WC-OSH 023 Clearance to Work on Water Corporation Assets · WC-OSH 023 Clearance to Work on Water Corporation ... to support the notification and management of work ... to Work on

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WC-OSH 023 Clearance to Work on Water Corporation Assets

Doc ID 365368

Custodian Manager Field Support

Version Date 16 Jan 2017

Accountabilities Framework Level 1 – Manage Occupational Safety and Health Level 2 – Manage Hazards and OSH Incidents Next Review Date

22 Aug 2017

1 Purpose This procedure provides a Permit-to-Work process to support the notification and management of work on a Water Corporation asset, where the works are performed by a Contractor or other party who is not responsible for the day-to-day operation of the asset. The procedure ensures that both risks to the asset and risks to personnel interacting with the asset are reduced to As Low As Reasonably Practicable.

Content 1 Purpose.................................................................................................................................................................... 1

2 Scope ....................................................................................................................................................................... 2

3 Roles and Responsibilities ....................................................................................................................................... 2

4 Training .................................................................................................................................................................... 3

5 Procedure – Clearance to Work ............................................................................................................................... 3

5.1 Standing appointments of Authorised Persons for operations areas ............................................................ 3

5.2 Planning Phase ............................................................................................................................................. 4

5.2.1 Work requiring a CTW Permit ............................................................................................................ 4

5.2.2 Preparing Bid Documentation ............................................................................................................ 5

5.2.3 Safety and Health Management Plan ................................................................................................ 5

5.2.4 Contract Start-up Meeting ................................................................................................................. 5

5.2.5 Use of CTW in conjunction with other types of permits ..................................................................... 6

5.3 CTW Permit Process .................................................................................................................................... 6

5.3.1 Request CTW Permit......................................................................................................................... 6

5.3.2 Issue CTW Permit ............................................................................................................................. 6

5.3.3 Work Phase ....................................................................................................................................... 7

5.3.4 Work completion ................................................................................................................................ 8

5.3.5 Post work inspection.......................................................................................................................... 8

5.3.6 Permit close out ................................................................................................................................. 8

5.4 Repair Work and Reactivate Maintenance ................................................................................................... 9

6 Records.................................................................................................................................................................... 9

7 Definitions ................................................................................................................................................................ 9

8 Compliance Mapping ............................................................................................................................................. 10

9 References............................................................................................................................................................. 10

Appendix A Clearance to Work Permit ............................................................................................................... 11

Appendix B Examples of applying Clearance to Work ........................................................................................ 12

Appendix C Prompts for Authorised Persons ...................................................................................................... 14

Appendix D Flowchart - Issuing a Clearance to Work Permit ............................................................................. 15

Appendix E Clearance to Work Acceptance Checklist ........................................................................................ 16



2 Scope This Procedure applies to:

• Contractors engaged by (or on behalf of) Water Corporation to work on or adjacent the Corporation’s assets. This procedure is invoked through the Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Handbook for Contractors.

• Water Corporation Branches/Teams working on or adjacent the Corporation’s assets, where they are not the party having day-to-day control of the asset’s operation.

• Water Corporation (or Alliance) Contract Managers.

• Operations areas, where Contractors or Water Corporation Branches/Teams (where they are not the party having day-to-day control of the asset’s operation) are working on or adjacent the Corporation’s assets.

This Procedure does NOT apply to:

• Alliance Contractors working on the assets over which they have day-to-day control,

• It typically will not apply to parties that are not engaged by (or on behalf of) the Water Corporation, such as other utilities intending to work near a Water Corporation asset. These parties should refer to the Working Near Pipelines guidance. Water Corporation employees contacted by such parties shall refer to the Asset Damage Risk Assessment procedure.

3 Roles and Responsibilities Position Title Description of Task

Regional Managers and Alliance Managers

• Ensure a list of endorsed Authorised Persons is maintained to represent the Region/Alliance in applying the clearance to work procedure (refer to Section 5.1 below).

Contract Manager • In the Planning stage, liaise with nominated operations personnel to ascertain how CTW will apply for the proposed work and ensure appropriate references in contract documents (refer Section 5.2)

• At contract start-up, ensure awareness of the CTW Procedure, and that work that will need a CTW Permit has been identified, or processes are in place to identify upcoming work that will need a CTW Permit (refer Section 5.2)

• Ensure the Contractor requests and receives a CTW Permit where required. • Responsible for overall management of the Contractor safety, including risks arising

through interaction with the asset (the focus of the CTW process) and risks not directly related to interaction with the asset (i.e. beyond the intended scope of the CTW process).

