This document is intended as a general guideline to assist Contractors with
understanding and applying Safe Work Practice expectations.
Posted March 29, 2012 2012 Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Electrical
2 Summary The Electrical Safe Work Practice describes procedures, methods and practices associated with all electrical work activities in drilling and production operations, for all employees and contractors. Contractors are expected to adhere to their own Electrical Safe Work Practice Program. Contents Purpose, Scope & Objectives Procedures Resources, Roles and Responsibilities Measurement and Verification Continual Improvement
Guidelines The Electrical Safe Work Practice describes procedures, methods and practices associated with all electrical work activities in drilling and production operations, for all employees and contractors. These procedures are to prevent injury to personnel. The electrical safe work practice applies for systems of 50 volts or greater. Objectives Safeguard against electrocution, shock, arc flash & arc burns during performance of electrical work activities. Provide for protection of personnel & equipment Establish uniform procedures for doing electrical work Train personnel carrying out the work, the nature and extent of the job task, the hazards involved, and any limitations on the extent of the work and the time during which the job may be carried out. Specify the precautions to be taken, including safe isolation from potential risks such as hazardous substances and electricity. Equipment is considered to be in an electrical de-energized safe state after it is locked, tried, and tested to be de-energized. Definition of an Electrical Area: Class 1 Division 1 locations in which ignitable concentrations of flammable gasses or vapors can exist under normal operating conditions Class1 Division 2 location is a location in which flammable liquids or flammable gasses are handled, processed, or used, but in which the liquids, vapors, or gasses will normally be confined within closed containers or systems from which they can escape in case of accidental rupture or break down of such systems or in the case of abnormal operation of the equipment.
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3 An Energized Electrical Work Permit WILL be required: When any physical alteration of electrical equipment is performed while energized such as making or tightening connections, removing or replacing components, etc., an energized electrical work permit is required. Requirements: Energized Electrical Work Permit, appropriate PEP, Electrical Rated: Gloves, Electrical Face shield, FRC, or PPE according to the level of risk. See table C1 & C2 in forms, tools section for appropriate level of PPE. Here are two common examples that require Energized Electrical Work Permits, and the appropriate PPE while doing them energized: Removing or replacing a 208 or a 480 VAC MCC bucket, while energized. Removing or replacing a circuit breaker on a 120/208 VAC lighting panel while energized If the systems were de-energized then an energized electrical work permit would not be needed, however the PPE would then be the normal PPE for daily tasks.
The above captures several circumstances that require the need for an Energized Electrical Work Permit. However, not every scenario can be listed. Many situations will have to be evaluated individually. An Energized Electrical Work Permit will NOT be required: The work tasks listed below may be performed by a qualified worker without an Energized Electrical permit. Any work tasks other than those listed below must be approved by local Operations Supervisor, OIM or Field Coordinator (or in Deepwater and Operations Representative on location who acknowledges that all permit conditions are met and the work site has been inspected) and require a written; JSA, general work permit and energized electrical work permit if the work is to be done while the equipment is energized.
