4.

Work Permit System

4.1 Purpose

This chapter describes minimum requirements of the Saudi Aramco (SA) Work Permit
System at maintenance and/or construction work sites that apply to SA employees and
contractors.

4.2 References

SA General Instructions (GIs):

GI 2.100, Work Permit System

GI 2.709, Gas Testing With Portable Gas Monitors

SA Safety Handbook, Minimum Safety Rules

4.3 General Requirements

4.3.1 Work permits shall be used to control hazardous work activities at all SA
facilities and locations. For SA operated facilities and for projects after the
facility, or portion thereof, has been certified as mechanically complete, the
SA work permit system shall be implemented per GI 2.100.

4.3.2 During the construction phase of grassroots projects and before a facility,
or portion thereof, is certified as mechanically complete, the contractor
shall implement an approved work permit system in line with GI 2.100 for
all hazardous work requiring the appropriate planning, control, and
authority, which does not meet the criteria defined in Section 4.3.1, to
ensure safe execution of construction activities. The contractor’s work
permit system shall be subject to approval by the SA proponent
organization (SAPO).

4.4 Certification

4.4.1 Work permit issuers and receivers shall have a valid SA issuer or receiver
certificate, respectively. They shall attend and pass the work permit issuer
or receiver course conducted by SA Training & Development, as well as
any required prerequisite training per GI 2.100.

4.4.2 The issuer/receiver’s division head or, in the case of a contractor, the
SAPO division head who has contractual authority over the contractor,
shall sign the issuer/receiver certificate.

4.4.3 Issuers/receivers with signed certificates from one organization shall not
issue/receive permits at a different organization/facility, unless the
responsible SAPO division head signs a reissued certificate that reflects the
current organization, or some other method of agreement between the two
organizations is agreed.

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4.5 Permit Types

4.5.1 There are four types of SA work permits. As per GI 2.100, they are:

Equipment Opening/Line Break, Form 9873-1 (yellow)

The purpose of the Equipment Opening/Line Break Permit is to ensure that

proper planning and precautions are taken during work activities associated
with the initial opening of equipment, vessels, or piping that is part of a
closed system that contains (or has the potential to contain) flammable,
combustible, toxic, or injurious materials (e.g., high-pressure steam).

This permit does not authorize releases; rather it is to ensure that the
appropriate precautions are in place to prevent a release.

Hot Work, Form 9873-2 (red)

The purpose of the Hot Work Permit is to control work activities that may
produce sufficient energy to ignite flammable atmospheres or combustible
materials.

Activities in restricted areas requiring a hot work permit include, but are
not limited to:
 Open flames, welding, or torch cutting.
 Use of spark-producing tools or equipment.
 Abrasive blasting.
 Use of internal combustion engines.
 Work on or in close proximity to live electrical apparatus.
 Use of a device not rated for the electrical classification of the area.

Cold Work, Form 9873-3 (blue)

The purpose of the Cold Work Permit is to control work activities that will
not produce sufficient energy to ignite flammable atmospheres or
combustible material but could contribute to injury.

This permit may be used for, but not be limited to, the following work in
restricted areas:
 Structural demolition or collapse of nonoperational buildings.
 Removal or disturbance of asbestos-containing material.
 Work activities involving cryogenic materials.
 Scaffold erection or dismantling.
 Painting.
 Excavating by hand.

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  Concrete pouring and formwork.
 Use of hand tools that have no electrical power.

Confined Space Entry, Form 9873-4 (green)

The purpose of the Confined Space Entry Permit is to ensure:

 Proper preparation of confined spaces prior to entry.
 Safe entry by personnel, including provisions for rescue.
 Restoration of confined spaces.

Work activities inside a confined space may require a Hot or Cold Work
Permit to be issued in combination with the Confined Space Entry Permit.
Refer to Chapter I-6, Confined Spaces, for further requirements.

4.6 Issuance and Approval of Permits

4.6.1 Issuers and receivers shall have in their possession a valid SA work permit
certificate.

4.6.2 Certified permit receivers shall request the proper permit(s) from a SAPO-
certified permit issuer (e.g., supervising operator, operations supervisor)
prior to executing any job. Permits shall identify the specific work to be
performed by the work crew at a specific location.

4.6.3 The issuer shall approve and issue a permit only after he (or his designated
representative) has performed the following:

A. Verified that “Section 1 - Work Description” of the work permit form has
been completed. Work permits shall clearly specify date and duration of
the work, work location, work to be performed, and equipment to be used
at the job site.

