ADOSH-SF Code of Practice 21.0 - Permit to Work Systems

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Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and
Health System Framework
(ADOSH-SF)
Code of Practice
CoP 21.0 – Permit to Work Systems
Version 4.0
July 2024

ADOSH-SF – Codes of Practice
CoP 21.0 - Permit to Work Systems - Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024 Page 2 of 20
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Training and Competency ........................................................................................................................... 4
3. Requirements .................................................................................................................................................. 5
3.1 Roles and Responsibilities ................................................................................................................. 5
3.2 Planning and Assessment.................................................................................................................. 5
3.3 When is a Permit to Work Required?.............................................................................................. 6
3.4 Permit to Work Procedure.................................................................................................................. 7
3.5 Specific Roles and Responsibilities ................................................................................................ 9
3.6 Scope of a Permit to Work ............................................................................................................... 11
3.7 Hazard Identification ......................................................................................................................... 12
3.8 Control Measures Implemented ..................................................................................................... 12
3.9 Simultaneous Conflicting Activities ............................................................................................. 12
3.10 Communication .................................................................................................................................... 13
3.11 Close Out ................................................................................................................................................ 13
3.12 Verification of Isolations .................................................................................................................. 14
3.13 Management of Change ................................................................................................................... 14
3.14 Emergency Situations ....................................................................................................................... 15
4. Record Keeping ............................................................................................................................................. 16
5. References ..................................................................................................................................................... 17
6. Document Amendment Record ............................................................................................................... 18

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1. Introduction
(a) This Code of Practice (CoP) applies to all employers within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
This CoP is designed to incorporate requirements set by UAE and Abu Dhabi regulatory
authorities. If requirements of this document conflict with requirements set by
another regulatory authority, employers are required to follow the more stringent
requirement.
(b) A permit to work (PTW) system is a formal recorded process used to control work which
is identified as potentially hazardous. It is also a means of communication between
site/installation management, plant supervisors and operators and those who carry
out the hazardous work. Essential features of PTW systems include:
(i) clear identification of who may authorize particular jobs (and any limits to their
authority) and who is responsible for specifying the necessary precautions;
(ii) training and instruction in the issue, use and closure of permits;
(iii) monitoring and auditing to ensure that the system works as intended;
(iv) clear identification of the types of work considered hazardous; and
(v) clear and standardized identification of tasks, risk assessments, permitted task
duration and supplemental or simultaneous activity and control measures.
(c) The PTW does not, in itself, make the job safe but relies for effectiveness on specified
personnel implementing its requirements conscientiously under competent
supervision. It is therefore essential that anyone undertaking hazardous work
demonstrates that they have followed an appropriate risk assessment process to
identify and minimize any hazard associated with the proposed work.

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2. Training and Competency
(a) Employers shall ensure that OSH training complies with the requirements of:
(i)
ADOSH-SF – Element 5 – Training, Awareness and Competency;
(ii)
ADOSH-SF – Mechanism 7.0 – Occupational Safety and Health Practitioner and
Service Provider Registration.
(b) Employers shall ensure that all relevant parties are competent to undertake their role
within the PTW Procedure.
(c) Training shall be developed that is specific to the entity and defines the roles and
responsibilities of each of the prescribed roles in Section 3.
(d) Further to role specific training, entities shall ensure that all staff has been given
awareness training on the requirements of the PTW procedure and how this affects
their role.
(e) Training shall be competency-based and include:
(i) overview of the PTW system;
(ii) legal and entity requirements;
(iii) responsibilities and authorities under the PTW system;
(iv) documentation requirements;
(v) how to close Permits;
(vi) PTW conditions e.g. validity, required signatures, precautions etc; and
(vii) emergency procedures.