• Support the post work inspection stage, where requested by the Authorised Person

Authorised Person • In conjunction with the Contract Manager, represent the Region/Alliance in determining work that will require a CTW permit (where this were not ascertained prior to contract award)

• Receive and assess information in the Permit and attachments, to determine risks posed by a Contractor working on or adjacent an asset.

• Make arrangements to make the asset safe to work on or near, or communicate remaining asset related risks that the Contractor Supervisor will need to manage.

• Liaise with their up-line manager or other person (where necessary), to obtain approval or make operational preparations for the work.

• Authorise the work to proceed, through issue of the CTW Permit. • Arrange the post-work inspection. • Archive completed CTW Permits for a minimum 7 years. • Ensure that for urgent repairs work the Clearance to Work Acceptance checklist

(Appendix E) is completed as a minimum prior to the Contractor performing work.

http://www.watercorporation.com.au/-/media/files/suppliers/osh/contractor-health-safety-environment-handbook.pdf


http://www.watercorporation.com.au/home/business/working-near-pipelines

http://aqua/link/?doc=3033115

pcdocs://PM/16311053/P



Position Title Description of Task

Contractor Supervisor • Submit CTW Permits for required work. • Consider and manage asset-related risks that remain, as stated in Section 2 of the

CTW permit. • Undertake the work in a manner consistent with the ‘Description of Works’

previously submitted with the CTW Permit, and consistent with any Permit conditions stated at Section 2 of the Permit.

• Display the CTW Permit at the work location while work is in progress. • Return the CTW Permit to the Authorised Person when work is completed.

4 Training A training program shall be in place for all parties involved in the use of a Clearance To Work (CTW) Permit. This includes permit holders (Contractor Supervisor), permit issuers (Authorised Person) and Contract Managers.

Training is available to Water Corporation employees and Alliance Partners via the Learning Management System (LMS) and/or the OSH WaterNet (OSH Training).

Contractors shall be responsible for maintaining employee’s training records. The ‘OSH Permit’ training material is available to the Contractor Supervisor (via DVD) upon request to the Water Corporation Contract Manager (who can obtain a copy of the materials from the SEAA Branch). Course Name

Mandatory for Roles Description Period of Validity

OSH Permit SAP #Q12326

Persons involved in: • issuing OSH permits (Authorised

Persons) • receiving an OSH permit to work

(Contractor Supervisor) • Contract Managers engaging a

contractor where an OSH Permit will apply.

This course describes: • What activities require an OSH permit; • Water Corporation variety of permits • Role, responsibility and process of

issuing, receiving or working under an OSH permit.

3 years

5 Procedure – Clearance to Work Clearance to Work is a formal documented system used to control certain types of works which are considered hazardous. A Clearance to Work Permit contains location, time, equipment to be worked on, scope of work and tools and equipment to be used, hazard identification, mitigation / precaution measure(s) used and the names of those authorising the work and performing the work.

5.1 Standing appointments of Authorised Persons for operations areas Water Corporation Regional or Alliance Managers who are responsible for the day-to-day operation of Water Corporation assets shall appoint Authorised Persons for the Clearance to Work process. The list of approved Authorised Persons in each business area shall be made available via the Authorised Persons Register.

Note: The appointment of persons as Authorised Persons is intended to be under ‘standing arrangements’, rather than appointed for each project or contract.

Appointed Authorised Persons should have the following competencies and attributes:

• Have completed the training course ‘OSH Permit’ (Q12326).

• Knowledge of scheme/asset configuration and its associated risks

• Good communication skills, thorough, logical and calm.

• Not so remote from the work site, or senior, that they would not be able to commit the time necessary to fulfil their functions as an Authorised Person.





• Understands circumstances when, with whom, and how to apply other processes to notify or obtain other’s approval before proceeding, or escalating to others. Refer to Appendix B for examples of such circumstances.

CTW is most commonly applied to operational assets, with the Authorised Person being a member of the local operations team. CTW may also apply to depot/office maintenance or upgrades, with the Authorised Person typically being:

• a representative of the occupier, in the case of maintenance, or

• the Property & Procurement Branch Contract Manager (in consultation with representatives of the occupiers) in the case of depot/office upgrades.

If the need arises to apply CTW where there is no readily identifiable Authorised Person, the Contract Manager shall refer the matter to:

• In the case of infrastructure assets, the District Operations Manager (or equivalent) in the first instance, with escalation to Regional Service Delivery Manager (or equivalent) if necessary.

