5 WHS PROCEDURE P28-01 Page 1 of 7 Issue: 2 1. Intent The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory (TSA-AUE) is committed to the provision of a safe, healthy and injury free environment for all persons within the mission / ministry and operations under its control TSA-AUE recognises that the performance of uncontrolled that can pose a danger to people, plant and property. 2. Purpose To ensure that TSA-AUE effectively manage the operation and performance of all tasks conducted on our sites. 3. Definitions Competent Person: Department: Designated Persons: : Area Restricted Permit Area A person who has, through a combination of training, education and experience, acquired knowledge and skills enabling that person to perform a specified task correctly. An entity within TSA-AUE organization with specific responsibilities to carry out the various functions and activities of, although ultimate control remains under TSA-AUE leadership. Individuals that have received the necessary training / instruction associated with work and are deemed competent in the use of the method being employed to access the area in question. Any process with the potential to generate a source of ignition including the use of tools or equipment, which causes a flame or incendiary sparks, including welding or brazing equipment; chiselling; ramset guns; explosives; portable grinders or saws; soldering irons; or any other flame or spark producing equipment. an area within a radius of 11m from the point of where hot work is being undertaken (including any space above or below the hot work). This space is to be made temporarily safe by various methods to ensure that the risk of fire or explosion resulting from the hot work is minimized. an area or location that incorporates a radius extending 11m from the boundary of the designated area or location in which hot work is NOT allowed to be performed due to the presence of highly flammable or explosive goods, materials, substances, etc. such as LPG, paint, flammable substances storage, etc. UNLESS measures are undertaken to remove or protect the highly flammable or explosive goods, materials, substances, etc. from ignition and specific authorization is granted.
Page 2 of 7 Issue: 2 Permit Exempt Area: Officer: Risk: Risk Assessment: areas that have been designed, constructed and maintained to safely accommodate ignition producing activities on a regular or ongoing basis. This would normally include maintenance or engineering workshops, welding bays, sealed open yard areas [under normal conditions] where there is at least 11m from any building or fence line. A person who is specifically commissioned for ministry within TSA. This ministry ranges from evangelical to pastoral duties as well as community service and administrative responsibilities. (In relation to any potential injury or harm) The likelihood and consequence of that injury or harm occurring. The overall process of estimating the magnitude of risk and deciding what actions will be taken. 4. Methodology All conducted outside any TSA-AUE designated Permit Exempt Area is to be managed by way of a Permit 5. Procedure Identifying Restricted and Exempt Permit Areas TSA-AUE shall identify all Restricted and Exempt Permit areas. The hazards associated with each of the Restricted Permit areas shall be documented, along with their risks. By default, all remaining areas will be deemed as requiring a Permit. Restricted and Exempt Permit areas shall be determined by Officers / Management in consultation with relevant workers or their representatives. Once all areas have been determined and reviewed they shall be identified on a Permit Register. Relevant workers shall be informed of the contents of the Permit Register so that compliance with this procedure can be achieved. Permit TSA-AUE shall ensure that any hot work being conducted at any TSA-AUE location other than a designated Permit Exempt Area (eg a workshop) will require a permit. Every attempt should be made to prevent hot work activities occurring in Restricted Permit Areas. In addition to the Designated Person, relevant Officer / senior workplace management shall approve any hot work performed in these areas and only after confirming all relevant controls have been implemented to address the hazards identified from the register (as detailed above). Any task requiring a Permit must be completed within the time indicated on the Hot Work Permit. A Permit applies to one day or shift only. All sections of the permit must be considered and completed including the hazard identification, risk assessment with each individual control measure reviewed and noted.
Page 3 of 7 Issue: 2 No task is considered complete until the person doing the task has signed and the person authorising the permit has signed off as completed. In order to issue a Permit the process detailed below is to be followed:- Test and make safe areas that are suspected of containing explosive atmospheres (test results to be < 5% l.e.l) Remove all combustible materials, flammable liquids, gases & dusts within an 11m radius of where the hot work is being carried out. Cover all immovable combustibles within a 11m radius of the hot work with fire resistant tarps/blankets or metal shields Cover, blank off, isolate or seal all open pipes, valves & vents, floor & wall openings, duct work, drains, pits, depressions and electrical cabling Clean floors of oil, grease and debris Suspend fire resistant tarps/blankets to contain sparks to within 1 meter of the immediate work Ensure adequate ventilation is available Place screens around the hot work to protect people walking through the area Display "Danger - in Progress" signs in prominent positions, where appropriate Provide all relevant PPE and ensure all persons performing the hot work have received the necessary information, instruction or training to use the PPE identified Ensure emergency response measures have been identified and implemented. Implement a designated Fire Watch. Designated Person The permit shall only be completed by a competent "designated person"; this person will be the TSA-AUE officer / manager responsible for the work being undertaken at the location. The Designated Person shall: Inspect the or Restricted Area to determine that the conditions of the permit have been met prior to signing the Permit. Inspect the or Restricted Area prior to and/or after the completion of the and perform a risk assessment of the area. Ensure a Fire Watch will be provided during and for at least 60 minutes after work, including any break activity. Ensure monitoring of the hot work area for up to an additional three (3) hours after the 60 minute fire watch if warranted by a risk assessment. Inspect the or Restricted Area after the fire monitoring period; Sign off the Permit; and Remove the Permit from the area to a central document retention location and retain the permit for 2 years. When issuing the permit the Designated Person shall give consideration to the following: Whether the hot work can cause false activation of the fire protection system and therefore what if any system isolations may be required; The emergency evacuation procedures;
