GENERAL PEOPLE’S COMMITTEE OF ELECTRICITY, WATER AND GAS
NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION &
DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE
GPCOEWG/GAS/OP/03
SAFE CONTROL OF OPERATIONS
CONFIDENTIAL
Ref No.
GENERAL PEOPLE’S COMMITTEE OF
ELECTRICITY, WATER AND GAS
DOCUMENT AUTHORISATION SHEET
Document number: GPCOEWG/GAS/OP/03
Document name: Safe Control Of Operations
PREPARED BY:
Name: Phil Winnard
Position: Project Manager
Date: October 2007
CHECKED & AUTHORISED FOR ISSUE:
Name: Alan Lawless
Position: Director – Oil and Gas
Date: October 2007
RECEIVED AND AUTHORISED FOR DITRIBUTION BY:
Name:
Position:
Date:
Amendment Record
Issue Issue Date Description of Changes
1 30/10/2007
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GENERAL PEOPLE’S COMMITTEE OF
ELECTRICITY, WATER AND GAS
DISCLAIMER
The requirements of this specification are adequate for safety under conditions usually encountered in
the gas industry. Requirements for all unusual conditions cannot be specifically provided for. Activities
involving the design, construction, operation, or maintenance of gas transmission or distribution
systems should be undertaken using competent personnel having the experience and knowledge to
make adequate provision for such unusual conditions and be able to make specific engineering
judgement.
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GENERAL PEOPLE’S COMMITTEE OF
ELECTRICITY, WATER AND GAS
CONTENTS
Page
1 DOCUMENT INTRODUCTION 7
1.1 Context 7
1.2 Purpose 7
1.3 Application 7
1.4 Responsibilities 7
2 DOCUMENT PROCEDURE 10
2.1 Requirements 10
2.1.1 Procedures 10
2.1.2 Risk assessments 10
2.1.3 Permit to work 10
2.1.4 Electrical Isolation Certificates 11
2.1.5 Non-Routine gas supply operations 11
2.1.6 Routine and Non-Routine maintenance operations 12
2.1.7 Entry into operational sites 12
2.1.8 Contractors undertaking work on the gas supply network 12
2.1.9 Emergency Actions 12
3 APPENDICES 14
3.1 Reference Documents 14
3.2 Management Structure 15
3.3 Permit To Work (Front Page Example) 16
3.4 Typical Competency Register Format 19
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GENERAL PEOPLE’S COMMITTEE OF
ELECTRICITY, WATER AND GAS
ABBREVIATIONS & DEFINITIONS
‘must’ Indicates an essential requirement of the procedure
‘should’ Indicates the preferred method as described in the procedure, an alternative
approach can be adopted, however the method used must be fully justified
through a documented risk evaluation process.
C&I Control and Instrumentation
GPCOEWG General People’s Committee of Electricity, Water and Gas
mbar Unit of pressure: 1 mbar = 0.001 bar = 0.0145038 PSI
mm Unit of length: 1mm = 0.001 metre
NRO Non Routine Operation
PB Parsons Brinckerhoff Limited
QA Quality Assurance
UK United Kingdom
Responsible Person representing the Authority/Owner/Operator of the system responsible for
Engineer operating the gas supply system
Planning Person representing the Authority/Owner/Operator of the system responsible for
Engineer all planning activities relating to the system
Authorising The Authorising Engineer shall be competent to approve written procedures and
Engineer authorise work instructions and permits to work and documents for undertaking
work on the gas system
The Authority Owner of the pipeline system
Competent A person having the necessary competence to supervise or carry out work in a
Person safe manner
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SECTION 1
DOCUMENT INTRODUCTION
SECTION 1
DOCUMENT INTRODUCTION
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SECTION 1
DOCUMENT INTRODUCTION
1 DOCUMENT INTRODUCTION
1.1 Context
PB Power has been requested to prepare policies and procedures to ensure that the gas transmission
and distribution system in Libya is operated, maintained and managed safely, securely and to
international standards.
The document specifies the requirements for systems, procedures, training, record keeping and
monitoring for Safe Control of Operations on the Gas Network.
