recipient / worker on request.
7. Physically prove the safe isolation of equipment to the intended Permit Holder.
8. Ensure that the Permit recipient / worker is aware of their responsibilities regarding, and complies with, all the safety requirements, including the placement of locks and tags, safety equipment and area, equipment and machinery specific safety procedures.
9. Confirm that all Personal Locks and Danger tags have been removed from every isolating point prior to removing permit locks.
10. Re-energise equipment following work performed by person working under Personal Isolation.
11. Confirm that the Permit Holder prior to canceling a Permit has signed off a Permit.
12. Confirm that ‘Out of Service tags’ are attached to equipment if it is not safe to be returned to service.
13. Cancel the Permit.
14. Advise the Area Supervising Authority of the status of the Personal Isolation or Group Isolation Permit on completion of the job / shift activities.

5.33   Any Person Working on Equipment                                                           

Any person working on equipment must confirm with the Permit Holder that a Permit has been issued prior to their commencement of work and that required isolations have been performed.

Any person working on equipment covered by a Permit to Work is responsible for:

1. Personally confirm that the equipment isolation is completed and safe.
2. Comply with all the safety requirements, including the placement of locks and tags, safety equipment and safety procedures that may be necessary.
3. Attach their own Personal Lock and Danger Tags to the isolating points as determined by the Permit Authority.
4. Ensure that locks and relevant tags are attached in accordance with the lock and tag procedures.
5. Sight that the Permit has been completed correctly.
6. Adhere to all specified safety precautions.
7. Remove their personal locks and tags before the Permit is signed off.

5.34   New Installations or Relocation of Equipment

5.34.1 Equipment that is under construction must be exempt from these Lock Out / Tag out Permit procedures provided it is not connected to an energy source and there is no risk from adjacent commissioned equipment. 

5.34.2  Where equipment under construction is connected to an energy source these Procedures must apply.

5.34.3  Equipment that is under commissioning must be subject to the Commissioning Procedure SP4.4.6.4.8

5.34.4  The person who completes a new installation or relocation of equipment must notify their supervisor when the installation is complete and ready for inspection.

5.34.5  The Supervisor must ensure that the equipment is isolated and Out of Service Tags attached to prevent the equipment being used until it has been inspected and approved for operation by the Area Authority.

5.35   Training / Competencies

5.35.1 Permit Holders, Authorised Isolators and Permit Authorities must demonstrate competency in:

1. Permit procedures.
2. Understanding the equipment/ machinery/ process for which they will be required to issue Permits.
3. The hazards associated with the equipment/ machinery/ process for which they will be required to issue Permits.
4. The Primary and other Isolation Points for the equipment/ machinery/ process for which they will be required to issue Permits.

5.36  The Area Manager will make certification of competency. 

5.37  Training records for individuals attaining this competency must record their status, and the requirement for biennial re-certification.

5.38  It is the responsibility of the Area Manager to ensure that Permit Authorities are in place for areas requiring this service, and that Permit Authorities maintain current certification.

6.0   EXHIBITS

Documentation produced as a result of performing the activities described above includes

IMS9.4.6.4.5F1     Certificate of Competency – Isolation Lockout and Tag out systems.

IMS9.4.6.4.5F2     Isolation Lockout / Tag out- Permit to Work