SOP ON VESSEL ENTRY PERMIT
PURPOSE : Entry into a vessel or confined space is a potentially hazardous job and hence requires a thorough consideration of various aspects before someone is authorised to perform it.
SCOPE : The vessel entry permit shall be applicable to all process reactors, mixing vessels, ANF’s, TVD’s, Storage Tanks, Ventilation and Exhaust ducts, Sewers openings & Coating machines.
RESPONSIBILITY : It will be the responsibility of Area manager / Area Supervisor to ensure that no vessel entry is carried out without an authorised vessel entry permit within his area of control.
MONITORING – Security Manager, Area Manager and EOHS Manager will be responsible to ensure and monitor that no vessel entry is carried out without a valid permit within the plant premises.
RECORD KEEPING – Record of second copy of the permit will be kept and maintained by the permit issuing department.
AUTHORISING – The vessel entry permit will be authorised for actual entry by any of the persons mentioned below between 08:30 hrs to 17:00 hrs.
- a) Production Manager
- b) Engineering Manager
- c) Plant Head / location Head
For jobs of vessel entry to continue after 1700 hrs. or to take place on any off day / holiday, the permit will have to be authorised specifically by Area manager.
PROCEDURE
Vessel entry permit form shall be prepared in duplicate :
Ist copy : To be available at job site
IInd copy : To be retained in the book by operating deptt.
Separate permit is required for each vessel entry. Vessel entry permit will have a definite starting and ending time.
A fresh vessel entry permit will be required each day if a job has to be carried over to next day.
It is the responsibility of concerned area Supervisor to initiate a vessel entry permit and make necessary preparations.
The job site will be inspected and checked for necessary preparations by the Area manager / Area manager.
It is the responsibility of the Maintenance Supervisor / Foreman to satisfy himself with the preparations made. In case the job involves hot work inside a vessel, he will obtain a fire permit duly authorised by Plant Head / location Head / Engineer Manager / Production Manager as per the procedure.
Only after all preparations have been made and permit signed by all concerned personnel, it shall be authorised for start of work by the authorised person.
At the expiry of the vessel entry permit or completion of job within the validity period, the maintenance Forman shall indicate the date and time of completion / suspension of work and return it to operating department.
In the event of an emergency alarm / leakage of any chemical, the vessel attendant shall immediately inform the person working inside the come out. The work shall remain suspended till specific clearance to restart the work is given. Re-entry will be permitted only after approval by a person authorised for issuing permit.
Outside observer will not go inside the confined space in case of emergency, but only trained staff should be allowed to do so for rescue, if required, and that too only with the aid of SCBA and or the correct PPE required by the situation.
Inspection of confined space should be carried out before handover of the equipment to the operative staff. He should check the quality of work, reconnect all disconnected lines in proper way, remove all tools, accessories and other removed parts etc. from the confined space / vessel.
It must be confirmed that no inadvertent changes are made in the confined space.
Preparation of vessel / confined space for entry shall be carried out as per the guidelines given along with. Guidelines for entry inside confined space should be followed.
PREPARATION FOR VESSEL ENTRY – GUIDELINES
Before an entry, the vessel or confined space shall be made free from inflammable and toxic materials.
The confined space / vessel shall be cleaned thoroughly according to the nature of product and residue, the best and most practical method known v.z. hot or cold water wash / flush, steam wash etc. It shall be drained / cleaned air purged and if steam had been used, to be allowed to cool with fresh air.
The vessel must be isolated as per tag system for equipment under maintenance. (Physical disconnection of inlet and outlet pipelines or slip binding of flanged joints must be carried out.)
For vessels fitted with internal power driven equipments like agitators, additional precautions on electrical isolation must be taken. Physical disconnection must be carried out by removing electrical circuit breaker from the switchgear or by removing wire splices in junction box and by removing mechanical drive components such as V-belt, chain, drive, couplings etc.
The vessel shall be thoroughly checked to ensure that there is no prominent odour of any chemical / solvents in the vessel and the person working inside can breathe easily.
The following gas test shall be carried out by Area manager / EOHS Manager/ Area Supervisor :
– Explosimeter test : It should indicate not more than 5% of LEL.
– Oxygen Content : It should essentially be in between 19.5% and 22.0%.
In case hot work is to be done inside a vessel, the person entering the vessel should produce a spark inside, before actually entering the vessel for work.
The person entering the vessel shall make use of safety belt and lifelines, supplied air mask and other personal protective equipments as may be prescribed.
Regular high voltage lights are not allowed for work inside a vessel. Low voltage (24V) only may be used.
The vessel shall be provided with adequate ventilation. This may be achieved by an air blower or air purge.
A vessel attendant shall be assigned to the vessel opening. The person shall not let the vessel remain unattended under any circumstances when a person is working inside.
When the job is in progress, a warning sign ‘CAUTION – VESSEL ENTRY’ shall be displayed prominently outside the vessel.
PROCEDURE FOR ENTRY INTO CONFINED SPACE
All persons must wear protective clothing with a lifeline attached. The lifeline shall be equipped with a double lock snap. Tension or lifeline should be maintained when a person is entering or leaving the confined space.
Emergency exit system should be discussed and provided before persons enter inside confined area / vessel. When person is coming out of tank whether he is climbing on his own or being hoisted tension must be maintained at all times on the lifeline.
The vessel attendant should keep watch in such a manner so as to be able to see the person inside at all times. This person must attend the free end of the lifeline at all times.
Minimum number of manpower should be allowed inside a confined space for work at one time.