1.2 Purpose
To provide a framework for safely working on the operation and maintenance of the gas supply
network.
1.3 Application
The procedure will apply to all work associated with:
a) Entry into sites
b) Routine gas supply operations
c) Routine maintenance operations
d) Non-routine gas supply operations
e) Issue of Permits to work and job Instructions
1.4 Responsibilities
The Gas System Management structure is detailed at Appendix 3.2 of this document.
The following responsibilities are applicable to the Safe Control of Operations
Authority:
The Authority shall:
a) Nominate the Responsible Engineer.
b) Ensure that the Responsible Engineer has the skills, qualifications, training and
experience necessary to fulfil the role.
Responsible Engineer:
The Responsible Engineer shall be a Chartered Engineer with appropriate gas industry experience.
The Responsible Engineer shall:
a) Nominate the Authorising Engineers(s).
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SECTION 1
DOCUMENT INTRODUCTION
b) Ensure that the Authorising Engineers(s) has/have the skills, qualifications, training and
experience necessary to fulfil the role, detailed in this procedure, for both mechanical and
electrical work.
c) Maintain all competency and training records.
Authorising Engineer:
The Authorising Engineer shall be competent to approve written procedures and authorise work
instructions and permits to work and documents for undertaking work on the gas system.
The Authorising Engineer shall:
a) Approve the use of standard procedures.
b) Issue and authorise permits to work and job authorities.
c) Specify which Competent Person is to be responsible for each activity. Notify all persons
affected by the work in advance.
Competent Person:
A Competent Person is a person having the necessary competence to supervise or carry out work in
a safe manner.
The Competent Person shall:
a) Control or undertake all activities at site.
b) Remain at site whilst work is in progress.
c) Brief all employees or contractors on site which are under their control.
d) Prepare Non Routine Operations (NROs) as directed by the Responsible or Authorising
Engineer.
Electrical Authorised Person:
A person having the necessary competence to supervise or carry out electrical work in a safe manner.
The Electrical Authorised Person shall:
a) Control or undertake all electrical site activities.
b) Brief all employees or contractors on site which are under their control.
c) Prepare Electrical Isolation Certificates and other electrical documents as directed by the
Authorising Engineer.
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SECTION 2
DOCUMENT PROCEDURE
SECTION 2
DOCUMENT PROCEDURE
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SECTION 2
DOCUMENT PROCEDURE
2 DOCUMENT PROCEDURE
2.1 Requirements
2.1.1 Procedures
All Operations shall comply with Health, Safety and Environmental Legislation and be carried out in
accordance with relevant procedures and work instructions.
2.1.2 Risk assessments
Risk Assessments must be undertaken to ensure that risks to employees, contractors, and members
of the public are adequately controlled.
The Risk Assessment will identify the hazards and risks arising from the activity.
The control measures shall include the form of permitry required.
2.1.3 Permit to work
A Permit to work shall be issued where the risk assessment identifies significant risk to plant or
personnel.
A Permit shall be issued in every case for: -
• All Non Routine Operations
• Work requiring Electrical Isolation Certificates
• Work in asphyxiating atmospheres
• Entry into confined spaces
• Work in excavations where access or egress requires assistance and / or trench support
shuttering
• Hot work e.g. burning, welding, grinding on live or decommissioned plant
• Demolition work
• Work on plant containing toxic material
• Work where the risk assessment identifies a need for a Permit To Work
Every Permit to Work will be revalidated after a period of 24 hours has elapsed from the time of issue
and thereafter for each elapsed period of 24 hours.
The Authorising Engineer shall be responsible for the issuing and recording of all permits to work and
job instructions and no work shall be allowed to commence until the appropriate level of permitry is in
place. The Authorising Engineer is responsible for maintaining liaison with the Authority ‘Control
Room’ to coordinate all activities and site works.
A permit to work example is shown in Appendix 3.3 of this document.
A record of atmosphere tests should be entered on the Permit to Work.
