Murphy Oil USA
Safe Systems of Working
Permit To Work System (SHERS-11.2)
MOUSA-11/2011
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
1
Why Do We Need A Permit To Work?
Because uncontrolled work activities eventually lead to uncontrollable emergencies
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
2
What Is A Permit To Work System?
A permit to work system :
Is a formal recorded process used to control work identified as potentially hazardous

Is a means of communication between the person authorized to issue the permit and
those carrying out the potentially hazardous work

Ensures that proper consideration is given to the hazard associated to a particular job or
simultaneous work activities at a site

Defines the process to be followed to control specific types of work (non-routine) that
may:-
MURPHY OIL
o
Conflict with other work activities by introducing hazards not previously identified
o
Present hazards or high risk to personnel
o
Compromise the integrity of the facility
o
Pose environmental risks
USA,
INC.
3
When Is A Permit Required?
The use of a permit to control work activities should be considered:
When it is intended to carry out work which may adversely affect the safety of
personnel, plant or the environment

When the work is identified as involving significant hazards, for example welding, tank
cleaning, shot-blasting, tank lining, oil water separator inspections

When two or more individuals or groups need to coordinate activities to complete the
task safely

When there is a transfer of work and responsibilities from one group to another
It should not be:
Applied to all activities, this will reduce the
overall effectiveness of the permit system

Applied to control site visitors or routine
maintenance tasks in non-hazardous areas
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
4
Types of Work Permit
The permit to work system will include three types of permit:
Safe Work (Cold Work / Low Energy)

Hot Work

Confined Space Entry
Safe Work (Cold Work / Low Energy)

Any work or use of equipment that will not
create a potential ignition source, may present
a hazard to personnel or the environment and
does not have a human respiration risk due to
compromised atmospheric conditions
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
5
Types of Work Permit
Hot Work

Any work or use of equipment that could produce a spark or will generate sufficient
heat to ignite combustible/flammable materials, liquids or vapors
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
6
Definition Confined Space
Confined Space can be defined as follows:
A space that is large enough and so configured that personnel can bodily enter

Has limited or restricted means of entry or exit

Is not designed for continuous occupancy

Has a potential to contain a hazard atmosphere

Contains material that has the potential to engulf an entrant
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
7
Permit To Work Forms
Safe Work
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
Hot Work
Confined Space Entry
8
Essential Features
Essential features of a permit to work system are :
Clear identification of those who may authorize particular jobs

Training in the preparation, issue, use and closure of permits

Clear identification of the types of work considered hazardous

Clear identification of task, hazard assessment & permitted duration of task

Monitoring to verify and validate the effectiveness of the system
Why monitor?

To maintain the effectiveness of the permit process

To identify opportunities for improvements

Demonstrate management commitment

Maintain a safe work environment
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
9
Objectives
The key objectives of a permit to work system are to ensure:
Proper communication of planned work between all parties

That the work scope & mitigation measures are clearly defined, specifically:o
Exact identity, nature and extent of the job
o
Hazards identified
o
Mitigation measures required
o
Limitations on the extent of the work
o
Times the work can be carried out
o
Safe isolations from potential risks

Proper authorization of non-routine work
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
10
Work Permits
The various types of work permits will be:
Color coded

Written in English

Have a unique reference number

Be produced in duplicate

Have spaces for the following information to be entered:o
o
o
o
o
o
o
MURPHY OIL
The work location
The equipment and materials to be used
The work to be carried out
The energy isolations required
The hazard mitigation measures to be implemented,
including PPE
The activities carried out to ensure mitigation
measures have been implemented
Any tests carried out to verify that the work can be
performed safely
USA,
INC.
11
Responsibilities – Permit Requestor
The person requesting a work permit responsible for ensuring that:
The work permit is requested in a timely manner

The scope of the proposed work, the equipment to be used, the associated hazards, the
proposed hazard mitigation measures and the identified safe method of working are
defined

The workplace is prepared for inspection prior to authorization of the permit

The safe method of working is communicated to those performing the proposed works

The workplace is regularly inspected to ensure that activities are being performed safely

