S2 OHS 56

Permit to Work Procedure

OH&S System - Corporate Page 1 of 6

PERMIT TO WORK PROCEDURE

1.0 PURPOSE

1.1 This procedure is a requirement of the National Self Insurer OHS Audit Tool.
The Permit to work system aims to ensure proper consideration is given to the
risks of a particular task. The permit is a written document which authorises
certain people to carry out specific work, at certain times and dates. The permit
sets out the main precautions required to complete the job safely. Actual
permits for higher risk activities are attached to the relevant individual OHS
Procedures.

2.0 SCOPE

2.1 Permit to Work shall be applied to the following planned work, see definitions for
further information:

2.1.1 Working at Heights (above 3 metres)

2.1.2 Confined Spaces Entry

2.1.3 Working with Bonded Asbestos

2.1.4 Working Near Overhead Power lines (closer than 3 meters)

2.1.5 High Voltage Installations

2.1.6 Contractors performing any of the above work activities

3.0 REFERENCES AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS

3.1 Associated Policy, Procedures and Guidelines:

3.1.1 Shoalhaven City Council OHS Risk Management Policy

3.1.2 Shoalhaven City Council Risk Management Procedure

3.1.3 Shoalhaven City Council Contractor Management Safety Procedure

3.1.4 Shoalhaven City Council Energy Isolation Procedure

3.1.5 Shoalhaven City Council Working at Heights Procedure

3.1.6 Shoalhaven City Council Removal of Bonded Asbestos Guidelines

3.1.7 Shoalhaven City Council Confined Space Work

Unique Document Document Name: Permit to Responsible Group: General Trim Reference:
Number: S2 OHS 34 Work Guideline Manager File No: 6841-05 PRD09/159
Adopted: 18.02.2008 Last Amended:06/07/2010 Review Date: 06/07/2013 Version: 2 Page 1 of 6
 S2 OHS 56
Permit to Work Procedure
OH&S System - Corporate Page 2 of 6

3.1.8 Shoalhaven City Council Electrical Safety Procedure for Cranes and
Plant

3.1.9 NSW Occupational Health & Safety Act 2000

3.1.10 NSW Occupational Health & Safety Regulation 2001

3.1.11 AS/NZS 4360:2004 Risk Management

3.1.12 AS/NZS 2865:2001 Safe work in Confined Spaces

3.1.13 AS/NZS 1891.4 Industrial Fall Arrest systems

3.1.14 NOHSC: 2018 (2005) Code of Practice for the Management and Control
of Asbestos in Workplaces

4.0 DEFINITIONS

Asbestos The immediate area in which work on asbestos contaminated

Work Area material is taking place. The boundaries of the asbestos work area
must be determined by a risk assessment.
Bonded The removal of less than 10 square meters of any material that
Asbestos contains asbestos requires a permit to work. Bonded asbestos may
Permit to Work consist of cement or various resin/binders and cannot be crushed by
hand when dry. Examples of bonded asbestos include electrical
metering boards, asbestos cement pipes and asbestos lined brake
pads and clutch parts. Refer to the Bonded Asbestos Removal
Guidelines for regulations on quantities greater than 10 square
meters.
Authorised A person who is defined in the individual relating OHS Procedure as
Person an authorised Person.
Competent Person who has acquired through training, qualification or
person experience, or a combination, the knowledge and skills to carry out
that task.
Confined Space Confined space permit to work is required for entry into all confined
Permit to Work spaces.
In relation to a place of work, means an enclosed or partially
enclosed space that;
(a) is not intended or designed primarily as a place of work,
(b) is at atmospheric pressure while persons are in it,
(c) may have an atmosphere with potentially harmful contaminants,
an unsafe level of oxygen or stored substances that may cause
engulfment; and may (but need not) have restricted means of entry
and exit.
Examples of confined spaces are as follows;
storage tanks, tank cars, process vessels, boilers, pressure
vessels,