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3. Requirements
3.1 Roles and Responsibilities
3.1.1 Employers
(a) Employers shall undertake their roles and responsibilities in accordance with the
general requirements of
ADOSH-SF – Element 1 – Roles, Responsibilities and Self-
Regulation Section 3.2.5.
(b) Employers shall ensure that all activities requiring a PTW are identified and managed
in a safe manner.
(c) Employer shall ensure that all persons involved with activities that require a PTW, are
competent.
(d) Employers establish a PTW system for non-routine activities.
3.1.2 Employees
(a) Employees shall undertake their roles and responsibilities in accordance with the
general requirements of
ADOSH-SF – Element 1 – Roles, Responsibilities and Self-
Regulation Section 3.2.7.
(b) Employees shall ensure they follow all the rules and regulation set by the employer
with regards to PTW.
(c) Employees shall ensure that they immediately report any hazard or information that
may affect, adversely or otherwise, the works being undertaken.
3.2 Planning and Assessment
(a) Employers shall evaluate each site or operation to determine if hazards are present
that require the additional control of a PTW and the workplace shall be assessed using
risk management practices as required by
ADOSH-SF – Element 2 – Risk Management.
(b) Employers shall ensure the following:
(i) an assessment of the various risks is undertaken and systems of work are
established which are safe to all parties involved or affected including the public;
(ii) that effective procedures and control measures are implemented in order to
manage activities safely and without risk to health;
(iii) that for the Building and Construction Sector the management of PTW
requirements are included in the Pre-Tender Environment, Health and Safety
Plan in accordance with
ADOSH-SF – CoP 53.0 – OSH Management During
Construction Work; and
(iv) that associated safe systems of work, and site rules are included in the Safety
and Health Construction Management Plan (OSH-CMP) in the case of the
Building and Construction Sector in accordance with
ADOSH-SF – CoP 53.0 – OSH
Management During Construction Work.

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3.3 When is a Permit to Work Required?
(a) PTW systems shall be considered whenever it is intended to carry out work which may
adversely affect the safety of personnel, plant or the environment. However, PTW
systems shall not be applied to all activities, as experience has shown that their
overall effectiveness may be weakened. Permits-to-work are not normally required for
controlling general visitors to site or routine maintenance tasks in non-hazardous
areas.
(b) PTW systems are normally considered most appropriate to:
(i) non-production work (e.g. maintenance, repair, inspection, testing, alteration,
construction, dismantling, adaptation, modification, cleaning etc);
(ii) non-routine operations;
(iii) high risk activities;
(iv) where two or more individuals or groups need to co-ordinate activities; and
(v) where there is a transfer of work and responsibilities from one group to another.
(c) Examples of hazardous activities that shall be controlled by a PTW system are
described in Table 1. Note that this is not an exclusive list of all activities that can be
included in a PTW system; entities shall identify activities that require a PTW through
robust risk assessment in line with
ADOSH-SF – Element 2 – Risk Management.

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Activity Definition Examples
Hot Work
• Work where a source of
ignition is present, or
where non- intrinsically
safe equipment is being
used and there is a risk
of fire or explosion
• Ionizing / Non-Ionizing
Radiation
• Welding, cutting,
grinding
• Use of Explosive
devices
• Any heat or spark
producing work
• Using of ionizing or non-
ionizing radiation or
radioactive sources
Confined Space • Work in a Confined
Space
• Personnel entry into a
confined space
Weather • Working in Extremes of
Temperature
• Work in very hot
conditions
Cold Work
• Any work that does not
include a source of
ignition but could affect
the safety of personnel,
equipment or risk to the
environment
• Ground disturbance /
Excavation / trenching
• Process of isolation of
plant and equipment
• Working at heights
• Electrical work
• Scaffolding (erection
and dismantling)
• Pressure testing
• Removal / isolation or
relocation of safety
critical equipment
Table 1 – Examples of Hazardous Activities
3.4 Permit to Work Procedure
(a) Employers shall develop a PTW procedure, specific to their undertakings, which
considers the following requirements:
(i) Ensures the appropriate authorization of designated work. This may be work of
certain types, or work of any type within certain designated areas other than
normal operations;
(ii) Identifies clear roles and responsibilities for all key people involved in the issue
and control of a permit;
(iii) Identifies competency requirements for all roles within the PTW procedure;
(iv) Defines the types of work, relevant to the organization that will require a PTW;
and