The workplace is inspected prior to signing off
the permit to ensure that:o The scope of work has been effectively
achieved
o The plant, equipment and/or work area
has been left in a safe condition
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
12
Responsibilities – Contractor Management
If work is to be carried out by contractor personnel, that company’s site
representative will ensure that 
Those employees assigned to carry out the work:o
Have received site safety orientation training
o
Understand how the permit to work system operates
o
Understand their specific responsibilities within the permit system
o
Are trained and competent to perform the tasks assigned to them

Plant and/or equipment supplied to perform the tasks are maintained, certified as
necessary and remain fit for purpose during the duration of the work
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
13
Responsibilities – Permit Issuer
The Permit Issuer (Trained Murphy employee) will ensure that:
The scope & nature of the work is fully understood

The hazards associated to the work are identified

The identified hazard mitigation measures are implemented prior to the work starting

Permits issued for other tasks that may interact are cross referenced

The equipment & workplace is adequately prepared prior to authorizing the permit

A safe method of work is reviewed & understood by those performing the work

Any testing, including gas testing, is carried
out & recorded prior to permit issue

The plant, equipment and/or work area is
inspected prior to signing off the permit

A suitable hand-over is performed at the
time of shift change to ensure:o All ongoing or suspended permits are
discussed with the new Permit Issuer
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
14
Responsibilities – Permit Holder
The Permit Holder will ensure that:
They have received instruction in the permit to work system

The people working for them have received training in the permit to work system

They have fully discussed the proposed work with the Permit Issuer

The work party is briefed on scope of the proposed work, the details of the permit &
hazard mitigation measures

The plant, equipment and/or work area are prepared & safe to start the proposed work

Safe working practices are adopted for the duration
of the assigned work

The control measures are maintained throughout
the work activity

The plant, equipment and/or work area is inspected
prior to permit sign-off

On completion or suspension of work, the site is left
in a safe condition
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
15
Responsibilities – Those Carrying Out The Work
Those carrying out the work will ensure that:





They have received safety orientation training & understanding the permit system
They do not start work until an appropriate work permit has been properly issued
They receive a briefing from the Permit Holder on the task & the precautions to be taken
They follow the conditions specified on the permit
When they stop work, the site & any equipment is left in a safe condition
If in any doubt, or if circumstances change, they stop work & consult the Permit Issuer
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
16
Permit Request
The Permit Requestor / Holder will ensure that these sections of the work permit are
completed prior to the form being presented to the Permit Issuer:
Company (Including Contractor Name, where applicable)

Area / Unit (Where is the work to take place)

Permit Holder (Record name)

Equipment # (Record equipment number, where applicable)

# Persons (Identify number assigned to work task)

Work Order # (Record WO number, where applicable)

Scope of Proposed Task (Detail work to be done)
For significant work the Permit Requestor will provide the
Permit Issuer with a:
Safe method of working

Job Safety Analysis
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
17
Pre-Task Hazard Assessment
Prior to issuing a work permit a task and workplace task hazard assessment will be
carried out at the work site
The assessment will be carried out by the Permit Issuer & Permit Requestor / Holder
The purpose of the inspection will be carried out to identify:
All potential hazards associated with the proposed work

The control measures necessary to ensure the work can be performed safely
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
18
What Hazards Do You See?
Hazards Include
















MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
Poor Access & Egress
Hot Surfaces
Sharp Edges
Steam
Combustible Deposits
Flammable Vapor
Toxic Vapor
Slippery Surfaces
Uneven Surfaces
Noise
Manual Handling
Confined Space
Work at Height
Activities of Others
Overhead Obstructions
Trapped Pressure
19
Hazard Control Review
The Permit Issuer and Permit Requestor / Holder (person supervising the work) will
discuss, at the designated work site:


The identified hazards
The necessary control measures
Any additional information to ensure mutual understanding & agreement of the actions
required to perform the task safely
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
20
Preparing The Work Site
The Permit Issuer and Permit Requestor / Holder will ensure that all steps necessary to
prepare the work site for the proposed work are have been taken, for example:
Communicating the scope of work to all relevant parties

Physical isolation of plant and/or equipment (Energy isolations)

Draining, purging, venting, or flushing of equipment

Barricading the work site (To prevent unauthorized access)

Gas testing for flammable & toxic vapors (If identified as potential hazard)
Typically Murphy operations or maintenance personnel will prepare the work site
If those assigned to perform the permit
required work are to prepare the work
site a separate permit for site preparation
must be raised
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
21
How Would You Prepare This Site Strainer Removal?
Preparation














MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
Removal of hoses
Removal of trip hazards
Removal of platform
Temporary scaffold
Isolation of inlet
Isolation of outlet
Isolation of pump
Isolation of steam
Draining of strainer
Secondary containment
Depressurize strainer
Barrier work area
Mechanical lifting aid
Certificate review
22
Gas Testing At The Work Site
Gas testing for oxygen and/or flammable or toxic vapors will be carried out by a trained
and competent person
The competent person will carry out the range of gas tests required to ensure that the
work site and surrounding area is safe to allow the proposed work to proceed
The range of tests required will be determined by:
The scope of work

The work location

The type of permit being issued
Permit Issuer will determine any requirement for
continuous gas monitoring during the works
Any hot work that is to be performed inside a
confined space will require continuous monitoring
for flammable vapors within the confined space
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
23
Gas Testing – Hot Work
The following conditions apply to gas testing prior to hot work:
Gas testing for Oxygen & Flammable Vapor (LEL) will be performed
o Oxygen testing is required as low oxygen readings can adversely affect the
flammable vapor test

Work will not be authorized to start if:o The flammable vapor reading is greater than 0% LEL
o There are residues of flammable liquids present

If the flammable vapor reading is >0% LEL the source must be determined & remedial
actions taken to eliminate it prior to work commencing

If a flammable vapor of >0% LEL is detected at any
time during the work all hot work must stop
immediately

The permit can only be re-issued once the source of
the vapors has been identified, action taken to
eliminate the source and gas testing carried out to
confirm 0% LEL
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
24
Gas Testing – Confined Space Entry
The following conditions apply to gas testing prior to confined space entry:
Gas testing for Oxygen & Flammable Vapor (LEL) & toxic vapors will be performed
o The range of toxic vapors to be tested for will be determined by the potential
hazards created by the function of the confined space
Table 1 – Confined Space Entry Requirement
Tests
Oxygen
LEL
H2S
Benzene
Temp
pH
Safe to Enter Confined Space
19.5 to 23%
0%
<10ppm
0ppm
<37.8C
6 to 8
<19.5%
<10%
10 – 100ppm
0.5 – 500ppm
37.8 - 43.3C
N/A
<16.5 or >23%
>10%
>100ppm
>500ppm
>43.3C
<6 or >8
Respiratory Protection Required
No Entry Permitted
Entry into a confined space known to contain an inert
atmosphere (nitrogen blanketed) is only allowed:
If entry is to be carried out by specialist contractors

Specialist equipment is used

Entry is authorized by senior management
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
25
Pre-Task Safety Briefing
Following issue of the work permit the Permit Holder will ensure that a Pre-Task Safety
Briefing is carried out with those who will be carrying out the work
The purpose of the safety brief is to ensure mutual understanding of the:
Scope of work

Hazard mitigation measures

Work permit conditions & control measures

Safe work practices to be followed

Site evacuation procedures
If additional workers arrive on site after the
initial safety brief the Permit Holder must
ensure that they are given a task safety brief
before starting work
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
26
Start Of Work
The Permit Holder will ensure that work starts promptly after the issue of the work
permit
This is to ensure that conditions do not change within work area prior to work starting
The period allowed between permit issue and work starting is:
Safe Work Permit
60 minutes

Hot Work Permit
30 minutes

Confined Space Entry Permit
30 minutes
If work has not commenced within the specified
time period it cannot begin and the permit must
be return to the Permit Issuer for re-validation
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
27
Permit Duration & Extension
A work permit can be issued for a maximum period of twelve (12) hours providing the
Permit Issuer remains on site for that period
The permit can be extended for a maximum of twelve (12) hours providing the Permit
Issuer remains on site for that period
Whenever a work permit is extended the Permit Issuer will ensure that the following
expectations are effectively met:
Attend the work site, with the Permit Holder & carry out an inspection to confirm:-
MURPHY OIL
o
All restrictions conditions and controls
listed on the work permit remain the
same
o
The performance of those performing
the work tasks meets expectations
o
Any gas testing requirements are
carried out and recorded
o
Both copies of the work permit are
updated
USA,
INC.
28
Conditions For Stoppage Of Work
Work must be stopped and the work permit returned to the Permit Issuer (Murphy)
under any of the following conditions:
Any safety concerns