• The Manager Property Management in the case of depots, offices and other facilities managed by Property & Procurement Branch.

Note: The Contract Manager has overall responsibility to (as far as practicable) ensure the Contractor will be and is working safely. Through the issue of a CTW Permit, this responsibility is NOT passed to the Authorised Person.

Through the CTW process, the role of the Authorised Person is to:

• Protect the asset and its operation.

• Identify potential risks to the Contractor arising from their interaction with the asset, Make the asset safe for the work, or notify the Contractor of the asset-related risks that remain.

5.2 Planning Phase The planning or ‘design’ stage of a project or works is the critical stage for identifying controls required to protect the asset from damage or interruption, and to understand any asset-specific conditions that may impact the safety of persons performing work on or adjacent to a Water Corporation asset. At the planning phase, the Water Corporation Contract Manager shall identify and liaise with the appropriate Authorised Person (or nominated operations personnel) with responsibility for the day-to-day operation of a particular asset, with the objective of identifying;

• any potential asset-specific safety and health hazards;

• any potential operational and/or service delivery constraints;

• the need for, or the existence of, any contingency arrangements;

• any potential environmental issues;

• any issues affecting the provision of safe drinking water to customers;

• any other applicable permits or requirements;

• Sections or stages of the works that will each require a separate CTW Permit.

• A minimum of five (5) working days’ notice is required prior to the planned commencement of works.

Note: Early notifications of works which are likely to require a CTW Permit is beneficial, as most operations teams schedule using a six (6) weeks planning table.

5.2.1 Work requiring a CTW Permit

A CTW Permit shall be required in the following circumstances:

• There is a risk of damage to the asset or its ongoing operation.

• The Contractor will be at risk through interaction with the asset.

• The Contractor is not going to be directly supervised by Water Corporation’s representative.



A CTW Permit is not required when the Contractor is engaged by and directly supervised on site by the relevant Water Corporation’s operations team.

Intrinsic hazards and conditions will vary between different Water Corporation locations and assets due to differing designs, previous works or upgrades, and operational requirements. Some projects will require multiple CTW permits to be identified and obtained. Projects requiring multiple CTW permits typically involve works that are complex in nature (or requiring multiple crews); and/or

• Works that are planned to occur over separate dates; and/or

• Works that are to be undertaken on multiple sites or assets. Examples of when separate CTW Permits would be needed include:

a) Significantly different types of tasks (e.g. pipework and electrical work as part of the same upgrade) are being undertaken on different areas of a single Water Corporation site.

b) Several single-day tasks undertaken over a period of six (6) months. A separate CTW permit may be required for each separate day, or each time the contractor accesses the asset.

c) Tasks undertaken on multiple assets or Water Corporation sites e.g. multiple connections to pumping stations.

Note: All works require a risk assessment.

5.2.2 Preparing Bid Documentation

The Contract Manager shall ensure bid documents:

• Invoke the Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Handbook for Contractors (which in turn references this CTW Procedure).

• Detail which parts of the work will require a CTW Permit (if known at this stage).

• State the prior notice required for requesting the CTW Permit (if other than the standard 5 working days). Where the work is likely to cause a service disruption to Water Corporation customers, a minimum notice period of fifteen (15) working days shall be required.

5.2.3 Safety and Health Management Plan

Where required under WC-OSH 024 Selection and Management of Contractors the Contract Manager shall ensure that the Contractor has a satisfactory Occupational Safety and Health Management Plan (OSHMP) in place before the first CTW Permit is sought.

5.2.4 Contract Start-up Meeting

At the Contract Start-up Meeting the Contract Manager shall ensure the following:

• The Contractor is aware of the CTW process (and the availability of training in CTW and other OSH permitting processes, via DVD).

• The identity of the proposed Authorised Person and Contractor Supervisor are established.

• The Contractor Supervisor who will receive the CTW Permit (permit holder) has completed the ‘OSH Permit (Online)’ training within the past three (3) years.

• Parts of the work that will each require a CTW Permit have been identified, or that there is a process in place to identify upcoming works requiring a CTW Permit (typically by having this as an agenda item for Contract Progress meetings).

Note: A CTW Permit may be necessary in the days immediately following the Contract Start-up meeting, potentially compromising the required minimum five (5) days notice. Where this is the case, the Contract Manager should check with the operations representative and make the necessary arrangements with the Contractor to initiate the request for CTW ahead of the Start-up Meeting.