Unique Document Document Name: Permit to Responsible Group: General Trim Reference:
Number: S2 OHS 34 Work Guideline Manager File No: 6841-05 PRD09/159
Adopted: 18.02.2008 Last Amended:06/07/2010 Review Date: 06/07/2013 Version: 2 Page 2 of 6
 S2 OHS 56
Permit to Work Procedure
OH&S System - Corporate Page 3 of 6

silos and other tank-like compartments,

open-topped spaces such as pits or degreasers,
pipes, sewers, shafts, ducts and similar structures,
shipboard spaces entered through a small hatchway or
access point,
cargo tanks, cellular double bottom tanks, duct keels, ballast
and oil tanks and void spaces (but not including dry cargo
holds).
Hand over Means a time when the site has an approved permit to undertake
Hand back work by qualified / competent workers.
High risk Means any of the following:
Construction (a) construction work involving structural alterations that require
work temporary support,
(b) construction work at a height above 3 m,
(c) construction work involving excavation to a depth greater than 1.5
m,
(d) demolition work for which a licence is not required under Chapter
10 to carry on the business of that work,
(e) construction work in tunnels,
(f) construction work involving the use of explosives,
(g) construction work near traffic or mobile plant,
(h) construction work in or around gas or electrical installations,
(i) construction work over or adjacent to water where there is a risk
of drowning.
Permit to Work (a) work permit authorises persons to undertake specific work in a
designated area.
(b) The permits are designed to define the safety precautions to be
taken depending on the nature of the work being performed and
the hazards involved.
(c) Methods to be used and precautions to be taken shall be agreed
to, by parties beforehand and clearly stated on the work permit.
(d) All parties must sign off before any work commences.
(e) Work permits shall be valid until the specified date on the work
permit.
(f) A contractor is required to have a work permit to undertake
hazardous work on site.
Risk a process that estimates the effects or consequences of hazardous
assessment events on people, property and the environment. The process would
consider the likelihood of occurrence and the severity of the
consequences.
Safe Work a statement that:
Method (a) describes how work is to be carried out;
Statement (b) identifies the work activities assessed as having safety risk;
(c) identifies the safety risks; and
(d) describes the control measures that will be applied to the work
activities, and includes a description of the equipment used in the
Unique Document Document Name: Permit to Responsible Group: General Trim Reference:
Number: S2 OHS 34 Work Guideline Manager File No: 6841-05 PRD09/159
Adopted: 18.02.2008 Last Amended:06/07/2010 Review Date: 06/07/2013 Version: 2 Page 3 of 6
 S2 OHS 56
Permit to Work Procedure
OH&S System - Corporate Page 4 of 6

work, the standards or codes to be complied with, the

qualifications of the personnel doing the work and the training
required to do the work.
Working at Working at heights refers to any work related activity being
Heights Permit undertaken at an elevated position, above 2 metres where there is
to Work the potential to fall. Falls from heights can also include working in
quarries, pits, wells, excavation and cliffs. Control measures must
also be taken when working in the above areas as the potential to fall
from heights exists when entering or exiting.
If the work to be carried out is at a height of 3 metres or above a
permit to work must be completed.
Overhead Permit to work is required for planned work near (within 3 metres) of
Power lines overhead power lines. If the plant or equipment required for the job
Permit to Work will encroach within 3 metres of over head power lines, a permit to
work must be completed,
High Voltage Any work near high voltage installations (within 3 metres of high
Installations voltage installations) requires a permit to work. This work is only to
be carried out by Shoalhaven City Council Communications and
Electrical services.

5.0 DESCRIPTION

5.1 A Permit is a formal written authority given to appropriately trained personnel to

carry out work in areas where particular hazards or adverse conditions may be
present. The permit is issued by an authorised person and confirms that the job in
question has been assessed and clearly defines the safety precautions to be
taken. The permit is in addition to the risk assessment process and any other
documentation such as a safe work method statement, safe work procedure or
standard operating procedure.

A permit to work can be used over a series of dates and times providing the
permit is for the same location and work activity, dates and times of work must be
listed on the permit.

