Angostura Field Development

FIELD OPERATIONS

ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT ISOLATION

PRACTICES

GG-ANG-WP-00-0011-W02

REV DATE DESCRIPTION ORIG CHK APPR

0 Oct 2004 Issued for use R. Panchorie S. Sinclair C. Grenz
Trinidad and Tobago Asset
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT ISOLATION PRACTICES
Document No.GG-ANG-WP-00-0011-W02
Revision No.: 0
Issue Date: October 2004

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ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT ISOLATION PRACTICES
Document No.GG-ANG-WP-00-0011-W02
Revision No.: 0
Issue Date: October 2004

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. PURPOSE.........................................................................3

2. SCOPE........................................................................... 3
3. REFERENCES.................................................................3
4. DEFINITIONS..................................................................4
5. RESPONSIBILITIES..........................................................6
5.1 OPERATIONS TEAM LEADERS (OTL)........................................................................6
5.2 SENIOR OPERATIONS TECHNICIAN (SOT).................................................................6
6. SAFETY AND/OR ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
PROCEDURE..........................................................................6
6.1 SAFETY CRITICAL POSITIONS...................................................................................6
7. SAFETY AND/OR ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS...........7
7.1 GENERAL................................................................................................................ 7
8. PLANT AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS.........................8
9. PROCEDURE..................................................................9
9.1 480VAC AND BELOW ELECTRICAL ISOLATIONS...............................................9
9.1.1 Exposed live conductors.................................................................................9
9.2 HIGH VOLTAGE WORK............................................................................................10
9.3 ISOLATION OF IMPULSE OR SIGNAL LINES................................................................10
9.4 ISOLATION OF INSTRUMENTATION WIRING AND ACCESSORIES...................................10
9.5 ISOLATIONS AND LOCKING (ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENTATION/MECHANICAL).................11
9.5.1 Locking Isolations.........................................................................................13
9.5.2 Isolation Lockout Box...................................................................................14
9.6 INSTALLATION OF OVERRIDES.................................................................................15
9.7 Isolations Using Shutdown System Workstation..................................................15

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ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT ISOLATION PRACTICES
Document No.GG-ANG-WP-00-0011-W02
Revision No.: 0
Issue Date: October 2004

1. PURPOSE
This document describes the isolation methods and lockout / tagout system
required for Electrical and Instrumentation equipment prior to any maintenance
or repairs to the electrical equipment. This is to ensure safety of personnel and
the facility.

2. SCOPE
This document applies to all electrical and instrumentation equipment at
facilities operated by the Trinidad Operated Asset Team. It includes all activities
on site including contractor activities, i.e. construction, commissioning,
operation, maintenance, return to service, emergency, modification or
demolition of equipment. This document excludes reference to High Voltage (in
excess of 480VAC) equipment. Procedures for operation and maintenance
activity on HV equipment is referenced in GG-ANG-WP-00-0011-W08 High
Voltage (HV) Electrical Work Practices (Over 480 VAC).

3. REFERENCES
Procedures:

GG-ANG-WP-00-0011 Field Operations Permit to Work

BHP Billiton Fatal Risk
Control Protocol # 8 Isolation

Work Instructions:

GG-ANG-WP-00-0011-W07 Hot Work Practices

GG-ANG-WP-00-0011-W06 Danger Tag Work Practices
GG-ANG-WP-00-0011-W08 High Voltage Electrical Work Practices
(Over 480VAC)
GG-ANG-WP-00-0031 Hazardous Area Classification

Forms:

GG-ANG-WP-00-0011-F01 - Field Operations Danger Tag

GG-ANG-WP-00-0011-F06 - Isolation Certificate

Standards:

