work In Accordance With An Issued Permit

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to work in accordance with an issued permit. It aims to ensure that people working under a permit to work understand the system, know the limitations of the permit under which they are working and comply with all the requirements of the permit. 

The people to whom this unit applies may be called ‘permit recipients’ or ‘permit holders’ by some organisations. Some organisations call ‘permits’ ‘clearances.

This unit of competency applies to persons who are required to conduct work activities under the authority of an issued permit to work and within the context and requirements of that permit.

This typically applies to all work done by maintenance staff and contractors and also to any other non-process work performed on the plant

Course Outline

This unit is designed to provide knowledge and practical experience in gas testing atmospheres. 

The following topics will be covered:

Apply for permit

• Confirm the scope and location of the work to be done.
• Identify the need for a work permit for the work to be
• Identify the type of work permit required
• Collate information required for the issue of the permit
• Apply for the permit following the organisation’s requirements

Identify the scope of the permit

• Check that work to be done complies with the permit type

• Check that the scope and location of work comply with the permit issued

• Identify hazards and check that the hazard controls specified on the permit are consistent with the hazard analysis

• Check that preparations specified on the permit have been completed

• Sign onto/receive the permit

Prepare for permitted work

• Maintain safe working conditions and environment by using available isolation procedures and safety equipment

• Monitor plant conditions and hazards to ensure work under the permit remains safe

• Ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected and worn, and emergency equipment is available, as required by the permit and relevant procedures

• Inspect work area to ensure safety and compliance with permit requirements and procedures

Work in accordance with an issued permit

• Use required hazard reduction/control measures

• Comply with requirements of the permit, including safety observer if required
• Display issued permit on work site as required
• Ensure compliance with scope, location and timeframe specified in the permit.
• Seek variation to permit/new permit if job or work environment vary from that specified in the permit
• Suspend job and make worksite safe before leaving job
• Formally seek and receive authorised extensions to the permit when required
• Give end-of-day status report to permit issuer

Complete permit to work carried out

• Obtain new permit or have existing permit revalidated before work is recommenced
• Check the work conducted against the issued permit to ensure that all the nominated work requirements have been satisfied
• Monitor general housekeeping to ensure that the site has been left in a clean and safe condition
• Ensure personal lock outs/tag outs/isolations are removed in accordance with procedures
• Communicate status of the work conducted and the results of the permit to relevant personnel
• Complete documentation as required and have permit signed off when job is completed