5.2.5 Use of CTW in conjunction with other types of permits

Where work is planned to be undertaken in a drinking water catchment, the Contract Manager shall consult with the Aroona Catchment Manager or the relevant regional Water Team Leader /Water Quality Coordinator and ensure completion of the form Catchment Checklist for Clearance to Work Permits.

CTW is a ‘general’ permit to manage the potential safety and operational impacts of a Contractor working on/adjacent an existing asset. Taking into account the circumstances, the Authorised Person shall decide whether the CTW needs to be issued in conjunction with any other type of permit. Other types of permit may include, but not be limited to:

• Hot Work Permit.

• Confined Space Entry Permit.

• Reinstatement of Grid Mesh Panels Permit

• Isolation forms (‘Isolation Request Form’ and ‘Isolation Handover Form’; these apply to ‘complex isolations’).

• Flammable Gas Areas Permit (applies to certain wastewater treatment plants).

• Catchment Checklist for Clearance to Work Permits.

• Asset Damage - Risk Assessment (this is not a permit but functions in a similar manner so as to evaluate risks and determine mitigations. Refer to the Asset Damage Risk Assessment procedure and ‘Asset Protection – Risk Assessment’ form example).

Where CTW is used in conjunction with another permit, and depending on the circumstances, the Authorised Person may:

• Issue a CTW Permit when it is confirmed that other required permits are in place, or

• Use Section 2 of the CTW Permit to specify applicable permits that must be obtained at the appropriate stage of the works.

5.3 CTW Permit Process A flowchart outlining the process for issuing a Clearance to Work Permit is shown at Appendix D.

5.3.1 Request CTW Permit

The Contractor Supervisor shall complete Section 1 of the CTW Permit, attach a ‘Description of Works’, and forward both to the Water Corporation’s Authorised Person (with a copy to the Contract Manager). These documents shall have sufficient detail such that the Authorised Person will be able to determine:

• Which asset(s) the Contractor will work on or adjacent.

• The scope of work to be completed on the asset.

• The overall work method and equipment involved, and how the Contractor proposes to protect the asset (where applicable).

• Preparations the Authorised Person will need to arrange, to make the asset safe to work on or near..

Note: It is the responsibility of the Contract Manager to satisfy themselves that the contractor meets the Water Corporation OSH requirements for the scope of works in accordance with the HSE Handbook for Contractors. Where requested by the Contract Manager, the contractor shall provide a Safety Management Plan, Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) or Job Safety Environment Analysis (JSEA) for the work to be completed. The ‘Description of Works’ attached to the CTW Permit is in addition to this requirement and is not necessarily in the form of a SWMS or JSEA.

5.3.2 Issue CTW Permit

On receiving an application for CTW, the Authorised Person shall review the CTW application and attached information to:




http://www.watercorporation.com.au/-/media/files/business/working%20near%20pipelines/pipeline-protection-risk-assessment-form-example.pdf





• Determine and arrange the isolations or other asset preparations to, as far as practicable, make it safe to work on or near the asset (having regard for the work to be done, and the Contractor’s proposed work methods and equipment).

• Advise the Contractor (and Contract Manager) of any hazards intrinsic to the asset which will remain by stating these at Section 2 of the Permit.

• Confirm that additional permitting processes are in place where required (e.g. Catchment Checklist, Hot Work Permit or Confined Space Entry Permit).

• Confirm the Contractor’s proposed work methods and precautions are satisfactory to not damage the asset.

• Consult or obtain the prior approval of their Manager (or other relevant position) to undertake actions such as issuing a notification to customers of a supply disruption.

• Determine operational and/or service delivery constraints, or the need for contingency arrangements to be in place by a party to the works.

• Confirm that the asset operator’s preparations are in place, or will be in place, prior to authorising the work to commence through issue of the CTW Permit.

As an aid for the Authorised Person, Appendix C of this Procedure lists risks that may need to be considered. The list is not exhaustive. If the Authorised Person requires the Contractor to implement control measures that are not stated on the Contractor’s ‘Description of Works’, the Authorised Person shall either:

a) Notify the Contractor to have them adjust and re-submit the ‘Description of Works’ (and advise the Contract Manager), or

b) State the additional required controls in Section 2 of the Permit, as conditions of the Permit.

Note: The role of the Authorised Person and the CTW Permit process is protection of the asset, and protection of people from any risks associated with the asset. If the Authorised Person has concerns about the Contractor’s proposed work methods (where unrelated to the asset itself, such as the peripheral traffic management), the Authorised Person shall raise with the Contract Manager for discussion with the Contractor. The Authorised Person shall complete Section 2 of the CTW Permit only when:

• The detail on the CTW Permit and its attachments is satisfactory,

• All the asset operator’s preparations are arranged, or are in place.