Atmosphere tests are required when: -
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SECTION 2
DOCUMENT PROCEDURE
a) Personnel are required to enter into plant
b) On work where there is a likelihood that a flammable atmosphere may be present or
develop
2.1.4 Electrical Isolation Certificates
An Electrical Isolation Certificate shall be issued for any work on an item of plant or equipment which
requires a disconnection of an electrical supply to enable work to be carried out safely.
The Electrical Isolation Certificate shall be issued by an Electrical Authorised Person for the purposes
of making known to a person carrying out non-electrical work on electrical equipment and systems
what equipment has been isolated from live conductors; has been discharged and on which it is safe
to work.
The Electrical Isolation Certificate should be used, when required, in conjunction with the Permit To
Work shown in Appendix 3.3.
2.1.5 Non-Routine gas supply operations
All non-routine gas supply operations shall be carried out in accordance with a Non-routine procedure
A non-routine procedure shall be prepared for all activities as listed in IGE/GL/6. These are listed as
follows:
a) Flow stopping on mains or services of greater than 12in/300mm diameter operating at
pressures below 75 mbar and on any main service or pipeline operating above 75 mbar.
b) Connections using encirclement fittings on mains or services of greater than 12in/300mm
diameter operating at pressures below 75 mbar and on any main service or pipeline
operating above 75 mbar.
c) Connections using live welding.
d) Any other activity that could affect the normal operation of gas handling, storage and
pressure controlled installations, telemetry system or have an impact upon significant
parts of the network.
In addition to the above, a non-routine procedure will be issued for all gas supply operations on the
gas distribution network unless a standard operations procedure exists for the operation.
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SECTION 2
DOCUMENT PROCEDURE
2.1.6 Routine and Non-Routine maintenance operations
Routine and non-routine maintenance operations will also require a Permit to Work if the conditions
outlined in 2.1.3 exist.
Routine and non-routine maintenance operations undertaken on Electrical and Instrumentation
systems and equipment on operational sites shall comply with the Electrical safety rules.
2.1.7 Entry into operational sites
Entry into operational sites shall be by authorised personnel only and shall be in accordance with
Standard operating procedures including but not limited to procedure GPCOEWG/GAS/OP/04 – Site
Entry.
All personnel shall complete the Site Log Book on entry and on leaving site.
2.1.8 Contractors undertaking work on the gas supply network
Contractors undertaking any work on operational sites or the Gas Supply Network shall be fully
supervised by a competent person at all times.
Contractors may be required to complete a site induction process if determined necessary by the
Responsible Engineer.
2.1.9 Emergency Actions
Should an uncontrolled event occur whilst working on site, the appropriate actions necessary to
prevent imminent danger to life must be taken and the situation reported to the Authority Emergency
Control Centre.
All emergency situations shall be managed and controlled in accordance with:
• the Authority Emergency Response Contingency Plan,
• GPCOEWG/GAS/E/01 – Procedure for the Control of Emergencies
• GPCOEWG/GAS/E/02 – Dealing with Reported Gas Escapes
• GPCOEWG/GAS/E/03 – Emergency Control Centre Response Procedure
All reasonable precautions must be taken to minimise risks and remove potential hazards before
carrying out any emergency work.
Normal procedures shall apply once the emergency has been dealt with.
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SECTION 3
APPENDICES
SECTION 3
APPENDICES
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SECTION 3
APPENDICES
3 APPENDICES
3.1 Reference Documents
Authority Emergency Response Contingency Plan (ERCP)
GPCOEWG/GAS/E/01 – Procedure for the Control of Emergencies
GPCOEWG/GAS/E/02 – Dealing with Reported Gas Escapes
GPCOEWG/GAS/E/03 – Emergency Control Centre Response Procedure
GPCOEWG/GAS/OP/04 – Site Entry
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SECTION 3
APPENDICES
3.2 Management Structure
Insert Authority Management Structure
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SECTION 3
APPENDICES
3.3 Permit To Work (Front Page Example)
TO BE HANDED TO PERMIT NO……….
PERSON IN CHARGE OF WORK
PERMIT TO WORK
SECTION 1
Valid from………………...hours on………………..to…………………….hours on…………………………………
Location of Plant…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Work to be carried out……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Person in Charge of work:- Mechanical……………….....Electrical…………………………Other………….…….