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(v) Subjects PTW documentation to a document control process including:
1. master control sheets;
2. unique reference numbers;
3. version control; and
4. controlled storage of completed permits and associated documentation
(e.g. Risk Assessments) according to
ADOSH-SF requirements.
(b) PTW documentation shall include supporting procedures, PTW forms and certificates,
such as isolations or clearances, risk assessments etc.
(c) PTW documentation shall clearly identify:
(i) employees undertaking the work;
(ii) the nature and extent of the job;
(iii) hazards identified through risk assessment process;
(iv) any limitations on the extent of the work;
(v) the timeframe during which the job may be carried out; and
(vi) the control measures implemented, including safe isolation from potential risks
such as hazardous materials, electricity and other energy forms.
(d) The PTW procedure shall consider the following requirements:
(i) Ensures that the person in direct charge of a unit, plant or installation is aware
of all hazardous work being done there.
(ii) Provides not only a system of continuous control, but also a record showing that
the nature of the work and the precautions needed have been checked by an
appropriate person or people.
(iii) Clearly specifies the appropriate display of permits for all relevant parties.
(iv) Provides a procedure for times when work has to be suspended.
(v) Includes the control of work activities that may interact or conflict one another.
(vi) Includes a formal procedure for use when a permit is required for a period longer
than one shift or 12 hours whichever is the lesser.
(vii) Includes a formal hand-back procedure to ensure that the works are completed
and the area / plant affected by the work is in a safe condition and ready for
reinstatement; and
(viii) Provides a process for change, including evaluating the impact of change on
other planned conflicting activity, a determination of when hazards need to be
reassessed, and a means for controlled communication of change.

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3.5 Specific Roles and Responsibilities
(a) The procedure shall identify clear roles and responsibilities for all key stakeholders
within the procedure. As a minimum the following roles and responsibilities shall be
identified and allocated to individuals within the entity. Each of the roles identified
shall be independent and cannot be held by the same person. Each role shall be
allocated to named individuals and shall be done formally in writing.
3.5.1 Permit Control Manager
(a) Employers shall nominate a competent person to be the Permit Control Manager.
(b) The Permit Control Manager is the senior manager for the
building/facility/project/plant and is ultimately responsible for the PTW system. The
permit Control Manager shall ensure that a competent Authorized Person is appointed
to issue and manage Permits, including:
(i) shall be a senior manager with appropriate competency and authority to ensure
that an appropriate PTW system is introduced;
(ii) shall ensure that all relevant employees have undertaking appropriate training,
as per Section 2 of this document;
(iii) shall ensure that appropriate procedures are established and maintained for all
work done under the PTW system;
(iv) shall have the necessary authority to control the operations being undertaken
and have the relevant competence on the facility, site or undertakings;
(v) shall ensure that arrangements are made for the workforce to be made aware
of the permits and systems, and trained in their operation;
(vi) shall ensure that the PTW system is monitored to ensure that it is effective and
correctly applied;
(vii) shall ensure appropriate control measures are implemented for any emergency
situations that may arise following non conformity with the PTW;
(viii) shall ensure that the PTW system is audited and reviewed; and
(ix) shall allocate appropriate resources to enable the PTW system to be
implemented.
3.5.2 Authorized Person
(a) The Authorized Person (AP) shall be given the authority to issue and sign permits on
behalf of the employer. It is essential that the AP has appropriate knowledge about
the hazards associated with the relevant activity to allow them to identify those
hazards and control measures (e.g. isolations) correctly, including:
(i) shall ensure that all foreseeable hazards associated with the proposed job have
been identified and appropriately assessed;
(ii) shall ensure that all steps necessary to ensure the safety of the site or
installation have been identified;

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(iii) shall ensure the work site has been examined, and all precautions specified
to be taken before work commences (including isolations) have in fact been
taken and shall remain effective while the permit remains in force;
(iv) shall verify that the permit holder, including further staff tasked with
undertaking works under the PTW, have appropriate competence to
undertake the role and fully understand the risks;
(v) shall ensure that the permit holder is aware of the precautions taken, any
additional ones which are to be taken, particular equipment to be used or
worn, and any other procedures which are to be followed;
(vi) shall ensure that any work activities that may work activities that may
conflict with one another are clearly identified and conflictions are avoided
or precautions included on the permit (e.g. use of welding shields);
(vii) shall ensure that all relevant people are aware of the permit’s duration, and
action to be taken if the work is suspended;
(viii) shall authorize, by signature, the work to proceed following confirmation
that all control measures are implemented and have been signed off;
(ix) shall ensure that copies of all issued permits are displayed at an appropriate
location and in a consistent arrangement so that site personnel can readily
see and check which equipment is under maintenance and not available for
operation;
(x) shall undertake ongoing inspections of the PTW to ensure risk control
measures are being maintained;
(xi) shall ensure that the work site is examined at any time when work is
suspended and before it is restarted, and finally when the work is completed
to ensure that the site is in a safe condition;
(xii) shall ensure that the shift handover procedure is complied with;
(xiii) shall ensure that the worksite is examined on completion of the works and
the PTW is correctly closed and the relevant persons informed; and
(xiv) shall ensure appropriate records of all permits and master controls sheet are
maintained.
3.5.3 Permit Holder
(a) The Permit Holder is the competent person who has requested the permit to be issued
and shall be fully responsible for the works whilst they are being undertaken. The
permit holder and AP (permit issuer) shall not be the same person. The permit holder’s
responsibilities include that he/she:
(i) shall ensure that they and the people working with them understand the
operation of (and the consequences of non-compliance with) the PTW
systems applicable to the areas in which they are responsible for work;
(ii) shall ensure any necessary information, instruction or training is given to
users to ensure that they understand the PTW systems and the specific
precautions required for their work;
(iii) shall ensure that the AP (permit issuer) and permit users fully understand
their responsibilities under the PTW system;