A qualified worker may perform the following jobs: Use of approved voltage detector to measure voltage on equipment not placed in an electrically safe working condition Attaching grounds Checking electrical phase synchronization (phasing) prior to closing a switch Using approved live-line tools to perform switching operations Maintenance troubleshooting and diagnostic testing that must be performed on energized equipment but require the qualified worker to take special precautions, such as those listed below: Voltage phasing Preventive maintenance observations and meter checks Predictive maintenance observations and infrared thermography Taking voltage and current readings with a meter Re-setting device overloads Since the above activities listed as exceptions place the worker in close proximity to energized equipment or exposed live parts, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) shall be worn. Electrical
4 PPE for employee working on electrical equipment may include: Electrically rated face shield or flash suit hood Steel toed shoes, safety glasses, hard hats, goggles Voltage rated insulating gloves with outer protective leather glove Long sleeve flame resistant clothing and/or flash suit Under garments made from non-melting fabric (no polyester or synthetic fabrics which can melt against the skin) Procedures Persons Performing Work under the Energized Electrical Work Permit Two Electrical Qualified personnel (ie., SCADA Tech, Electrician, Mechanic, or operator who has attended the Electrical Safe Work Practice Training) actually doing the work will be covered by the Energized Electrical Work Permit. After discussing the work scope with the OS, OIM, FC. (or in Deepwater an Operations Representative on location who acknowledges that all permit conditions are met and the work site has been inspected) these persons will agree that there is no reasonable way to De-energize the equipment, then they must all agree the work the work can be performed safely while energized, then the OS, OIM and the FC ( or in Deepwater an Operations Representative on location who acknowledges that all permit conditions are met and the work site has been inspected) AND both Electrical Qualified persons will sign the Energized Electrical Work Permit to signify that they have been informed of the appropriate hazards, the work tasks and associated Safe Work Practice(s) and Permit(s). Personnel Changes If at any time anyone who has signed the Energized Electrical Work Permit becomes unavailable (through crew change, other job duties, illness, etc.) then the Energized Electrical Work Permit is considered invalid. The process for the new Energized Electrical Work Permit starts all over. Additionally, the Energized Electrical Work Permit is valid only so long as the specified conditions are maintained. The intent is to maintain continuity of the safe condition of the job. The same applies to any other permits that accompany the Energized Electrical Work Permit. Application process for an Energized Electrical Work Permit An application for an Energized Electrical Work Permit shall be requested by the Electrically Qualified Person who will submit the application to the OS, OIM, and FC (or in Deepwater an Operations Representative on location who acknowledges that all permit conditions are met and the work site has been inspected) by completing parts 1 and 2 of the Energized Electrical Work Permit Form. Lead Time for an Energized Electrical Work Permit Energized Electrical Work Permit must be applied for prior to work beginning. Since Energized Electrical Work Permits typically cover one specific task of Very High Risk and requires the OS, OIM, and FC ( or in Deepwater an Operations Representative on location who acknowledges that all permit conditions are met and the work site has been inspected) signatures, as well as 2 electrically qualified persons, specific safe guards, and parameters will need to be filled in on Part II, it may take several days to get the permit approved. This requirement is to ensure: That it is absolutely a necessity not to de-energize, sufficient time is allocated for planning the work, early communication of requirements for preparation of the energized work, special precautions are identified and appropriate PPE and personnel are available. Electrical
5 Duration of Permits to Work In general, Energized Electrical Work Permit will be issued for a 12 hour period, typically a single shift. If necessary, the OS, OIM, and FC (or in Deepwater an Operations Representative on location who acknowledges that all permit conditions are met and the work site has been inspected) can issue a Energized Electrical Work Permit for a longer period of time but not to exceed 18 hours. This should only be done after careful consideration of the activities, personnel involved, etc. Incomplete Work "Incomplete work" refers to a task/activity that has been started but is not finished and will at some future time require further work. Precautions left in place shall be noted on the Energized Electrical Work Permit. A new Energized Electrical Work Permit with references to prior precautions shall be completed prior to the work resuming on the night shift or the following day. Completed Work "Completed work" is the term used to identify those jobs that are finished. No further work will be required under the work scope as specified on the Energized Electrical Work Permit and applicable specific permit(s). If work is complete then it is important that not only is the worksite left clean and hazard free, but also that the relevant OS, OIM and FC (or in Deepwater an Operations Representative on location who acknowledges that all permit conditions are met and the work site has been inspected) are informed. Suspended Work All Energized Electrical Work Permit will be suspended: If there is a General Alarm/Emergency Change in SimOp status (Normal. Alert, Emergency) For operational reasons as necessary (i.e. use of Stop Work Authority, etc) When an emergency alarm sounds, work must stop and everyone must proceed to his/her designated muster stations. Energized Electrical Work Permit will not be reactivated until the Operations Field Coordinator has verified that it is safe for work to resume. Energized Electrical Work Permit issued in the area affected by the emergency shall be identified and that work may be delayed pending the Field Coordinators approval. In the event of work stoppage due to emergency drill, authorized work may resume upon official notification by the Field Coordinator that the drill has ended. Distribution of Energized Electrical Work Permit Copies A completed copy of the Energized Electrical Work Permit shall be filed with the Permit To Work in the Permit to Work folder at the main facility or headquarters of the facility where the work is performed. A copy of the Permit to Work and all associated permits / forms shall be in the possession of the Electrical Qualified Person in charge of the Energized work after approval. The Electrical Qualified Person shall ensure a copy is available at the work site at all times while the work is on-going.