Within Section 2, the Authorised Person describes:

• Any intrinsic hazards associated with the asset that remain and that the Contractor is to control (e.g. a potentially unsafe atmosphere).

• References to other associated permits (required to be in place, or obtained as a condition of the CTW).

• Conditions placed on the Contractor (such as site induction requirements).

The Authorised Person retains a copy of the CTW Permit and forwards a copy to the Contractor Supervisor, and another copy to the Contract Manager.

5.3.3 Work Phase

On receipt of the CTW Permit the Contractor Supervisor shall:

• Obtain other Permits where a requirement is specified (e.g. Hot Work Permit).

• Display the CTW Permit on site.

• Ensure the control measures included in the submitted Description of Works are implemented



• Ensure any remaining hazards of the asset listed at Section 2 of the permit are managed, and that any additional Permit conditions included at Section 2 are complied with.

For the duration of works the Authorised Person (or their nominee) or the Contract Manager (or their nominee) may inspect the work being undertaken by the Contractor to ensure compliance with the requirements of the CTW Permit. In the event that work is not completed prior to the expiry of the CTW Permit, the Contractor Supervisor shall advise the Authorised Person as soon as practicable, in order to arrange for new work dates. The Authorised Person (or their nominee) may cancel the permit where they consider that changed circumstances render the permit invalid. In this instance the Authorised Person shall notify the Contractor Supervisor and Contract Manager immediately. A new permit may be issued, where appropriate.

5.3.4 Work completion

When work within the scope of the CTW Permit has been completed or has been suspended, the Contractor Supervisor shall advise the Authorised Person by completing Section 3 of the Permit, and forwarding a copy to the Authorised Person (with a copy to the Contract Manager).

5.3.5 Post work inspection

The Authorised Person shall arrange the final inspection of the asset following completion of the work. At the request of the Authorised Person, the inspection may be undertaken by the Contract Manager, a Works Inspector or other person.

The inspection is to confirm there is no damage to the existing asset, and that the area has been adequately reinstated for the operation of the asset (or is ready for reinstatement).

Note: This post-work inspection is separate in intent to inspections arranged by the Contract Manager relating to checking that new infrastructure provided by a Contractor meets contract specifications.

5.3.6 Permit close out

If the outcome of the post work inspection is satisfactory, the Authorised Person shall close out the Clearance to Work Permit by completing Section 4 of the permit form and forwarding a copy to the Contractor Supervisor.

Where the work has been completed, but the CTW Permit has not been returned to the Authorised Person (as required at Section 5.3.4), the following process shall apply to close out the Permit (bypassing any step where contact with a stated party cannot reasonably be made):

1. The Authorised Person (or nominee) shall contact the Contractor Supervisor to have the Permit Section 3 completed and returned

Or, where this is not practicable:

2. The Authorised Person (or nominee) shall contact the Contract Manager. The Contract Manager shall either:

a) arrange the Contractor to return the CTW, or

b) provide written acknowledgement to the Authorised Person that the work under the Permit is complete (or will not be completed) and that they are satisfied the CTW Permit may be closed out.

The Authorised Person shall then arrange the post work inspection and close out the CTW Permit at Section 4, attaching a copy of the notice from the Contract Manager.

Or, where this is not practicable:

3. The District Operations Manager (or equivalent) shall arrange sufficient enquiry to be certain the work under the Permit is completed (or will not be completed). The District Operations Manager shall make notes in Section 3 of the CTW Permit (the section the Contractor would normally close out). The Authorised Person shall then arrange the post work inspection and close out the Permit at Section 4.



5.4 Repair Work and Reactivate Maintenance Repair Work and Reactivate maintenance may need to be conducted in Water Corporation’s assets. In these instances, the 5 day notice period may be unachievable. However a CTW shall still be initiated and completed by the Region where it is required in conjunction with the Contractor.

Upon arrival to Site, the Authorised Person or delegate shall complete the Clearance to Work Acceptance checklist (Appendix E) to ensure the Contractor has fulfilled the requirements under this Procedure prior to conducting the work.