5.1.1 A permit states;

(a) The exact identity, nature and extent of the job and the hazards
involved. It also outlines any limitations on the extent of the work and
the time during which the job may be carried out.
(b) Specifies the precautions which need to be taken, including safe
isolation from potential risks such as electricity and hazardous
substances.
(c) Provides a system of continuous control and a record showing the
nature of the work. Provides a process for times when work has to be
suspended.
(d) Provides for cross-referencing of permits for work activities that may
interact or affect one another.
Unique Document Document Name: Permit to Responsible Group: General Trim Reference:
Number: S2 OHS 34 Work Guideline Manager File No: 6841-05 PRD09/159
Adopted: 18.02.2008 Last Amended:06/07/2010 Review Date: 06/07/2013 Version: 2 Page 4 of 6
 S2 OHS 56
Permit to Work Procedure
OH&S System - Corporate Page 5 of 6

5.2 Provides a formal handover process for use when the permit is issued for a
period longer than one shift; and provides a formal hand back procedure to
ensure that part of the plant affected by the work is in a safe condition and ready
for reinstatement. Responsibilities of Supervisor or Authorised person
issuing a Permit to Work.

5.2.1 Ensure all hazards associated with the proposed job have been
identified, assessed and controlled.

5.2.2 Be familiar with the intended task(s)

5.2.3 Ensure that the area and equipment are made safe before hand over.

5.2.4 Outline how the work is to be undertaken (e.g. procedures,

precautions, equipment, location, start time, duration) - verbally and
where necessary in writing.

5.2.5 Ensure that permits are cross referenced with other permits (e.g.
confined space entry permit and hot work permit in confined spaces)

5.2.6 Records of work permits shall be kept onsite within easy access along
with other OHS documentation e.g. Risk Assessments & SWMS

5.2.7 Ensure the permit is granted before work commences.

5.2.8 Ensure that the person(s) doing the work are appropriately qualified to
do the work.

5.2.9 Ensure appropriate persons are informed when a job is completed or

suspended and that the permit is cancelled.

5.3 Responsibilities of the person undertaking the work ( permit holder)

5.3.1 Satisfy that they understand the requirements of the permit.

5.3.2 Are skilled, qualified trained and competent to perform the work,
including the use of any personnel protective equipment or rescue
equipment.

5.3.3 Adhere to the Permit to Work requirements.

5.3.4 Ensure the job is performed in a safe manner by identifying hazards

and have the necessary controls in place.

5.3.5 Make the work area safe, including equipment and seek immediate
advice if in doubt or if circumstances or conditions change.

Unique Document Document Name: Permit to Responsible Group: General Trim Reference:
Number: S2 OHS 34 Work Guideline Manager File No: 6841-05 PRD09/159
Adopted: 18.02.2008 Last Amended:06/07/2010 Review Date: 06/07/2013 Version: 2 Page 5 of 6
 S2 OHS 56
Permit to Work Procedure
OH&S System - Corporate Page 6 of 6

5.3.6 Ensure that all tags and signs are prominently displayed so that
personnel are aware that the equipment etc. is isolated / not to be
operated.

5.4 Display of Signs.

5.4.1 Permits are to be onsite and available for inspection whilst work is
being undertaken.

5.5 Record Keeping

5.5.1 All records are to be kept as per the Records Policy (for 10 years).

6.0 QUALITY CONTROL

6.1 The implementation of this procedure shall be audited through workplace

inspections and desk top audits.

7.0 APPENDICES

Nil refer to relevant individual OHS Procedures for each Permit.

8.0 RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPLEMENTATION

8.1 The Human Resource manager is allocated overall responsibility for the
implementation of this procedure and all documents prepared for inclusion onto
the OH&S Management System.

9.0 PROCEDURE OWNER

9.1 The OHS Unit (OHS Coordinator) is assigned ownership to ensure the procedure
is maintained and updated.

10.0 REVIEW OF DOCUMENT

10.1 This procedure shall be reviewed every three years or earlier. Early review of
this procedure shall occur in response to changes in:

10.1.1 Legislation, Australian Standards, Codes of Practice and/or

10.1.2 OHSR Management System and/or

10.1.3 National Self-Insurer OHS Audit Tool

Unique Document Document Name: Permit to Responsible Group: General Trim Reference:
Number: S2 OHS 34 Work Guideline Manager File No: 6841-05 PRD09/159
Adopted: 18.02.2008 Last Amended:06/07/2010 Review Date: 06/07/2013 Version: 2 Page 6 of 6