B. Completed “Section 2 - Hazard Identification and Control” of the work

permit form. Work permits shall clearly identify the types of energy,
isolation method(s), potential exposures, required protective equipment,
fire protection methods, additional safety precautions, and actions to be
taken in the event of an emergency. General statements, such as “work
safely” or “wear PPE,” are inadequate and shall not be written on the
permit.

C. Reviewed precautions and restrictions to control the hazards associated

with the job site and/or work activity (see applicable work permit sections
in this instruction) with the receiver and listed them on the work permit.

D. Attached applicable checklists/forms to the work permit that provide

supplemental information and/or approvals for the particular work
activity, including but not limited to excavation checklist, confined space
entry log and gas test form, blind list/isolation plan, critical lift plan, or
hydrotest form. All checklists/forms shall be completed.

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 E. Conducted a joint site inspection with the receiver using the Hazard
Analysis Checklist on the back of the work permit form. The individuals
who participate in the joint site inspection shall sign the Hazard Analysis
Checklist on the work permit to verify the checklist was completed. See
GI 2.100, Supplement 2.100-3 for information regarding conducting the
joint site inspection and completion of the checklist.

4.6.4 The issuer’s and receiver’s signatures, plus any other required
approvals/signatures shall be on the completed permit. Issuers shall obtain
countersignatures from applicable units/departments as needed.

4.6.5 Additional approvals/signatures shall be required for renewed/extended

work permits (see GI 2.100 and Section 4.7 of this chapter), as well as
when certain atmospheric limits are present at the job site (see GI 2.709).

4.7 Issued Permits

4.7.1 Permits are normally issued for a single operating shift.

4.7.2 Permits may be renewed for one consecutive operating shift, regardless of
the shift duration, but the total permit duration cannot exceed 24 hours.
This renewal requires the signatures of both the issuer and receiver coming
on shift, and the notification of all countersigning organizations.

4.7.3 Permits (except for equipment opening/line break permits) may be issued
for a period greater than two consecutive operating shifts, but not in excess
of 30 days. This extended duration applies to prolonged construction or
maintenance work where the job site hazards and precautions remain
unchanged. The permit shall be approved by the division head or above of
the issuing and receiving organizations, and the following conditions must
be satisfied:

A. It is highly unlikely that conditions at the job site will change or develop
that would create a hazard to personnel, damage to equipment or facilities,
disruption in operations, or harm the environment.

B. Precautions are taken, prior to performing the work, to ensure safe

conditions throughout the work activities.

C. Both the issuing operation’s division head and the receiver organization’s
division head (and countersignature organizations’ division head, if
applicable) agree to the job conditions and control measures to be used and
shall sign the permit (see GI 2.100 for additional details).

4.7.4 The custody of open work permits shall be transferred to an alternate issuer
in the event that the issuer is required to leave work. This transfer of
custody of the work permit shall follow the same process as a renewed
work permit, however the notification of all countersigning organizations is
not required.

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 4.7.5 Receivers are to remain on the job site at all times. However, if a receiver
must leave the immediate work area, he shall give the permit to another
SA-certified permit receiver. This alternate receiver shall be agreed to in
advance by the issuer and his name, certificate number, and badge number
shall be recorded on the work permit by the issuer.

4.7.6 Receivers shall keep permit copies, either in their possession or posted in
plain view at the job location, at all times, so that it is available for
inspection or cancellation if necessary.

4.8 Canceling Permits

4.8.1 Work permit(s) shall be immediately canceled, the work stopped, and new
permit(s) issued if a change occurs in the work activities or site conditions
that could potentially create an additional hazard to personnel, damage to
equipment or facilities, disruption in operations, or harm to the
environment.
4.8.1.1 When work is stopped the issuer must obtain the work permit,
write on the permit the reason for the work cancelation, the time,
and other relevant information.
4.8.1.2 The issuer and receiver shall take action to correct deficiencies to
allow the job to resume.
4.8.1.3 When all deficiencies have been corrected, the issuer shall issue
a new work permit(s).
4.8.2 The issuer and/or receiver has the responsibility to stop work any time the
job site does not meet the work permit conditions or any applicable SA
safety and health requirements. The issuer and/or receiver shall take action
to correct the deficiencies before work can resume.
4.8.3 In the event of an emergency, all work permits are canceled within the area
affected by the emergency condition and as specified by the Incident
Commander.
4.8.4 Emergency work can be authorized without applicable work permits under
the direction of the Incident Commander. However, the work activity shall
follow all SA safety rules and standards normally applicable for the
specific emergency situation. Once the “All Clear” has been declared, the
work permit system shall be used for all subsequent work activities.