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6 Retention of Permits The documents associated with the Permit to Work Process are considered critical documents.It is a requirement that originals of the permits are retained for a period of thirty-six (36) months after being signed off unless they are associated with an incident and then they will be filed with the incident report. How to Complete Energized Electrical Work Permit Form Part l - Work Scope The Energized Electrical Work Permit is completed by the Electrically Qualified Person going to perform the work. When completing this section of the form, the following points should be remembered: Appropriate PPE required An estimate of when the work will start and how long it will take to complete will help with planning this work and other work, production controls, communications between departments/shifts. Precise location description will help avoid mistakes in identification and process/area controls. Clear, concise descriptions of work to be done will limit ambiguity and the possibility of any conflict with other work in the area. It also helps those who may be involved with the Permit to Work Process. The type of equipment that is to be used to carry out the work, (from hand-tools and scaffolding to communication and welding equipment), must be addressed by the appropriate Safe Work Practices. Part ll To be completed by the Electrically Qualified Persons doing the Work These items will be understood by the Electrically Qualified Persons. 1. Detailed job description procedure to be used in performing the above detailed work 2. Description of the Safe Work Practices to be employed 3. Results of the Shock Hazard Analysis 4. Determination of Shock Protection Boundaries 5. Results of Flash Hazard Analysis 6. Determination of the Flash Protection Boundary 7. Necessary personal protective equipment to safely perform the assigned task 8. Means employed to restrict the access of unqualified persons from the work area 9. Evidence of completion of a JSA including discussion of any job-related hazards 10. Do you agree that the above described work can be done safely? Yes No If "No", Discuss with Operations Supervisor, or HES representative. Part lll - Signatures This is the required signature section. The purpose is to identify the specific job title of positions that will be involved in the authorizing process. The clear identity of persons is to ensure that responsibility and communication of planned work is understood by those participating in the process. Electrical
7 The required signatures are: OS, OIM, (signature required prior to work beginning) Field Coordinator (or in Deepwater an operations Representative on location who acknowledges that all permit conditions are met and the work site has been inspected) Two qualified electrical persons that have attended Electrical Safe Work Practice training These signatures authorize the activity providing the precautions listed are complied with. Qualified Electrical Persons Performing the Work This will be the qualified electrical persons performing the task. They sign to acknowledge all conditions and precautions to be observed and that the Energized Electrical Work Permit scope and conditions are understood by workers who will be directly involved. They also agree that the work can be performed safely while energized. Resources, Roles & Responsibilities Operations Supervisor, OIM and Field Coordinator (or in Deepwater an Operations Representative on location who acknowledges that all permit conditions are met and the work site has been inspected) These persons are ultimately responsible for all work performed within their area of authority. While he/she may delegate certain responsibilities, it remains his/her overall responsibility for the control and monitoring of work conditions within his/her area of authority. Person Performing Work The electrically Qualified Persons actually doing the work covered by the Energized Electrical Work Permit signs the Energized Electrical Work Permit to signify that they have been informed of the appropriate work tasks and associated Safe Work Practice(s) and Permit(s). They also agree that the work can be performed safely while energized.
Measurement & Verification The Operations Energized Electrical Work Permit is evaluated through the Field Verification Review Process at the Asset level. In addition, Level 2 reviews will be conducted periodically. Inputs / Leading
Process Outputs / Lagging
List leading indicators Electrical Safe work Practice List lagging indicators %Participation of employees trained on the Electrical Safe Work Practice
PPE Testing, Electrical Rated Gloves Tested every 6 months Near Misses associated with Electrical energy
Accidents, injuries associated with Electrical Energy