Activation of emergency alarm

Incident or near miss at the work site

Fire-Watch leaves the work site

Safety-Watch leaves the work-site

Greater than 0% LEL detected at the work site

Gas test equipment failure

Expiration time reached
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
29
Permit Cancellation
The work permit will be cancelled under the following conditions:









Change of entire work crew
Change of Permit Holder
Change in scope of work
Shift change
Change in work site conditions
Injury, incident or near miss at the work site
Major incident leading to site wide evacuation
Withdrawal of permit by Permit Issuer
Withdrawal of permits by facility employee
Work completion
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
30
Permit Expiry
When the work permit expires the Permit Holder will ensure that:
The work is either completed and/or has been left in a safe condition

Housekeeping expectations have been effectively met
The Permit Issuer and Permit Holder will carry out a joint inspection of the work and
associated work site to ensure that:
The work site has been left in a clean and safe condition

If the work is completed it fully meets the original scope and/or intent

If the work has not been completed the work area / equipment is left in a safe condition
If the above conditions are met the Permit
Issuer will:
Sign off on both copies of the work permit

Forward the work permit to the EHS
Manager for retention purposes
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
31
Permit Retention
Completed permits and any supporting documents are retained for a minimum of
period of 13 months
In the event that an incident occurs at the workplace while the work permit was in
effect, the permit and associated documents will be retained with the incident report
for an indefinite period
The EHS Manager will ensure that all Confined Space Entry permits are reviewed within
a 12 month period following expiry of the permit to ensure:
Compliance with work permit system expectation

Permits are fully & accurately completed

Permits have been signed-off correctly

Opportunities for improvements are identified
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
32
Additional Requirements – Hot Work Permit
Prior to the issuing a hot work permit additional safeguards will be required, these
include but are not limited to, the:
Physical isolation of plant and equipment

Sealing of all drains within 100 feet of the work site

Purging / flushing / draining / venting of equipment

Postponement / stopping of product movements within the work location

Placement of fire-fighting equipment

Provision of a trained and adequately briefed Fire-Watch at the work site

Performance of an appropriate range of gas tests
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
33
Hot Work Permit - Fire-Watch
Whenever hot work takes place a Fire-Watch will be assigned to monitor the work
activities and maintain a safe working environment
The Fire-Watch must be trained and able to fulfill the duties associated to the role
competently. They must be aware of the:
Planned work and associated hazards

Control measures as specified in the permit to work and any associated documents

Procedure for sounding the alarm in the event of an emergency

Evacuation routes to be used in the event of a fire occurring at the work site

Communication protocol between work site and control room

Gas testing required prior to and during the works

Safety hazards associated to fire-watch duties

PPE required to perform fire-watch duties safely

Correct selection and use of fire extinguishers

Site safety plan
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
34
Fire-Watch Duties
The Fire-Watch must be able to perform the following key duties of the role:
Verify that gas testing has been carried out and the area is safe to perform hot work

Inspect the work site prior to the work starting to ensure that:o Potential risks, including combustibles are removed or covered
o Any nearby openings are sealed or covered with fire safe materials
o Hazard mitigation measures listed on the permit are implemented

Ensure that fire-fighting equipment is readily available and serviceable

Maintain a diligent watch on activities likely to create an ignition source
o It is not permitted for the fire-watch to carry out any other duties, they must
continuously monitor the work taking place

Stop the hot work should a safety hazard be identified

Sound the fire alarm in the event of a fire

Maintain a watch at the work site for at least 30
minutes after the hot work has ceased for signs of
combustion
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
35
Confined Space
A confined space entry permit is required whenever entry into a space that meets any
of the following criteria :
Is large enough & so configured that somebody can bodily enter

Has limited or restricted means of entry of exit

Is not designed for continuous human occupancy

Has poor ventilation & contains, or has the potential to contain, a hazardous atmosphere

Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing the entrant

Has an internal configuration that might cause
an entrant to be trapped or asphyxiated
o By inwardly converging walls or by a
floor that slopes downward & tapers to
a smaller cross section

Contains any other recognized serious safety
or health hazards
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
36
Types of Confined Space
Examples of permit required confined spaces include:
Any type of vessel, column or reactor

