Access Authority and Permit to Work Procedure

Purpose. This procedure describes how access authorities and permits are requested, issued, held, transferred and cancelled for work on or near network apparatus.

1.Types of access

An electrical access authority is issued for work on apparatus that has been isolated, proven de-energised and earthed. A vicinity authority is issued for work near live apparatus where safe approach distances will be maintained. A test permit is issued for testing that requires earths to be removed. A rail traction access is issued by the operations centre in coordination with the rail operator's track protection. The access recipient must hold the authorisation for the type of access.

2.Requesting access

The team leader will request access at least three business days before planned work by entering the request in the access and permit register with the work order, the apparatus, the isolation points required, the earths required and the access recipient. Emergency access for faults will be requested by radio or phone to the network controller and recorded in the register immediately after.

3.Issuing access

The network controller will confirm that the switching program has been completed, that isolation points are locked and tagged and that earths are applied, then issue the access authority to the access recipient by reading it back and recording the time and authority number in the register. The access recipient must repeat the details back and sign the access form before work begins.

• Switching program complete and confirmed
• Isolation points locked and tagged
• Earths applied and recorded
• Authority read back and signed
• Time and number recorded in the register

4.Holding access

The access recipient is responsible for the safety of every worker under the authority and must brief them at the tailgate on the limits of the access, the earths and the apparatus that remains live. Working earths will be applied at the work site before work starts. The access recipient must not leave the site while the authority is held unless it is transferred to another authorised recipient through the network controller.

5.Cancelling access

When work is complete, the access recipient must confirm all workers are clear, working earths are removed, tools and materials are clear of the apparatus and the apparatus is fit to be restored, then cancel the authority with the network controller by read back. The controller records the cancellation time before restoration switching begins.

6.Records

The access and permit register is the record of every authority issued and cancelled. Access forms are attached to the work order and kept for at least seven years.