The Work Party is the list of personnel nominated by the WPA and Signed-on to the Permit who are authorised to perform the Scope of Work at the nominated Job Site for the duration specified on the Permit.
Responsibilities of Work Party members include:
- Having the required competencies: the required qualifications, licences, and certificates for the work being conducted and being able to provide evidence if requested. This particularly applies to persons engaged in occupations requiring specific qualifications or licences as defined by controlling legislation or regulation
- Fully understanding the work being conducted and the related risks and controls: a Permit Briefing is undertaken by the WPH to confirm the Work Party fully understands the Scope of Work, Job Site, authorised duration of the work, all Work Precautions and associated Ongoing Controls. The Permit Briefing will typically involve a review of the work-related Risk Assessment (JSA, etc.) and any SOPs that might apply
- Signing onto the Permit: each Work Party member must agree to abide by all Work Precautions and Ongoing Controls by legibly printing their full name and then Signing-on to the Permit Form or accompanying Work Party Acceptance Form
- Not exposing themselves or others to risks: each member of the Work Party must conduct themselves in a safe and responsible manner and ensure that they comply with the Permit requirements, all relevant policies, procedures, and guidelines at all times
- Stop work if conditions change: Work Party are required to notify the WPH and stop work if any variance to the Scope of Work occurs or if site conditions change. They should then conduct a review of the Risk Assessment with the WPH to confirm that risk controls remain effective to control all work-related hazards
- Call out unsafe behaviours: where unsafe work practices are identified, Work Party members should stop work and request a review of the Risk Assessment to ensure that all hazards are identified, and risks controlled before continuing. Each person on site has a responsibility to contribute to assuring that a safe working environment is maintained
- Stop work immediately in a declared emergency: the Job Site should be made safe, if practicable, and then all Work Party members are required to report to the designated Muster Point in accordance with the wellsite’s Emergency Response Plan
- Sign off the Permit: upon completing their work under the Permit, each Work Party member must remove any personal lock and/or danger tags and then Sign-off the Permit Form or accompanying Work Party Acceptance Form.
Work being conducted under a Wellsite Permit to Work will typically have the potential for elevated risks to health and safety. It is therefore essential that Work Party members have the required skills and experience to conduct the work, and fully understand all aspects of the activities being undertaken.
More information
For more information about the Wellsite Permit to Work System contact the Association on 1800 078 939 or email us [email protected]