6 Records Clearance to work records shall be filed in accordance with the Water Corporation Records Retention and Disposal Schedule, with the filing convention, retention period and disposition type outlined below:

Record To be retained by Filing convention Retained for (time period)

Disposition Type

Clearance to Work (CTW) Permits Including associated attachments to the permit (e.g. contractor’s Description of Works) and Clearance to Work Acceptance Checklist

Section Manager of the relevant Authorised Person / Work Area

OSH - Risk Management - Work Permits

2 years after last action

Destroy 7 years after last action

Training and Competency records

SAP n/a Retained in accordance with the General Disposal Authority for Human Resource Management Records (GDAHRM).

Branch Manager STAFF DEVELOPMENT - Training

2 years after last action

Destroy 7 years after last action

7 Definitions Term Description

Authorised Person A person who has been approved by the Water Corporation Regional Manager or Alliance Manager, deemed competent to complete permits, identifies potential hazards/risks and control measures associated with the assets, has regard for the work to be performed. An Authorised Person is normally a Water Corporation Operations person, but can be an employee of an Alliance Contractor, if the Alliance Contractor has day to day control of the asset.

Clearance to Work Permit A ‘general’ permit to manage the potential safety and operational impacts of a Contractor working on/adjacent an existing asset.

Contract Manager An authorised representative of the Water Corporation (Principal) responsible for selection of a contractor and / or management of a contract. “Contract Manager” includes the Superintendent, Superintendent’s Representative, Project Manager, Consultant or Agent. The Contract Manager may not be the same individual throughout the process. Note: For minor works, the Contract Manager may be a member of the local operations team, and not necessarily employed as a full time ‘Contract Manager’. In this case, the Contract Manager and the Authorised Person may be the same person.

Contractor Contractor includes Supplier, Consultant and Vendor – the person or persons, firm, company or other entity whose bid has been accepted by the Principal, including any of their personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns. Note: In the context of this procedure the term ‘Contractor’ may include Branches of the Water Corporation working on infrastructure assets over which they do not have day-to-day control (e.g. Engineering & Construction Services Branch or Mechanical & Electrical Services Branch).







Term Description

Contractor Supervisor Means a person appointed by the Contractor to represent the Contractor in the Clearance to Work (CTW) Process. The Contract Supervisor may not be the same individual throughout the process.

Job Safety Environment Analysis (JSEA)

A documented risk assessment which breaks down the job into work steps with the identified hazards and required control measures formally recorded for each step. (Sometimes referred to as a SWMS, JHA, JSEA, etc.)

Shall and Should The word ‘shall’ is to be understood as mandatory and the word ‘should’ as recommended but non-mandatory.

8 Compliance Mapping

Task Legislation

Clearance to Work Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 Environment Protection Act 1986 Dangerous Goods Act 2004

Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 Electrical Licensing Regulations 1991 Dangerous Goods Safety (Storage & Handling of Non-Explosives) Regulations 2007

Code of Practice: Induction for Construction Work 2007 Code of Practice: WA Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods 2008

AS/NZS 4804:2001 Occupational health and safety management system – General guidelines on principles, systems and supporting techniques AS/NZS ISO 31000 Risk Management

9 References Document Number Title

S151 Prevention of Falls Standard

S152 Public Safety at Construction Sites

WC-OSH 109 Tagging and Isolation

S146 Mobile Plant Operator Competency Requirements

WC-OSH 010 OSH Incident Process (Notification, Investigation and Reporting)

WC-OSH 023 Reinstated Grid Mesh Panel Assessments

WC-OSH 024 Selection and Management of Contractors

WC-HSE 038 Contractor HSE Induction

WC-OSH 108 Confined Spaces

WC-OSH 123 Cleaning and Purging

WC-OSH 135 Hot Work

# 2279238 Catchment Checklist for Clearance to Work Permits

Document Revision History

27 Aug 2014 Correct to section 5.2.1 Work Requiring a CTW Permit. Refer to MOC Register #8930342.

23 Apr 2015 Removal of reference to AS/NZ 4801 as per MOC# 12681202

16 Jan 2016 HPI Action, to clarify need for CTW Permit for repair and/or reactive maintenance work. MOC#16296192













pcdocs://PM/16296192/1A



Appendix A Clearance to Work Permit Clearance to Work Permit books are available to order from Procurement (Order code 87212943).




Appendix B Examples of applying Clearance to Work

Situation Application of the CTW Procedure

A contract involves construction of 2 km of new DN150 water main. At one point the new main will cross an old ductile iron pressure sewer main that would be at risk of being damaged. When the new main is laid, the contractor will undertake a tie-in to an existing DN300 water main.

