Interactive training course · 5 days

Permit to Work and Energy Isolation

تصاريح العمل وعزل مصادر الطاقة

Next date
1–5 February 2027Dubai
Fees from
⁦£2,950⁩per delegate
Formats
Classroom · Online4 sessions
Duration
5 daysCertificate

Overview

A large proportion of serious incidents in oil, gas and process plants occur during maintenance and non-routine work, when equipment is opened, energy sources are present and several teams are working at once. Permit to work and energy isolation systems exist to control exactly these situations, but they only work if people understand their purpose and apply them with discipline. This course covers the design, operation and auditing of permit to work systems and the principles of safe isolation for process, electrical and mechanical energy. Participants learn how permits are prepared, authorised, issued, suspended and closed, how isolations are planned and verified, and how simultaneous operations, shift handover and long-term isolations are managed. Lessons from major accidents, including Piper Alpha, show the consequences when these systems break down.

Objectives

  • Explain the purpose and key elements of a permit to work system
  • Describe roles and responsibilities of permit issuers, authorities and performers
  • Prepare and assess permits with appropriate hazard controls
  • Plan and verify process, electrical and mechanical isolations
  • Apply lockout, tagout and isolation certificates correctly
  • Manage simultaneous operations, handover and long-term isolations
  • Audit permit and isolation practices and close gaps

Who should attend

Permit issuers and area authorities, operations and maintenance supervisors, HSE advisers, contractor supervisors and engineers responsible for planning maintenance work.

Training methodology

The course is built around realistic work scenarios on simplified P&IDs and single-line diagrams. Participants prepare permits, carry out task risk assessments, design isolation schemes and identify errors in sample permits and isolation certificates. Role plays practise the conversations at permit issue and shift handover. Major accident investigations are analysed to link system failures to their consequences. Participants also audit a sample set of live permits, and the course closes with a practical assessment.

Programme outline

Day1Permit to Work Principles
  • Why permit to work systems exist
  • Lessons from Piper Alpha and other incidents
  • Types of permits and certificates
  • Roles: originator, issuer, area authority and performer
  • Permit life cycle
  • Interfaces with risk assessment and procedures
  • Practical exercise: identifying permit requirements
Day2Preparing and Issuing Permits
  • Work planning and scope definition
  • Task risk assessment and job safety analysis
  • Gas testing and atmospheric monitoring
  • Hot work, cold work and confined space permits
  • Site inspection before issue
  • Effective permit communication
  • Practical exercise: preparing a permit for a pump overhaul
Day3Energy Isolation
  • Hazardous energy sources
  • Isolation standards and hierarchy
  • Process isolation: valves, blinds and spades
  • Electrical isolation and proving dead
  • Mechanical and stored energy isolation
  • Isolation certificates and lockout/tagout
  • Practical exercise: designing an isolation scheme
  • Practical exercise: finding errors in an isolation certificate
Day4Managing Complex Work
  • Simultaneous operations and conflicts
  • Shift handover of permits
  • Suspension and revalidation
  • Long-term isolations and overrides
  • Contractor management under PTW
  • Reinstatement and handback
  • Practical exercise: SIMOPS conflict review
Day5Monitoring and Improvement
  • Permit audits and inspections
  • Common PTW failures and their causes
  • Leading indicators for PTW performance
  • Electronic permit systems
  • Building a culture of compliance
  • Live permit audit exercise
  • Final assessment

Dates and fees

1–5 February 2027February 2027
DubaiUnited Arab Emirates
Open
⁦£4,950⁩
15–19 March 2027March 2027
MadridSpain
Open
⁦£5,500⁩
10–14 May 2027May 2027
LondonUnited Kingdom
Open
⁦£5,950⁩
26–30 July 2027July 2027
OnlineOnline
Open
⁦£2,950⁩

Fees are in GBP. per delegate.

Certificate

Every delegate who attends the full programme receives a Harfard Technology certificate of completion stating the course title, duration, dates and venue.

Frequently asked questions

Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Every delegate who attends the full programme receives a Harfard Technology certificate of completion.
What is the difference between classroom and online?
The content and trainer are the same. Classroom sessions run in a training venue in the chosen city; online sessions are live with the trainer over the internet.
Can you run this course for our company?
Yes. We deliver the course in-house at your premises or in a city you choose, adapting examples and exercises to your facilities.
How do I register?
Choose a date and click "Register", or send your request from the contact page. Our team will contact you to confirm your seat and send payment details.

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