HOT WORK PERMIT ON CHEMICAL TANKERS - CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL
THE THING TO REMEMBER IS TO TAKE A SAMPLE OF THE LIQUID INSIDE A CARGO TANK— IT NEED NOT BE WATER, IT COULD BE A FLAMMABLE OR TOXIC CHEMICAL.
COMPANY POLICY REQUIRES THE USE OF A RETURN CURRENT CABLE TO COMPLETE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT TO THE ELECTRIC ARC WELDING MACHINE ( SAY FOR ARC WELDING ON A CARGO TANK STEAM COIL ).
WHENEVER HOT WORK IS UNDERTAKEN THE FLAMMABILITY OF ADJACENT OR INTERCONNECTING AREAS MUST ALWAYS BE CONSIDERED AND ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS TAKEN.
On chemical tankers with Nitrogen plant, the oxygen content of the atmosphere can be exceedingly rich at the exhaust, exceed 22% by volume, which can impregnate flammable matter.
A space is SAFE FOR FIRE when:
-- --the concentration of flammable gas is less than 1% LFL, sludge and scale has been removed to the extent that ---- any residues will not produce flammable vapors under prevailing conditions or in the presence of hot work,
--all adjacent spaces have been appropriately prepared to prevent the spread of fire.
CHEMICAL TANKER HOT WORK PERMIT
Ship: Date: Time:
Identity of HOT WORK Space:
Reason for hot work:
Names of persons who will do hot work:
Validity of permit: From:
(cannot exceed 12 hrs ) To:
Question Yes No
1. Is the hotwork to be done in an enclosed space?
2. If yes, has an enclosed space permit been issued ?
3. If no, has the space been cleaned and combustibles removed?
4. Have you determined and sighted the space on the other side ?
5. Is the other side free of combustibles?
6. Has you checked both this side and other side for combustible gases?
7. If yes, then please enter the time and readings---------------------------------------------------
8. Is the hot work to be done on a pipeline?
9. If yes, have you removed the pipe piece?
10. If you cant remove is the pipeline cleaned , gasfreed and blanked?
11. Will you use a return line cable to prevent the circuit from using the pipeline?
12. Is suitable fire fighting equipment ready for use?
13. Is adequate illumination provided ?
14. Is the work piece electrically isolated?
15. Is proper PPE being used?
16. Have you obtained hot work permission in writing from the company?
17. Has OOW (Bridge, E/R, CCR) been advised ?
18. Will a copy of this permit and the RISK ASSESSMENT be displayed at the site?
19. Are you aware that any work which involves continious sparks require a HWP?
Master (name, signature, date , time):---------------
Responsible officer in charge of hot work ( name, signature, date, time ):---------------
HOT WORK IN A RESTRICTED AREA MUST NOT COMMENCE BASED ON THE ANTICIPATION OR ASSUMPTION OF RECEIPT OF WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE COMPANY.
When requesting authorisation to carry out hot work the following procedure must be complied with:
--Each job must be the subject of a separate request.
--Each request must give sufficient details of the actual hot work involved for the job to be properly assessed.
--Each request must confirm that the precautions required by the appropriate sections of this Chapter have been complied with.
--Each request must confirm that a Gas Free Certificate and a Hot Work Restricted Area Work Permit will be issued in accordance with these instructions.
--Each request must give the anticipated start and finishing times of the job.
A hot work authorization will normally remain valid for no more than 24 hours. After this period the ship must request an extension of the authorization confirming the status of the job commenced and the precautions taken.
Brief daily progress reports should be sent to the Company. These reports must confirm that all precautions continue to be maintained. The Company must be advised when the job is completed.
After authorization for hot work has been received from the Company, the ship must continue to monitor the environment to ensure that safe conditions are maintained for the duration of the job.
This is the responsibility of the Chief Officer and Second Engineer who will be responsible for completing, on a daily basis, a Gas Free Certificate and a Hot Work Restricted Area Work Permit.
Every precaution must be taken to ensure that there is no cargo oil or hydrocarbon product in any heating coils. While compressed air will flush out product from a heating coil, it will not break down the clingage on the sides of the piping and the addition of air may create a flammable atmosphere.
Steam is the only convenient and safe method of purging heating coils and must be used. It has an added advantage in that the condensed water within the coils lodges at the bottom of the system thus inerting the coils within the work area. Continue the steaming of coils until all signs of oil disappear from the return piping on deck.
The engine room workshop is not considered a Controlled Area as long as suitable Chief Engineer's Hot Work Safety Rules for Engine Room Workshop are clearly displayed on site, laying down the minimum safety requirements and procedures for any hot work in that space.
No hot work is to be carried out in port whilst the ship is at a loading or discharge terminal or where port authorities have hot work restrictions in force.
Tests for flammable gases must be made on all ventilation systems that draw air from the outside of the Controlled Area and ventilate the worksite. Hot work is prohibited within 0.5 metres of the shell of any fuel, diesel, lube oil tank or any other tank containing a potential source of Hydrocarbon or flammable gases.
-------CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL
( 30 YEARS IN COMMAND )
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From: XXX- Master
Date: Wed, XX Dec XX 19:33 +1000 Msg: A05768-67286
Subject: XX/ SYNERGI --HWP AND ENCL SPACES ENTRY
To: XXX VP
dear sir,
pl find 2 nos synergy reports.
AS YOU KNOW ON XXXX MINDLESS WELDING IN SHIPYARD WITHOUT "RETURN
CURRENT CABLE" -- HAD DESTROYED LOT OF PLC S' AND MICROPROCESSORS.
IN ADDITION TO THE SAFETY/ MANDATORY FACTOR AN ENCL SPACES PERMIT ON A CHEMICAL TANKER WHICH DOES NOT HAVE THE WORD "MSDS" SHEET -- IS INDEED PATHETIC.
we are in the year 2009-- not 1979.
swollen epoxy like sponge desorbs solvent chemicals, making eyes burn -- like what happen on XXX ship 6 months back--
-- causing the chief engineer to fall unconscious ( carcinogenic benzene fumes ).
AND ASKING SUCH A PROFOUND QUESTION, IN XXXX HOT WORK PERMIT --ITEM 1.15 -
"HAVE ALL PRECAUTIONS DESCRIBED BY ISGOTT, CODE OF SAFE WORKING
PRACTISES AND COMPANY SQUEMS BEEN TAKEN?
-- you expect a tick mark for this right?
-- IT IS AS RIDICULOUS – NAY- STUPID AS ASKING "HAVE YOU GOOGLE SEARCHED FOR ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS PRIOR ENTERING A TANK!!"
best regards
capt ajit vadakayil
master
XXX
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Email: XX@vsl.XX.com
Local GSM: (+ XXXX (in port only)
Inm-B: Tel: +(870) - XXX(Master's cabin)
- XXX (Bridge & CCR)
Tlx: XXX
Fax: XXX
Inm-C: Tlx: XXX
" barnacles burn bunkers , ego burns energy "
