There are a number of ‘prescribed occupations’ that are defined by controlling legislation or regulation and that must only be performed by persons with the required qualifications, licences and certificates. An example of this is for persons handling and using explosives, such as perforating charges. There are also many tasks that require a minimum level of effective training and experience for demonstrating competence.
A common legal standard to determine negligence is whether a decision was made by “a person of reasonable competence” …
The Wellsite System has been designed to confirm that competent persons are making decisions relating to the work being performed, including during the work planning stage and while conducting the activities themselves.
The WPA is responsible for establishing a safe working environment for all work activities conducted under a permit. This includes confirming the name, role and currency of qualifications and certifications (where required) for all Work Party members. They are verifying that competent persons will be conducting the work and will be assuming responsibility for decisions made in their areas of specialisation for the permitted scope of work. This is intended to take place prior to the Issuing of the Permit.
The WPH is responsible for supervising all work that is conducted under the Permit issued to them, and with maintaining a safe working environment. They need to be confident that the nominated Work Party Members have the required competencies to perform the work safely and efficiently. For this reason, the ‘Qualifications Sighted’ element in Work Party Sign On must be more than a tick and flick exercise for the WPA.
To ‘establish a safe working environment’ the WPA must be confident that the people conducting specific aspects of the job have the required competencies for those activities. If required, the Digital Version has the ability to upload copies of qualifications into the Permit Pack, as evidence of certification currency.