IMS9.4.6.9 Removing Personal Locks and Tags Procedure

1.0   PURPOSE

To ensure that the SeaLink has a system in place to control the removal of Personal Locks and Tags.

2.0   SCOPE

It encompasses SeaLink employees, sub contractors, contractors and visitors involved in plant and equipment isolation, or who perform work on isolated plant and equipment.

This procedure is to be enforced in the event that a person, who has left their Personal Lock and Danger Tag attached to an isolation device, has left site and is unable to return to effect the removal so that isolated plant and equipment can be returned to service.

3.0   REFERENCES

IMS9.4.6.4.5 Isolation and Lockout

QLD Dept. - NRM Guidance Note – Isolation Procedures Issued 21.01.05

IMS5.6.1 - Management Review General

AS/NZS - 4801:2001 - Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems

4.0   DEFINITIONS

Company - SeaLink

Must - mandatory

5.0   REQUIREMENTS

Personal Locks and Danger Tags are only to be removed by the person who attached them.

If however, a person overlooks to remove these items and the equipment is required to be returned to service, this procedure must be implemented to allow personal locks and tags to be removed by a 3^rd party.

5.1   Procedure

When it has been established that a Personal Lock and Danger Tag has been left on an isolation device that requires de-isolation:

1. Commence a search the immediate area for the owner.
2. Inform the area Supervisor if unable to locate the owner.
3. The Supervisor must begin a broader physical search of the area, including accommodation, messing facilities, first aid station etc. Phones and radios may assist in this process.
4. If contact is made, the owner must be instructed to return to the isolation point and remove their lock/tag.

5.2   If Working in a Remote Location

The Supervisor must begin a broader physical search of the area, including accommodation, messing facilities, first aid station flight manifests and off-site registers. Phones and radios may assist in this process.

If the owner is located, they must be instructed by the Supervisor to return to site to remove their lock/tag. (In the event that the owner is unable to return to site, proceed to section 5.4).

If owner has left site, the Supervisor must attempt to make phone or mobile phone contact at the owner’s residential address. This is for confirmation purposes and to outline to the lock/tag owner the procedure being followed for lock/tag removal.

If the person is not known to have left site, but cannot be located, the Supervisor must satisfy them that the lock/tag owner is not in the vicinity to which the lock/tag is attached.

5.3   If Working on Site

If contact is unable to be made on site, the Supervisor must attempt to make phone or mobile phone contact at the owner’s residential address.

If the owner is located at home, they must be instructed to return to site to remove their lock / tag. (In the event that the owner is unable to return to site, proceed to section 5.4).

If the person is not known to have left site, but cannot be located, the Supervisor must satisfy themselves that the lock / tag owner is not in the vicinity to which the lock / tag is attached.

5.4    When the Supervisor has exhausted all avenues to contact the owner they shall initiate the use of the ‘Authorisation to Remove Locks / Tags’ form IMS9.4.6.4.9F1 and must:

1. Complete the form.
2. Contact the Area Manager or Client Supervising Authority to sign off on the form.
3. Remove the lock/tag from the isolation device.
4. Attached the lock & tag to the Authorisation Form and returned them to the Area Manager and or Client Supervising Authority.
5. Prepare the isolated plant / equipment for return to service.

5.5    On Return to Site the Owner of the Lock / Tag Must be Provided the Removed Lock/s and Tag/s and Sign Off on the Authorisation Form

6.0   EXHIBITS

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

IMS9.4.6.4.9F1 Authorisation to Remove Locks / Tags Form (This form is accessed though the Lockout Tag Out register) Here