SECTION 2 – CERTIFICATE OF ISOLATION Note – Electrical isolations are to be carried out by an
Electrical Authorised Person and initialled when complete.
POSSIBLE PLANT DETAILS OF ISOLATION ISOLATION
HAZARD ISOLATION REMOVAL
INITIALS INITIALS
Electricity Switches locked off, Fuses drawn, Busbars Earthed
Mechanical
Disconnected. Drive Locked
Power
Liquids Valves shut and locked. Blanks inserted, Section removed
Pressure or Valves shut and locked. Blanks inserted. Section removed
Vacuum
Gases Double block and bleed. Blanks inserted. Section removed.
Water Bath Allow time to cool. Ventilation. Insulate or shield. Drain
Heaters
Other
SECTION 3 – CONDITIONS TO BE OBSERVED
(Delete where not required, and insert any additional requirements)
1. Render safe sources of ignition within 50 ft 15. Other protective clothing - Specify
2. No smoking, no naked lights.
3. Use only Certified Explosion Protected ……………………………………………….
Electrical tools and equipment
4. Use only 110v hand tools
5. Use air circulation ……………………………………………..
6. Breathing apparatus to be worn
7. Lifeline to be worn 16. Other Conditions
8. Excavation to be properly timbered or battered back
9. Temporary Earth Continuity Bond required ………………………………………………
10. Only vehicle with flame arrestors allowed on site
11. One/two observers to be present ………………………………………………
12. Work only to be carried out, in the presence of 17. The following fire fighting equipment
…………………………………………………………….. to be on the job:- …………………….
13. NRO Procedure required
14. No welding or burning within 50 ft ………………………………………………..
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SECTION 3
APPENDICES
Permit to Work (Front page example continued…………)
SECTION 4 - ATMOSPHERE TESTS TEST METHOD TESTED SAFE NOT
& RESULT SIGNATURE APPLICABLE
SIGNATURE
Oxygen N
Flammable Gases
Toxic Gases
SECTION 5 - CONTROL CENTRE
The work – does / does not involve shutting down or materially affecting the rate of flow or pressure
conditions.
The following have been notified (delete where not required)
Control Centre Responsible Engineer Authorising Engineer
Special requirements of the Authority Control Centre……………………………………………………………
..........................................................................................................................................................................
SECTION 6 - Signed by Competent Person in Charge
I have read this form and I understand the work which is permitted and the Conditions to be observed.
The site will be made secure each night or on completion of the work
Signed……………………………………………………….Date……………………………………………………
SECTION 7 - Authorisation
The plant has been examined and I am satisfied that the work specified can be carried out subject to
compliance with the above conditions
Signed………………………………………………………………Date………………………………………………
Authorising Engineer
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SECTION 3
APPENDICES
Permit to Work (Back Page)
SECTION 8 - COMPLETION: The work specified overleaf has been completed, personnel and
equipment have been withdrawn and the plant may be prepared for service.
Mechanical: Signature……………………………Date…………………Time……………………
Competent Person
Electrical: Signature……………………………Date…………………Time…........................
Authorised Person
Other: Signature……………………………Date…………………Time…………………..
SECTION 9 CLEARANCE: I have inspected / tested the work done. The plant has been prepared
for operation and may go into service.
Authorising Engineer: Signature………………………….…Date…………………Time………………….
SECTION 10 CONTINUATION WORK:
I have satisfied that it is safe for the work described overleaf to
continue subject to the condition to be observed and subject to:
………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………….
Each extension is for a period of 24hrs only:
Work may continue until
SIGNATURE
Time Date
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SECTION 3
APPENDICES
3.4 Typical Competency Register Format
COMPETENCY REGISTER
POSITION: Authorising Engineer Name:
Location:
Professional Qualifications:
Employee Role and Engineering Discipline:
The duties that can be discharged by the Employee and the restrictions that shall apply:
Direct lines of reporting in the organisation:
APPROVED BY: Responsible Engineer Date:
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