Permit Writer (Pro Services)

Reports to the Specialized Safety Personnel Manager of Field Safety Services. Has the ability to issue/write safe work permits, hot work permits, and confined space entry permits. Performs jobsite safety audits. Assists with compliance to client safety program and policies.

About Total Safety

Total Safety is the world's premier provider of integrated safety and compliance services and the products necessary to support them, including gas detection, respiratory protection, safety training, fire protection, compliance and inspection, industrial hygiene, onsite emergency medical treatment/paramedics, communications systems, engineered systems design, and materials management. Our Core Values are People, Safety & Wellbeing, Accountability, Responsibility, Empowerment, Honesty, Transparency, and Integrity.

Responsibilities

• Audits compliance with regulatory agency requirements.
• Reports unsafe conditions/acts/behaviors to appropriate management personnel.
• Monitors contractor work activities and reports deficiencies.
• Conducts/participates in safety meetings as scheduled by management.
• Maintains trend tracking documentation as required by client management.
• Monitors housekeeping throughout the work area.
• Assists with incident investigations as required by client.
• Performs gas testing and issues permits for general, hot work, confined space work.
• Understands, interprets, and provides leadership and positive support for the spirit and intent of the facility’s safety program.
• Participates in daily progress update meetings during turnarounds and/or project activities.
• Daily interface and support of contractor safety department representatives.
• Daily/regular field inspections/audits of work in progress.
• Assists with Daily Safety Observations to trend safety in the area (or similar programs).
• Daily random auditing of active work permits.
• Discusses with operations, maintenance, and contractors on issues pertaining to safety.
• Communicates incident details to appropriate departments and/or contractors.
• Daily auditing of lock out tag out, hot work, confined space entry.
• Tracks near misses, first aids, and accidents.
• Assists with inputting incident information into applicable databases when required.
• Assists with accident investigations.
• Provides feedback to Client Representatives on issues/trends identified that relate to safety performance.
• Develops an understanding of the units and processes in the area.
• Interacts and works with the site Operations organization.
• Develops good communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Responds to routine requests for information.
• One-on-one communications with operations, maintenance, and contractors.
• Facilitates and participates in Job Safety Analysis with operations, maintenance, and contractors when appropriate.
• Assists in safety oversight of non-routine procedures, including:
  • Hot tap procedures
  • On Stream leak Repair Procedures
  • Inert entry procedures
  • Confined space entry and hot work
• Safety Plan reviews.
• Participates/facilitates/conducts safety meetings – as required by the Client.
• Issues work permits (hot work, cold work, confined space entry, etc.) as required.
• Audits blinding lists/requirements for compliance with facility/regulatory agency requirements.
• Performs gas testing associated with permit scope.
• Ensures compliance with LOTO, energy isolation, blinding, etc. associated with permits.
• Ensures equipment affected by the work permits has been cleaned and tested and deemed safe for the work to be performed.
• Ensures areas within the permit scope are secure and all hazards (fire prevention, sparks, and chemicals) are abated before issuing permits.
• Ensures proper PPE is utilized for permit work.
• Regularly oversees/audits compliance with permit requirements and scope.

Requirements

• Occupational safety/health degree or equivalent combinations of technical training and/or industrial related safety and health experience.
• Thorough understanding of all federal, state, local, company, and client regulations.
• Ability to recognize hazardous situations and recommend corrective measures is essential.
• Good interpersonal and communications skills required.

Qualifications

All Permit Writers will have a minimum of 8 years direct related safety experience in the petrochemical/refining industry, or a minimum 10 years’ experience in operations with 5 years direct related safety experience. Additionally, all Permit Writers will have previous experience writing permits in the petrochemical/refining industry. All permit writers will comply with Client permit procedures and gas testing requirements as a minimum. Additional testing, beyond the plant procedures, including blinding, lock out/tag out, energy isolation associated with permits must be reviewed and discussed with operations management, project management, and contractors to ensure personnel and equipment safety. It is imperative that permit writers be trained in specific plant permit procedures BEFORE undertaking permit writing and gas testing duties.