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(iv) shall ensure that the conditions and precautions specified in the permits are
fully understood, implemented and effectively monitored;
(v) shall immediately stop / suspend work if conditions require or if the PTW
requires change;
(vi) shall communicate effectively with all parties during the operation of the Permit;
and
(vii) shall ensure that all parties are aware of the completion of the works and the
permit is correctly closed with the AP.
3.5.4 Work Party
(a) The Work Party who undertakes the work shall comply with the requirements of the
PTW at all times including:
(i) shall understand the scope of work and the control measures implemented;
(ii) shall participate in the development or review of the risk assessment;
(iii) shall ensure that all control measures defined in the PTW are strictly followed;
(iv) Shall not interfere with the work of their colleagues and shall adhere to the roles
and responsibilities assigned under the PTW;
(v) shall cease work and inform the Permit Holder when there is a breach of the
PTW conditions; and
(vi) shall leave a clean and safe work site.
3.6 Scope of a Permit to Work
(a) There shall be a clearly defined and understood scope of work and validity period for
each Permit to Work.
(b) The PTW system shall be used to cover specific work activities. Each PTW shall
however only cover one work activity.
(c) The work conditions, boundaries and scope of work shall be clearly defined on the PTW
form, including the start and finish time of the proposed work.
(d) The period for completion of the work shall not exceed the maximum duration of the
PTW as defined by the start and finish time. The timeframes for a PTW shall not
exceed 12 hours or one working shift, whichever is the lesser timeframe.
(e) For the work to extend beyond the stated finish time the PTW shall be revalidated
(including re-approval by the person issuing the PTW) or a new PTW issued.
(f) The PTW system shall only allow for limited extensions or revalidations rather than
continuously extending previous PTW.

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3.7 Hazard Identification
(a) All hazards shall be identified and the risk assessed as per the requirements of ADOSH-
SF – Element 2 – Risk Management.
(b) At the planning stage an appropriate formal risk assessment shall be undertaken to
identify the hazards and assess the risks associated with the scope of work.
(c) The risk assessment shall identify any:
(i) concurrent conflicting activity hazards and their control measures;
(ii) requirements for workplace environmental monitoring (eg. confined space, hot
work, etc); and
(iii) control measures required for work that extends beyond a single shift.
(d) The risk assessment shall examine external influencing hazards and risks eg. hazards
that exist outside of the immediate scope of the work but may influence the safe
completion of the work. An example of this could be divers working below a platform
– the risk assessment shall consider activities on the platform which may affect the
diver’s safety (lifting, working over the side, etc.).
3.8 Control Measures Implemented
(a) All necessary control measures for the safe completion of the work shall be identified
on the PTW form and its associated supporting documentation.
(b) The Permit Holder shall confirm or verify that all control measures are implemented
before the commencement of work.
(c) In situations where there is a requirement for OSH critical equipment to be removed
from service (e.g. components of a fire safety system), the PTW shall identify the
control measures required during the isolation of this equipment. The Authorized
Person or delegate shall notify:
(i) other potentially affected parties on the facility; and
(ii) any relevant external parties.
3.9 Simultaneous Conflicting Activities
(a) Workplaces shall have control measures implemented to control risks associated with
concurrent or interacting activities. This process shall include the identification and
management of:
(i) interfaces between working parties; and
(ii) interfaces between contractors and the entity.
(b) Where a number of Permits to Work are in operation, the Authorized Person shall
designate a competent person to ensure that the interfaces are appropriately
managed.