In the project planning phase the Contract Manager liaises with the Region’s Asset Delivery Representative. They confirm that two separate CTW Permits will be needed, one for the crossing of the ductile iron pipe, and the other for the tie-in. The Contract Manager ensures references to these two specific CTW Permits are made on the relevant contract drawings.

The tie-in will involve isolating the water main for an estimated 8 hours, and preparations will need to be made to ensure customers won’t be impacted by this. These are initiated by the Authorised Person and will involve people and processes that he understands through prior experience.

A project involves a large upgrade to an existing Treatment Plant, with the work expected to run for 7 months. The Treatment Plant will continue to operate over this period.

At or before contract start-up, the separate Sections of work that will each need its own CTW Permit cannot all be ascertained with any reliability. At the start-up meeting the Contract Manager ensures the Contractor is aware of the CTW Process, and that there will be a system in place to forecast ahead to identify discrete parts of the work that will need its own CTW Permit. Typically this is through having ‘OSH Permits in upcoming work’ as an agenda item for the Project Progress Meetings that will follow.

A contractor will be performing a tie-in to an existing MSCL water main on the premises of a Water Corporation water tank. The work will involve welding and grinding near dry grasses and there is a credible fire risk.

The Contractor will need one CTW Permit to cover both the work of excavating to reveal the existing main, and the tie-in. The ‘Hot Work’ Procedure WC-OSH 134 requires that (in addition to the CTW Permit) a Hot Work Permit is issued. The Region’s Authorised Persons Register identifies four persons from the District that can function as Authorised Person for both the CTW Permit and the Hot Work Permit. Both permits are sought and issued together. Section 2 of the CTW Permit identifies that it is being used in conjunction with a Hot Work Permit.

A Contractor to Western Power will be excavating within 2 metres of an asbestos cement water main.

The CTW Procedure does not typically apply because the Contractor has not been engaged by (or on behalf of) the Water Corporation. As an independent party in a public area, the Contractor does not require a permit or access authority. However, the Contractor may apply the ‘Asset Damage Risk Assessment process’ (link) to engage with the Water Corporation in assessing risk and considering precautions.

A contractor to Water Corporation will be excavating and using heavy mobile plant close to an existing critical underground water trunk main.

The Asset Damage Risk Assessment (ADRA) process is tailored to managing the risk of damage to critical underground pipelines, whereas CTW is a general permit-to-work system. Though primarily intended to apply to third parties (rather than Contractors to Water Corporation) applying ADRA would likely cause a more thorough evaluation of the specific risks to an underground pipeline.

Being a more appropriate tool to manage the risk, ADRA may be applied instead of (or in addition to) a CTW



Situation Application of the CTW Procedure

Permit.

A Water Corporation operations team who have day-today control of an asset engage a local excavator operator (contractor) to assist with an upcoming job. The excavator operator will be working directly with the Water Corporation crew, and will be signed onto their JSEA.

The CTW Procedure does not apply because the work of the excavator operator is directly overseen by the operations team that are on site. Protection of the asset, and protection of the driver from the asset, can be achieved through direct supervision and without the need for a Permit.

A contractor is engaged by a Contract Manager to replace a 200 metre length of DN300 water main. In the planning phase the Contract Manager liaises with the district’s operations representative and confirms one CTW Permit will be needed as a ‘hold point’ to ensure bypasses and isolations are in place before work commences.

The Contractor submits a CTW Permit with a ‘Description of Works’ and it is evident to the Authorised Person that the near side of the public road will need to be closed. Through the ‘Description of Works’ the Authorised Person becomes aware that the Contractor is not planning to close any part of the road, or have signage, Traffic Controllers or a Traffic Management Plan , but instead only have a “spotter” to warn of approaching traffic. Though significant, this concern is unrelated to the asset. The Authorised Person notifies the Contract Manager to resolve with the Contractor.

A contractor applies for a CTW Permit for the replacement of a hatch on top of a water tank. The hatch is several metres away from a marked “no go zone” for a mobile phone transmitter mounted on the tank. The Contractor’s ‘Description of Works’ submitted with the CTW Permit makes no mention of it.

The Authorised Person issues the CTW Permit. Conditions in Section 2 of the Permit include adherence of the transmitter “no go zone”, and receiving a site induction on arrival. The “no go zone” will be explained as part of the site induction.

A contractor is engaged for upgrade of a dam wall and outlet works. Several separate CWT Permits will be involved. The first CTW will be for ‘Stage 1 outlet works upgrade’. The ‘Description of Works’ attached to this Permit is in the form of the Project OSH Management Plan, and Project Environmental Plan.