Stationary of portable tanks

Sumps or pits at a depth of 5 feet or greater

External floating roofs if at a depth of 5 feet or greater

Accessing the top of an internal floating roof

Excavations at a depth of 5 feet or greater

Pipeline if large enough to allow a person to
place their head inside
A Safe Work or Hot Work permit will be issued
together with a Confined Space Entry permit to
control the work activities in the confined space
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
37
Preparation Prior To Entry
Additional preparation for confined space entry will include, as applicable:
Purging / flushing / draining / venting of the confined space and associated equipment

Physical isolation of the confined space and associated plant /equipment

Postponement / stopping of product movements within the work location

Arranging for continuous ventilation once entry is obtained

Provision of appropriate measures to handle potential hazardous waste

Mitigation of product movement within the same bund area

Gas Testing, i.e. Oxygen, Flammable & Toxic Vapors

Sealing of all drains within 100 feet of the work site

Selection and placement of rescue equipment

Provision of suitable means of access and egress

Provision of low voltage or air driven lighting

System de-pressurization

Barricading of the work site
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
38
Role Of The Entry-Watch
Whenever confined space entry takes place an Entry-Watch will be assigned:
To monitor the activities taking place within the confined space

Maintain a safe working environment
The Entry-Watch must be appropriately trained and able to fulfill these duties:
Maintain contact / communication with those inside the confined space at all times

Continually observer those working inside the confined space, the work in progress & the
surrounding area for safety concerns

Alert those inside the confined space to any danger in or around the confined space and to
call for assistance immediately

Ensure there is an effective means of communication
to raise the alarm in the event of an emergency

Ensure that all gas testing requirements have been
effectively met

Ensure that all control measures as specified in the
permit to work and associated forms are effectively
maintained
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
39
Entry-Watch
The Entry-Watch must also be aware of:
The correct / proper use of a fire extinguisher & other safety equipment if needed

The requirements of the permit to work & confined space entry forms

All control measures & how they are effectively maintained

How to act in the event that a person within the confined space has a safety problem

How to shutdown equipment in the event of an emergency

Who is providing emergency rescue
o
What rescue equipment is close by
o
Where it is located
o
Who is available to provide assistance
when using it

The procedures for sounding the alarm in
the event of an emergency

The communication protocol between work
site and control room
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
40
Exercise One
Using the following information produce a Safe Work Permit

Scope Of Work
Replace damaged stainless steel hose on Sulfuric acid tote

Equipment To Be Used
Hand tools

Other Activities
Caustic soda delivery due during proposed work
Electrical contractor installing new sulfuric acid pump
Ethanol road load-out taking place within 50 feet of work area
Connection to sulfuric tote (tote full of acid)
Pump system locked out for maintenance
Connection to sulfuric off-loading pump
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
41
Exercise Two
Using the following information produce a Hot Work Permit

Scope Of Work
Fabricate new 4” stainless steel import pipeline to sulfuric acid tank
to run from outside off-loading point into production building. No
connections into existing plant or equipment to be made

Equipment To Be Used
Electrical welding plant & grinder, diesel generator, hand tools and
Portable Scaffold (tank to be top filled)

Other Activities
Production plant will be running normally
Electrical contractor installing gauging equipment to sulfuric tank
Pump maintenance being carried out on sulfuric off-loading pump
Pipe route at height through production plant
Sulfuric acid tank within bund
New pipe to run at low level from here to offloading point outside building
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
42
Exercise Three
Using the following information produce a Confined Space Entry Permit


Confined Space
Previous Product
Connections to Tank

Electrical Equipment

Reason For Entry
Equipment To Be Used




Contractor
Other Activities
Tank 4 (Internal Floating Roof)
Ethanol
8” Import, 8” Export Lines & 4” Line to Tank 3
1” Thermal Relief (x3) & 8” Drain Sump
Common Use Import Pump & Dedicated Export Pump
Tank Temperature Gauge, Radar Gauge & Hi-Hi Alarm
Tank cleaning prior to inspection
Diesel driven power washer, hand tools (brushes & mops)
Portable Scaffold (Wall Washing)
Tank Clean USA
Tank 3 Adjacent to Tank 4 is being painted (Brush & Rollers)
Tank 4 export pump is being serviced
Tank 3
Tank 4
Tank 4 Export Pump
MURPHY OIL
USA,
INC.
43