October 2001
General
Many operations that take place on board ship are routine and the people employed in them are well aware of the risks and dangers involved. However, some operations are inherently more hazardous and these should be controlled by a "permit to work" system. These hazards may vary from servicing the radar scanner to the generation of poisonous fumes whilst welding in a crew drying room.
A permit to work should be issued prior to any hazardous undertaking in order to identify the hazards and to ensure that they are effectively controlled. The issuing of a permit to work will not make the job inherently safe but it will focus minds and attention on the risks involved. The permit to work is not a "permit to enter an enclosed space" and should work be required in an enclosed space, the permit to work must only be issued after entry in to enclosed space procedures have been complied with in full.*
When the operation has been completed, the work should be checked and the permit to work revoked.
For operations requiring welding or burning, permits to work are sometimes referred to as "hot work permits"
The Permit
This is an assessment of risk made by a competent officer and set out in writing. It must be readily understood and provide a step by step guide to those responsible for progressing the work. The permit may resemble a form or simply a check list to be ticked off and signed at each stage of the compliance. The following guiding principles should apply:-
a) The information given on the permit to work should be precise, detailed and accurate.
b) The permit should be recognised as an overriding work instruction until such time it is cancelled.
c) The permit should state the location of the work to be done, the nature and type of safety equipment required and the names of the crew members assigned to the task.
d) The permit should specify the period of its validity (which under normal circumstances should not exceed 24 hours) and only the work specified in the permit should be undertaken.
e) Before signing the permit the responsible officer should personally check that all the measures specified have been implemented and all the safety gear has been issued.
f) The person responsible for carrying out the work should counter-sign the permit to indicate his understanding of the hazards involved, the precautions to be taken and the safety gear to be used.
Ventilation
When cutting (burning) and welding are taking place, particular attention should be given to ventilation. Gases given off by welding rods, acting upon some modern materials, are often toxic and on occasions may prove fatal. Instructions on hot work permits should include the removal of dangerous materials, ensure that no volatile gases or other noxious substances remain and give full details of the ventilation required. In many instances a full permit to work system may be over elaborate but there are obvious needs to control strictly hot work on tankers and gas carriers.
Use of Notices
In many cases, particularly when working aloft or on electrical equipment, the use of notices are invaluable. These notice should be large, legible, firmly secured in situ and, most importantly, be easily seen and understood - by visitors and crew alike.
Duties of the Master
The master is personally responsible for the safety of his crew and must take particular interest when hazardous operations are considered. He must ensure that all hazards have been identified and the "responsible officer" is competent to take charge of the operation.
Responsibilities of the Officer in Charge
He must ensure the necessary safety equipment is in place, is correctly used and that the people carrying out the work understand their duties. During hot work he must ensure that fire appliances are to hand and that adequate positive ventilation is available and maintained.
Responsibilities of the Shipowner
It is in the interests of the shipowner that procedures for ensuring safe working practices are clearly laid down and that the master, as the owner's agent, ensures that such procedures are observed on board the ship.
* Click here to view Guidance Notes on Enclosed Spaces