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3.10 Communication
(a) Permit Holders shall communicate the requirements of the PTW to the members of
the Work Party.
(b) Work shall not proceed until all personnel working on the job confirm, by signature,
their understanding of the PTW requirements.
(c) The original PTW form and its associated documentation shall be displayed at the
worksite.
(d) A duplicate of all ‘live’ PTW forms shall be maintained in a central location (eg. control
room, supervisor’s office, permit office).
(e) Where work continues over more than one shift:
(i) the PTW shall be revalidated (including re-approval by the person issuing the
PTW) or a new PTW issued;
(ii) revalidation shall be subject to site inspection confirming the implemented
control measures are still appropriate;
(iii) a formal handover process shall be implemented to ensure:
1. effective communication of all relevant work details and control measures
between off-going and on-coming shifts; and
2. handover of Permit Authority, Permit Holder and Work Party
responsibilities.
(f) The communication of all necessary information shall be in a common language of
understanding.
3.11 Close Out
(a) When work is complete or there is a requirement to close the PTW:
(i) the Permit Holder shall ensure the work site is left in a clean and safe state and
where required a process is implemented to manage any follow-up work;
(ii) the Permit Holder shall sign the ‘hand-back’ section of the PTW form; and
(iii) the AP (permit issuer) shall initiate the removal of control measures originally
installed for the work to take place.
(b) When the work environment has been returned to a state of readiness for return to
normal duties, the AP (permit issuer) shall sign the ‘permit closure’ section of the PTW
form on both original and duplicate copy.

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3.12 Verification of Isolations
(a) All isolations shall be in accordance with
ADOSH-SF– CoP 24.0 – Lock-out and Tag-out
(Isolation).
(b) The Authorized Person shall verify all isolations as being implemented before
authorizing the PTW.
(c) Isolation certificates shall be included to record and communicate those isolations,
checks or other tests have been carried out by an AP (permit issuer). Certificates of
Isolation shall be attached to the PTW and entered into isolation register. Certificates
typically cover:
(i) electrical isolation / mechanical isolation;
(ii) ground disturbance;
(iii) gas testing; and
(iv) ionizing radiation.
(d) Certificates shall only be signed after an authorized and competent person verifies
that isolations and other required control measures are implemented, and the
Certificate cross referenced to the controlling PTW.
(e) The AP (permit issuer) shall confirm that all defined control measures have been
established and authorized signatories have fully implemented any Permit/Certificate
requirements.
(f) The Permit Holder shall confirm that the workplace is safe to commence work.
(g) Certificates are documents that define preparations that are additional to the prime
PTW requirements and are required for work to proceed. They do not, by themselves,
authorize work to proceed. They cannot stand-alone and shall always be accompanied
by a covering PTW.
3.13 Management of Change
(a) Where the work scope or circumstances change e.g. conflicts identified during the
work activity, work shall immediately cease and the PTW referred back to AP (permit
issuer).
(b) Where the scope of work or circumstances change the PTW shall be revoked, and a
new permit issued with the new control measures identified on it.
(c) If work covered by a PTW proceeds from one work shift to the next, the PTW form
shall be re-validated with the new (on-coming shift) AP (permit issuer) confirming that
it is safe to recommence work.
(d) Both the Permit Holder and AP (permit issuer) shall sign-off onto the re-validated PTW
form and the new Work Party briefed.

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3.14 Emergency Situations
(a) In any emergency situation, all Permits to Work shall be suspended until the facility
has returned to its normal status.
(b) All Permits to Work shall be revalidated or re-issued prior to work resuming.

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4. Record Keeping
(a) Employers shall ensure records of all permits and master control sheets are maintained
for a period of at least 1 year.

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5. References
•
HSG 250 – Guidance on Permit to Work Systems

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6. Document Amendment Record
Version Revision Date Description of Amendment
Page/s Affected
4.0
DATE
System acronym updated from OSHAD-SF
to ADOSH-SF to accurately reflect
document title
Throughout
Change from OSHAD to ADPHC
Change of Logo
Minor editorial changes throughout the
document without changing requirements.
Title of Mechanism 7.0 updated to ADOSH-
SF – Mechanism 7– Occupational Safety
and Health Practitioner and Service
Provider Registration
OSHAD-SF - Mechanism 8.0 - OSH
Practitioner Registration deleted

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