Permit to Work No.3: Confined Space
Permit to work No.3 is a permit to work for confined space. This permit to work is designed to establish that all the hazards has been identified and controlled before working on a confined space. After going through the check of what a proper permit to work should have, the permit to work scored 12 out of 13. This particular permit is very good and detail on controlling the hazards involving the job. It has a good section for personnel entry and exit record and also, a section for air monitoring results which is very important when working on a confined space. It also has a good section for requirements check list which discuss the health and safety precaution and equipment that you might need. It also has a pre-entry check list which also helps minimize the hazards and highlights the lockout procedure that you might need before doing the job.
- Identify the isolation method required and describe how they would be applied.
Isolation Methods for Permit to Work No.1: Working at height
When work at heights, some equipment such as a “cherry picker” could be used to gain access to the job at hand. One way of isolating this equipment so no one but you could use it is to “lock off” the equipment. This could be done by taking the key that switch on the machine or using an actual lock to lock the switches on the equipment.
You could also lockout the safety gates or entrance using a padlock on scaffoldings or equipment such as a scissor lift to prevent anyone from operating the equipment.
When using ladders to work at heights, you could use this ladder gates. Ladder gates are like portable gate especially for ladders to prevent unauthorised people from climbing it. A padlock is used to ensure that no one but the key holder can access or authorise someone to use the ladder.
Isolation method for Permit to Work No.2: Hot Work Permit
For example, you are about to carry out a maintenance on a pipeline and you need to cut a section out of the pipeline to clean or replace it, you could isolate the pipeline by blanking it off. This can be done by off valve of the pipeline either end so no gas or liquid flows in the pipeline. You the drain the section of the pipeline you are working on of any gas, liquids or any substances inside using the proper equipments. You the plug either end of the pipeline to make sure nothing flows or leek through before and while carrying out the maintenance work. You can then safely cut out the section of the pipeline knowing that nothing is going to leak.
You could also use lock out pads to isolate any power supplies or even the valves itself to prevent anyone from switching it on or operating it while you’re doing to maintenance work. This can also act as a warning sign to warn others that someone is carrying out maintenance work and that they take caution when switching things on. Lock out pads also allows you to use multiple numbers of padlocks so if there are two person carrying out the maintenance work one can start without the other person. This would make more safe to carrying out maintenance work if it is a two man job.
Isolation method for Permit to Work No.3: Confines Spaces
When working on a confined space, there are various type of isolation methods that can be such as blanking off and lock off procedures to isolate any electrical gas any substances that is involved in the work area. You could also use the disconnecting method to isolate any moving or rotating any mechanical parts in the confined space. You can also use chains straps and padlocks to isolate moving parts if it is not possible to disconnect any moving or rotating parts involve.
Maintenance barriers can also be used to isolate the area you are working on. This will prevent any unauthorised entry to the area to any person that is not qualified or competent for the job. This can also warn other to take caution when approaching the area.
- Select appropriate protective equipment
Personal Protective Equipment for Permit to Work No.1: Working at height
Personal Protective Equipment that can be used when working at heights:
- Hard Hat or Bump Cap- this personal protective equipment can be used to protect your head from any falling objects. A downside of this equipment is that it could be a bit uncomfortable to wear.
- Harness- a harness can also be used to prevent anyone from falling off high grounds in case the operator slips or very strong winds. A downside to this equipment is that it could restrict movement when working and can also be uncomfortable to wear.
- High visibility vest- this equipment can be used when there is poor visibility on the work area and also helps if you’re working with another person on a crane to see where you are.
- Safety boots- this equipment can be used to protect your toes from falling objects. A downside to this equipment is that it could be heavy to wear.
- Safety glasses- this equipment can be used to protect the eyes from any debris floating in the air. A downside to this is that it could be a bit expensive to buy if you need prescription glasses.
- Communication- this equipment can be used to communicate to other workers to locate their position or to warn them of any hazards.
Personal Protective Equipment that can be used on hot working:
- Flame proof overall- flame proof overall is used to protect you from catching fire when working with naked flames. A downside to this equipment is that once you have washed it, the chemicals on the fabric that makes it fire retardant washes of as well so you might need a new pair.
- Safety glasses- this equipment is used to protect the eyes from any airborne particles when hot working such as sparks and grinding dust. A downside when using this is that it could get moist when working with hot or cold temperatures.
Personal Protective Equipment that can be used on hot working (Cont.):
- Safety boots- safety boots may also be used on hot working to protect your toes from falling objects and sparks involving the task. A downside of wearing this is that it could be a bit comfortable when kneeling down to gain access to the job.
- Exhaust equipment- this equipment is used to minimize the amount of fumes around the area when working with welding and gas cutting equipment. A downside to this equipment is that it could be a bit noisy.
- Leather gloves- this equipment is used to protect hands from hot temperatures. A downside to this equipment is that it could decrease the amount of grip.
Personal Protective Equipment that can be used on Confined space:
- Hard hat or bump cap- this equipment is used to protect the head from low clearance points on the working area such as small man holes or low ceiling. A downside to this equipment is that it could restrict access to the job and can also be uncomfortable to wear.
- High visibility vest- this equipment is used on areas with poor lighting so a co-worker can see where you are. A downside to this equipment is that it could sometimes restrict movement on your arms.
- Breathing equipment- this equipment is used to provide more breathable air on a person working on a confined space. A downside to this equipment is that it could be a bit difficult to used for some people for their are not comfortable breathing through a tube or mask.
- Communication devices- this equipment is used when working on a buddy system to communicate thing such as job related problems or emergency situations. A downside to this is that you to use one of your hand to use this equipment which can make it a bit awkward when working on a task.
- Monitoring Equipment for each permit to work
Monitoring Equipment for working at heights:
Monitoring equipment such as wind speed and direction sensors can be used to monitor wind speed and direction. This monitoring equipment helps the person working at heights determine the safe working condition outside. It helps promote working safely at heights by determining the correct safe working conditions. The consequences if you did not use this equipment is that you put yourself in danger by not knowing the correct wind speed and direction especially if you are working with big cranes and heavy loads.
Monitoring Equipment for Hot Working:
Temperature sensors
Temperature sensors can be used to monitor the temperature in the working area. The health safety and welfare regulation 1992 deals with temperature in the workplace, regulation 7 specifically deals with temperature in the indoor work place. The temperature in work room should be reasonably comfortable and should be provided by the employer. There is no maximum temperature to stop people working but a minimum of 13-14 degrees Celsius. If the temperature gets uncomfortably to high, the employer must provide some form control to avoid this. The consequences of not using this equipment are that you cannot determine the correct temperature the employees can work to.
Monitoring Equipment for Confined Spaces:
Oxygen monitor
The monitor can tell the operator exactly when the oxygen level is low enough to commence welding. It measures the content of oxygen in the purge gas to indicate when it is safe to carry out a weld or gas cutting process on confined spaces. This equipment promotes working safely on a confined space by determining the correct safe working environment. Also a good permit to work system should include this type of monitoring equipment. The consequences if you do not use this equipment are that you can unsure if the confines space has the suitable oxygen level to work on.
Summary:
In this assignment I have learnt to identify and compare what a good permit to work should and shouldn’t have. I have learned about the different types of personal protective equipment involving different types of permit to work systems. I have also learnt about the different monitoring equipment and how they could help the work place safer to work in.
References;
Lecturer notes
www.diytrade.com/
www.directindustry.com/
www.iacs.org.uk/