The Authorised Person rejects the CTW application, explaining to the Contractor that these Plans should be provided to the Contract Manager. They are not directly related to the CTW process, and they do not adequately support the CTW Permit as they do not provide the necessary information specific to the Stage 1 outlet works upgrade. The Authorised Person notifies the Contract Manager that this has occurred.

A CTW Permit is issued for the re-lining of a chemical bund. When the work is completed, the Contractor Supervisor completes Section 3 of the Permit and forwards it to the Authorised Person.

An inspection of the asset must occur before Section 4 of the Permit is completed and the Permit closed out and archived. The Authorised Person determines who will carry out the inspection. In this case, it has been pre-arranged that it will involve the Contractor Supervisor, the Works Inspector, and the Authorised Person.

A CTW Permit is sought for works that will involve several items of diesel fuelled earthmoving plant. The works are within a drinking water catchment area.

The CTW Permit is issued, with Section 2 of the Permit having a condition that a completed ‘Catchment Checklist for Clearance to Work Permits’ is obtained.

A telecommunications operator has transmitters installed within a Water Corporation facility. A contractor to the telco needs to access the transmitters for a routine service.

CTW is intended to apply to parties who are contracted by, or on behalf of, the Water Corporation. It may be extended to apply to third parties such as the telco’s contractor, but only where it is assessed there is a risk to the contractor from interaction with the Water Corporation infrastructure, or vice versa.



Appendix C Prompts for Authorised Persons This list is intended as an aid to the Authorised Person (or others), to identify potential impacts of the works in assessing an application for a CTW Permit.

Hazards (to the Contractor, through interaction with the Water Corporation asset/site)

Confined Space Entry Striking our underground service Asbestos Unsafe atmosphere (H2S, LEL, CO, oxygen too low or high, other) Exposure to, or spills of chemicals, fuels, chlorine or other Dangerous Goods Work at heights or openings Electric fences Pressurised equipment Equipment needing isolation (fluid, gas, power, stored energy) Contact with wastewater pathogens Noise/vibration Ultraviolet lamps RF energy (e.g. transmission towers) Conditions on site temporarily in an unsafe condition (tagged, barricaded) Drowning/engulfment/flooding Metallic service with potentially induced voltage from adjacent power lines Site Induction requirements not met

Drinking Water Quality Catchment management and source protection Water Treatment plant operation Chlorinator operation Service tank contamination Backflow into the reticulation

Other Permits/checklists required

Confined Space Entry Permit Hot Work Permit Isolation forms (for ‘complex’ isolation) Reinstatement of Grid Mesh Panels Permit Flammable Gas Area Permit Catchment Checklist for Clearance to Work Permits

Potential operational impacts or asset damage

Disruption of supply to customers Damage caused by mobile plant Chemical or biological contamination Access to equipment blocked during the work Fire/explosion Delays to work require asset to be isolated longer than planned Bypasses needing to be arranged Contingency plans needed (by Contractor, or Water Corporation) Notification or approval by others required (e.g. access to the IWSS) Downstream/upstream impacts Site security compromised Local constraints to water discharge/dewatering Contractor’s provision for clean-up or site restoration Causing direct damage to a pipe or coating * Causing excessive impact, shock or vibration* Causing excessive loading* Limiting future access* Disturbing foundations or bedding* Causing subsidence* Altering the depth of cover* Interference with cathodic protection*

Note: Items marked with an asterisk (*) are also referred to in the Asset Damage Risk Assessment procedure, which outlines the process for initiating a damage risk assessment for works near an asset. Related guidance material be viewed via the Working Near Pipelines page at www.watercorporation.com.au.


http://www.watercorporation.com.au/home/business/working-near-pipelines



Appendix D Flowchart - Issuing a Clearance to Work Permit




Appendix E Clearance to Work Acceptance Checklist Location:

Date:

Contractor: Work/Task to be undertaken: Completed by:

Mandatory item Check (Ensure each item is in place)

Comment

Site Specific induction ☐Yes ☐No

WC HSE Contractor Induction ☐Yes ☐No

SWMS/JSEA/Step back ☐Yes ☐No

Correct PPE for the task ☐Yes ☐No

Completed CTW (if required) ☐Yes ☐No

If any of the above items have not been received and accepted, the work cannot proceed and it must be immediately escalated to the Operations Manager and/or delegate.


Documents

WC-OSH 023 Clearance to Work on Water Corporation Assets · WC-OSH 023 Clearance to Work on Water Corporation ... to support the notification and management of work ... to Work on