QUALITY DOCUMENT
Name of Form: IMS9.4.6.5 Isolation and Lockout Procedure - Marine Operations Terminal

IMS9.4.6.5 Isolation and Lockout Procedure - Marine Operations Terminal

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

Relevant to SeaLink employees, Contractors, Sub-Contractors and Visitors.

This procedure applies 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.

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

Authorised Isolator -A person who has been trained and deemed competent.

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 will prevent the equipment from being activated.

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

5.0   REQUIREMENTS

Personal Isolation Lockout  / Tag out systems

5.1  The Personal Isolation Lock Out / Tag Out system is designed to achieve the following:

• 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.
• Prevent injury to people working on and around equipment, which could result from equipment starting or operating and from other energy sources.
• Provide the basic requirements to achieve the correct and safe isolation of equipment including safety equipment and precautions.

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

5.3  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.

5.4  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.

5.5   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.

6.0   PROCEDURE

6.1    Personal Isolation Lockout / Tag Out

• Isolation of equipment is the responsibility of both the Responsible Person and the person/s performing the works.
• The Responsible Person may either be performing the work or be in a supervisory capacity.
• 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.
• Prior to any work being undertaken the Responsible Person must liaise with the Supervising Authority of the plant to proceed and isolate.
• Identify equipment seen as requiring maintenance, access, work and or inspection.
• The Responsible Person identifies the isolations points required including those on any interconnected equipment ‘above’ and ‘below’ the process.
• 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.
• 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.
• Electrical isolation must be conducted by physically disconnecting supply, switching off supply and locking it in the OFF position. 
• If there is no lockable supply switch, isolation is to 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Confirmation of isolations is the responsibility of the Responsible Person and any other person required to work on or about that equipment.
• 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.
• 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.

6.2   Attaching Personal Locks and Tags

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Before attaching his or her lock each person must confirm with the Responsible Person that the correct isolation point is being locked out.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• When the work has been completed and all other Personal Locks have been removed, the Responsible Person must remove their Personal Lock and notify the Supervising Authority of the status of the equipment, acknowledging the removal of locks.
• 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.
• 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 IMS9.4.6.9 Removing Personal Locks and Tags Procedure

6.3   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.

6.3.1 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.

6.3.2 Personnel required to issue such permits are to be trained, by their management to act as Authorised Isolators / Permit Holders / Permit Authorities for defined areas/ equipment.

6.4   Permit Authority 

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

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

6.4.1 The Permit Authority is responsible for:

• Make equipment, specified on a Work Order or other request for work, available for maintenance or inspection.
• Ensure that the correct piece of equipment, as specified on the Work Order, is isolated and made available for maintenance.
• Ensure that a complete isolation of equipment has been carried out in accordance with site/ area procedures.
• Confirm that all tests necessary to confirm a safe isolation have been carried out where required as per site procedures.
• Specify all necessary safety equipment.
• Specify all safety precautions.
• Physically prove that safe isolation of equipment to the intended Work Permit Holder.
• 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.

Issue the Permit

• Confirm the condition of equipment prior to cancelling a Permit to Work.
• Confirm that all Personal Locks and Danger tags have been removed from every isolating point prior to cancelling a Permit.
• Confirm that the Permit Holder prior to cancelling a Permit has signed off the Permit.
• Confirm that ‘Out of Service tags’ are attached to equipment if it is not safe to be returned to service.

Cancel the Permit

Advise the Area Supervising Authority of the status of the Permit on completion of the job / shift activities.

6.5   Permit Holder

The Permit holder is the person, who requires the isolation in order to carry out specific work.

6.5.1 The Permit holder is responsible for:

• Requesting the isolation of equipment as required completing a task.
• Ensuring that a complete and safe isolation of equipment has been carried out as required for the particular item of equipment being worked upon.
• Ensuring all tests necessary to prove a safe isolation are carried out.
• Following all job specific safety procedures.
• Ensuring the adequacy of and utilising any safety equipment required for the job.
• Adhering to all area, equipment and machinery specific safety precautions.
• Ensuring that locks are attached in accordance with the lock and tag procedures.
• Fitting own Personal Locks and Danger Tags to isolating points.
• Ensuring that the Permit to Work has been filled out correctly.
• Accepting the Permit by their digital signature.
• 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.
• Ensuring that all persons have removed their Personal Locks and Danger Tags prior to signing off the Permit.
• 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.
• Advising the Permit Authority of the condition of the equipment covered by the Permit.
• Relinquishing the Permit by signing it off.

6.6   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 and must:

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

6.7   New Installations or Relocation of Equipment

6.7.1 Equipment that is under construction is 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. 

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

6.7.3 Equipment that is under commissioning must be subject to the Commissioning

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

6.7.5 The Supervisor is to ensure 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.

7.0   TRAINING AND COMPETENCIES

Permit Holders, and Permit Authorities must demonstrate competency in:

• Permit procedures.
• Understanding the equipment/ machinery / process for which they will be required to issue permits.
• The hazards associated with the equipment/ machinery/ process for which they will be required to issue permits.
• The primary and other solation points for the equipment/ machinery / process for which they will be required to issue permits.

8.0   EXHIBITS

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

Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) permit