4.9 Closing Out and Filing the Permit

4.9.1 After completion of the job or when the permit’s duration has expired, the
issuer (or his designated representative) shall ensure a joint site inspection
has been conducted with the receiver to verify that the work area has been
left in a safe and secure condition before the work permit can be closed.

Note: During activities involving cutting, welding, or open flame, the 30

minute fire watch period must be completed prior to closing the permit.

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 4.9.2 Work permits shall be closed by both the issuer and receiver signing the
permit form. When distance and remoteness makes signing impractical,
alternative closing method is determined and stated on the work permit
when it is issued.

4.9.3 The original permit shall be maintained on file by the issuing department
for a minimum of 3 months.

4.10 Permit Rules

4.10.1 The issuer and receiver are jointly responsible for the safety of personnel
and equipment at the job site. A joint site inspection shall be conducted for
all work permits. Work shall not begin before the permit has been properly
signed.

4.10.2 The correct permit(s) shall be issued for the job: Hot, Cold, Confined
Space Entry and/or Equipment Opening/Line Break. More than one permit
may be required for some jobs (e.g., most confined space entries).

4.10.3 Atmospheric gas testing shall be conducted with SA-approved portable gas
monitoring equipment for all types of work permits for work that is
performed in “restricted areas” as well as for Confined Space Entry
Permits, Equipment Opening/Line Break Permits, and/or Hot Work
Permits outside of “restricted areas” where the presence of flammable
vapors or gases is suspected. Tests for hydrogen sulfide (H2S), oxygen
concentration, flammable gases, and/or any applicable toxic substances
shall be performed before issuing these permits. Gas tests shall be
performed for Cold Work Permits where applicable. See GI 2.100 and GI
2.709.

4.10.4 Hot work is not permitted if the atmosphere is above 0% of the lower
explosive limit (LEL).

4.10.5 A breathing apparatus (e.g., self -contained breathing apparatus) shall be

used if any of the following atmospheric conditions exist:
 Oxygen (O2) concentrations are less than 20.0%.
 Flammable mixtures are at or above 5% and less than 10% of the LEL.
 Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentration is between 10 and 100 parts per
million (ppm).

4.10.6 Job descriptions and equipment to be used shall be clearly stated on the
permit(s). Permits shall be issued for specific tasks at specific locations.
One permit shall not cover more than one location.

4.10.7 Proper locks and hold tags shall be used where applicable (e.g., multiple
clips with locks or chains with locks). See Chapter I-5, Isolation, Lockout,
and Use of Hold Tags, for further requirements.

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 4.10.8 Permits shall be issued for the specific period of time required to complete
the job.

4.10.9 Prior to the start of work, the work permit receiver shall communicate the
hazards and precautions for the job, as well as other requirements on the
permit, to all workers working under the permit.

4.10.10 Periodic reviews of the job site, including gas testing, shall be conducted as
required.

4.10.11 Oncoming shift issuers and receivers shall inspect the job site, write the
renewal time and sign the permits when renewing permits for another shift
(per Section 4.7).

4.10.12 Special requirements and precautions, such as: fire watches, self-contained
breathing apparatus (SCBA), lifelines, and/or barricades shall be written on
the permit.

4.10.13 During activities that involve cutting, welding, or open flame, a fire watch
shall remain in the area for no less than 30 minutes after the hot work is
finished.

4.10.14 In the event of an emergency, all active permits in the affected area shall be
immediately cancelled and work activities stopped.

4.10.15 Work areas shall be cleared of nonessential personnel to avoid exposing

them to unnecessary hazards.

4.10.16 The issuer or receiver shall stop work and cancel the permit if there are
changes in the work activities or site conditions that could potentially
create an additional hazard to personnel, damage to equipment or facilities,
disruption in operations or harm to the environment. If a permit is
cancelled, a new permit shall be issued after the work site has been made
safe (see Section 4.8).

4.10.17 Permits shall be closed out (per Section 4.9) after the work is completed or
the permit expires. The issuer and receiver shall inspect the job site and
sign the permit to close it. When distance and remoteness make signing
impractical, an alternative closing method is determined and stated on the
work permit when it is issued.

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