9-Safety System

The Whys ?

The non-controlled safety system by-pass might affect installation integrity and be at the origin of major accidents.

The must do's

All the safety organs and equipment must obligatorily function according to their basic designs so as to guarantee personnel safety and installation integrity such as the fire detection system, the fire extinguishing system, the equipment essential to safety, lock-out / tag-out on the activation system mechanisms, the safety valves, the fire/gas alarm systems, the controls of certain levels, the alarms, the crane computers, surveillance systems on board.

In case of necessary justified temporary surpassing of the equipment or safety barrier, one has to obtain a documented authorization from the top person responsible for the concerned site. This responsible person must, in his turn, refer to the technical authorities.

Also, the supervisor or the person in charge of the work must :

• Signal as « stationary » the critical safety equipment in the work place ;
• Label the by-passed safety equipment ;
• Make sure the given authorizations come from competent persons ;
• Make sure the by-pass is limited in time and is exclusively destined for preventive maintenance operations and inspection and should in no way substitute for temporary changes ;
• Conduct a risk analysis so as to determine the safety conditions as well as the required temporary compensatory measures ;
• Require and test the implementation of these measures (including personnel training and necessary communication) so as to submit the authorization ;
• Register the by-pass operations in the concerned register.