Handbook for Process Safety in Laboratories and Pilot Plants

21 Safe Work Practices and Contractor Management in the LAPP

21.1 RBPS Element 9: Safe Work Practices

Safe work practices are designed to help organizations manage risks associated with working on equipment that could be energized or contain hazardous materials. These work practices are often done by maintenance personnel or contractors involved with new construction or equipment modifications in a laboratory or pilot plant. In addition, these practices apply to researchers and technicians who may install new equipment or modify existing equipment for new experimental setups. They also apply to anyone who prepares equipment for maintenance. The risks are increased as the people performing the work may not be familiar with the area or with steps to be followed. The types of activities include but are not limited to:

• Hot Work: work that uses or generates ignition sources such as arc welding, use of cutting torch on metal, cutting metal and spark generation, use of torch for soldering
• Energy Isolation: work on equipment or systems with energy supplies or stored energy and shutting down and isolating utility supplies (inert gas, steam, cooling water, electric power opening process vessels or lines)
• Confined Space Entry: work in confined spaces, which has the potential to expose people to hazardous atmospheres or equipment
• Line Breaking or opening for lines under pressure (including compressed air), that contain or have contained hazardous chemicals (including asphyxiant gases ...