HOT WORK AND GENERAL WORK PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

1.0 DISTRIBUTION
All Departments.

2.0 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
INA-03-001 Environment Health and Safety Policy
INA-03-006 Safe handling, Use and Storage of Compressed Gases
INA-03-012 Personnel Protective Equipment

3.0 APPLICABLE FORMS
INA-03-007-01 A Hot Work Permit
INA-03-007-02 A General Work Permit

4.0 APPLICABILITY
This procedure applicable to Xxx India Pvt Ltd, Xxx Plant only

5.0 PURPOSE
To describe requirements for hot work and general work permits.

6.0 SCOPE
To establish the requirements and ensure that all Welding and Cutting operations, excavations or open fire works (Hot works) and construction or maintenance operations (General works) are done in such a manner that ensures employee safety and guards against property loss.

7.0 RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENTS
QA, Production, and Engineering

8.0 RESPONSIBILITY
EHS Coordinator

9.0 DEFINITION

9.1 Welding (burning) and Cutting - The bonding, separation, bending or changing of Metal form by using gases (oxygen. LPG and acetylene) or electric resistance methods or other high temperature methods.

9.2 Open fire work – Any work other than welding and cutting in open air such as burning
of wood, coal etc.

9.3 Excavation – Any chipping or digging work done at any place.

9.4 Grinding – Crushing, drudging, grating, or sharpening work by any electrically driven machine or manual tool.

10.0 PROCEDURE

10.1.1 A hot work or general work permit, approved by the EHS Coordinator must be obtained prior to commencement of any hot work or general work operation. The rules covered under this policy shall apply to all Xxx employees and/or contractors alike.

10.2 Application for Hot Work Permit and General Work Permit

10.2.1 After preparing the area for hot work or general work operations, the Xxx Supervisor of the area and the Contract Supervisor shall jointly inspect the set up, fill in the related Permit form (Hot work or General work whichever is applicable), and sign on the permit application.

10.2.2 The Supervisor of the area shall then submit the permit application to the EHS Manager for approval.

10.2.3 Only upon receiving the approval from the EHS Manager, can hot work operations commence.

10.2.4 After the work is completed, the permit shall be returned to the EHS Coordinator for filing.

10.2.5 The permit applications can be obtained from the documentation Center

10.3 Precautions to be taken

10.3.1 The welding, cutting, maintenance, construction and excavation operations shall be properly supervised by the respective department personnel, that all conditions as stipulated in the Hot Work Permit and General Work Permit (which ever is applicable) are followed. The personnel must have a clear understanding of Lock Out and Tag Out, Confined Space Entry and Handling of Compressed Gas Cylinders procedures.

10.3.2 Prior to starting work, all equipment to be worked shall be locked, tagged out, and blanked off, flushed using a non-flammable gas if it contained any flammable substance.

10.3.3 Prior to starting any work, all flammables, combustible liquids, and materials shall be removed from the area (11 meters / 35 feet) or covered with a non-asbestos fire retardant cover. This shall also apply when welding and cutting operations are to be done through a wall or floor.
Exception: All ethylene oxide cylinders (used in welding), empty or full, must be removed from the area.

10.3.4 Prior to starting work, all sewer manholes or catch basins must be covered within 35 feet (11 meters) of work area.

10.3.5 For welding / cutting work in confined spaces, cover or arrange cables to prevent contact with falling sparks.

10.3.6 The frames of welding units, portable or stationery, must be grounded.

10.3.7 Suspend cables on overhead supports, if the cable must be run some distance from the welding unit. Protect cables that must be run from the floor to ensure safe passage.

10.3.8 The oxygen and acetylene cylinders must be handled in accordance with the SOP- INA-03-006 on Safe Handling, Use and Storage of Compressed air.

10.3.9 Goggles and welding screens that give maximum eye protection must be used by operators, welders, and their helpers.

10.3.10 Protective clothing including leather gauntlet gloves must be utilized when performing the works.

10.3.11 Any excavation (chipping or digging) work may create spark. This spark may be a source of fire so the surrounding area must be cleared from flammable substances.

10.3.12 A person must be assigned as a fire watch. The fire watch shall be maintained at all times during the hot works operations. The fire watch shall survey the area during lunch and breaks to ensure that everything is in order. The fire watch shall be responsible for the following:
-Fire extinguisher that must be maintained in the area.
-To ensure that the area is clear of unauthorized personnel during the work.

10.3.13 The hot work and general work permits are only valid for that particular shift only. However, if the hot work or general work is required to extend beyond the shift, then the Xxx Supervisor is required to sign on the daily-inspected column for extension of the permit if there is no change of the nature of works.

10.3.14 The maximum period of the hot work permit is only allowed for one week only.

10.3.5 After the hot work or general work is completed, the following steps shall be taken:
-The fire watch shall check for hot slag or metal, latent smoldering, fire, or any sharp object or scrap.
-The area shall be well ventilated after welding is completed and throughout the clean up.
-Metal slag and other debris shall be cleaned up and removed when cooled.
-The in-charge of the area, the Contract Supervisor and the EHS Coordinator shall conduct a joint inspection of the area, prior to adding the final closing signature on the permit.
-The area shall be cleared off all equipment and all wastes shall be disposed off.

11.0 ATTACHMENTS
Appendix-1: List of jobs considered under Hot Work and General Work