Page 4 of 7 Issue: 2 The adequacy of the ventilation in and around where the hot work is to be performed. and, In all instances when is required in a or Restricted Area, serious consideration should be given to moving the work to a non Area or completing the task by another method that does not involve. Emergencies Whenever there are risks from undertaking hot work activities, appropriate emergency procedures and facilities, including first aid, must be established and provided. In most cases fire emergency procedures established as part of a worksite s Emergency Response Plan will be sufficient, however, consideration should also be given to the following factors to determine any additional requirements needed for the actual hot work to be performed:- Location of the work area and accessibility / retrieval implications Communications with persons performing the hot work Accessibility to First aid Notification of local emergency services if they are to be relied on for rescue Any additional PPE required for emergency rescue situations Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) TSA-AUE shall ensure the following required items of PPE are available, additional to the PPE requirements for general work in the area, when performing. Eye Protection: safety glasses, safety goggles, welding shield or welding goggles as appropriate. Respiratory Protection: a full-face canister respirator must be on hand for use when carrying out on ammonia systems. Hand Protection: safety gloves where applicable. Clothing should be made of natural fibres or appropriately fire-resistant to afford protection from sparks and/or flash during hot work. Fire Safety Equipment TSA-AUE shall ensure the following fire safety equipment, appropriate to the task is available and on hand, operational and ready for use: Suitable fire extinguishers, Fire hose, Fire resistant blankets/tarps, Welding screens. Fire Watch When carrying out outside any designated hot work area a second person must act as a Fire Watch. This person is responsible for watching the area during the for potential ignition sources and extinguishing any sparks that are generated. On completion of the the Fire Watch must: Have the Designated Person perform a risk assessment of the Area, Complete the fire monitoring period if required and as specified by the Designated Person,
Page 5 of 7 Issue: 2 Sign off the Permit, Have the Designated Person perform a final inspection of the area giving due consideration to the issues identified below and sign off the Permit. Training All relevant areas have cooled down and there are no remaining hot spots that could start a fire All protective equipment, blankets, tarps and screens used have been returned to their original positions All work debris has been removed The work area has been made safe TSA-AUE shall ensure in addition to the competency required to perform, the person carrying out the, the Fire Watch and the Designated Person all are competent with the: Use of fire equipment, Inspection, use and maintenance of the appropriate PPE, Site evacuation procedure, Isolation procedure relevant to the nature of the task. TSA- ET shall ensure that all personnel required to: Issue a hot work permit; or Supervise or manage people performing hot work; Shall be appropriately trained, with this training, as a minimum, addressing: 1. The hazards of hot work 2. The assessment procedures required - including use of the approved permit 3. The control measures required 4. The emergency procedures & facilities that may be required 5. The selection, use and maintenance of safety equipment, including firefighting equipment 6. The applicable legislative requirements All training shall include a formal competency assessment, including both theory and practical component as appropriate. Records shall be retained for a minimum of the term of the worker's tenure and in line with TSA-AUE WHS Document Retention Matrix F12-02. Reviewing the Effectiveness of Control Measures In consultation with relevant workers and / or their representatives TSA-AUE shall ensure control measures identified from hot work permits and the process of identifying hot work permit areas are reviewed every five (5) years or under any of the following circumstances:- Persons working in or responsible for hot work activities have raised concerns over hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures. New control measures have become available that will make the hot work safer. Changes to the manner in which hot work is undertaken that may impact on the hazards identified and their associated control measures less / ineffective.
Page 6 of 7 Issue: 2 There is new or amended legislation introduced or new information becomes available that indicates current controls would no longer be legislatively compliant or effective. A request is made to review the hot work activities by a Health and Safety Representative of workers performing the hot work. An incident has occurred as a result of undertaking hot work. 6. Monitoring and Review Compliance with this procedure shall be reviewed and its effectiveness evaluated across TSA- AUE, in accordance with the WHS Planning, Monitoring and Review and Auditing Procedures. Key aspects of this procedure s implementation shall be monitored via:- Completed Permits PPE / Equipment Inspection Records Management meeting minutes shall record the outcomes of any discussions relating to monitoring and review activities. 7. Auditable Records Auditable Record Responsibility Location Register of Restricted and Permit Exempt Areas Permits PPE Inspection records Equipment Inspection records Equipment Maintenance records Emergency Procedures Training records WHS Committee / consultative forum meeting minutes Management Review Meeting minutes Internal References TSA-AUE WHS Hazard Management policy WHS 004 TSA-AUE WHS Hazard Management procedure WHSP4-01 TSA-AUE WHS Hazard Identification procedure WHSP4-02 TSA-AUE WHS Risk Assessment and Control Procedure WHSP4-03 TSA-AUE WHS Hazard Identification Checklist F4-01 TSA-AUE WHS Risk Assessment and Control Form F4-02 TSA-AUE WHS Training policy WHS 005
Page 7 of 7 Issue: 2 TSA-AUE WHS Training procedure WHSP5-01 TSA-AUE WHS Document Retention Matrix F12-02 TSA-AUE WHS policy WHS 028 TSA-AUE WHS Permit F28-01 TSA-AUE WHS Permit register F28-02