NFPA 70E - Standard for Safety in the Workplace

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4. DEFINITIONS
Isolation tag A tag applied to an isolation point that prohibits all use,
operation or start-up of plant and / or equipment.
Routine work Work that does not require a permit and is covered by a
procedure, work instruction or checklist.
Non – routine An activity that is outside the regular operation of the site.
work Non-routine work is not normally covered by a management
system procedure, work instruction or checklist.
Group This is achieved when a single common isolation point that
isolation isolates more than one unit of equipment.
Multiple An isolation point that is locked and tagged by more than
isolation one person.
Short term An isolation in place for one shift period or less.
isolation
Long term An isolation in place for more than one shift period.
isolation
Software Overrides that either electronically set and hold a device or
overrides electronically defeat an output action for emergency and
safety shutdown systems.
Shall To be used for stating mandatory instructions.
Should To be used for stating recommended instructions.
Alive Having potential difference between conductors to earth or
to non-electrical parts.
Critical Safety, Environmental, Business or Operational critical
Activity activity.
Critical A piece of equipment or a structure whose failure, or not
Equipment performing to design specification, is likely to result in
fatalities, a major loss to property or process or which could
have a significant environmental impact or non-conformance
with regulations or other health and safety requirements
(HSEC Standards)
Dead A circuit which is at earth potential and which is
disconnected from all possible sources of supply.
De-Energised A circuit disconnected from all possible sources of supply.
But is not necessarily isolated, earthed or out of
commission.
Earthed Connected to the general mass of earth in a manner to
ensure and maintain an effective dissipation of electrical
energy.
Hazardous Area in which an explosive atmosphere is or may be
Area expected to be present in quantities such as to require
special precautions for the construction, installation and use
of electrical or electronic equipment or the conduct of hot
work

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Safe Area A non-hazardous area.

Authorised Is authorized to carry out the isolation and de-isolation of high
Switching voltage equipment for work defined as High Voltage Electrical
Person (ASP) Work. This includes switching circuit breaker and contactor
integral earths.

An Authorized Switching Person is someone who:

 Has successfully completed the High Voltage Electrical
Isolations CBTA.
 Has been formally trained as an electrician, electrical
engineering craftsman or technician.
Accompanying Is a person who shall accompany the ASP during switching
Person (AP) operations and who acts as a safety observer, being
responsible for carrying out predefined actions in an
emergency. The AP may only assist with the isolation and de-
isolation of electrical equipment. The person shall be suitably
qualified in first aid and CPR and be instructed as to his actions
in an emergency by the ASP.
Senior Is authorized to carry out the isolation and de-isolation of high
Authorised voltage equipment for all works, including that work defined as
Switching High Voltage Electrical Work. This shall include the application
Person (SASP) of safety earths and the testing of high voltage electrical
equipment.

A Senior Authorized Switching Person is someone who

 Has successfully completed a company recognized
training course pertaining to High Voltage Switching and
Isolation.
 Has successfully completed the High Voltage Electrical
Isolations CBTA.
 Has been formally trained as an electrician, electrical
engineering craftsman or technician.
High Voltage A form of declaration initiated by the Authorised Switching
Switching Person and sanctioned by the OTL, authorising isolation of or
Permit access to high voltage electrical equipment
Tag/Tagging A "Danger - Do Not Operate" tag attached to switchgear/
equipment and/or its control equipment conveying a warning
that work on the electrical system is not completed and the
switch-gear/equipment shall remain out of service.
Personal Isolations applied by a competent person to Category C or D
Isolations isolations (as defined in the Plant and Equipment Isolation
Practices), and electrical equipment that is NOT defined as
High Voltage (over 480 VAC).

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5. RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1 OPERATIONS TEAM LEADERS (OTL)

The OTL shall be responsible for the overall control of the isolation of electrical
equipment.
The Operation Team leader shall ensure that personnel working under his/her
control are trained in the requirements of this procedure and that their
understanding is validated at periodic intervals.

5.2 SENIOR OPERATIONS TECHNICIAN (SOT)

The Senior Technician shall be responsible for managing the day-to-day
isolations of low voltage electrical equipment.

6. SAFETY AND/OR ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

PROCEDURE
Covered implicitly in Section 7

6.1 SAFETY CRITICAL POSITIONS

This Procedure has relevance to the following safety critical positions,
SOT OTL SASP
Any authority to supervise or execute processes covered by this procedure
shall not be exercised by the above position (s) until competency has been
demonstrated.

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7. SAFETY AND/OR ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

7.1 GENERAL
Under no circumstances shall electrical equipment certified for use in
hazardous areas and located in a hazardous area be opened or dismantled
unless the power supply has been correctly isolated and tagged or, a hot work
permit has been issued and a gas detector has proved absence of any
hydrocarbons. The isolation of equipment in hazardous areas must include the
disconnection of all lines or phases and where practical this should be carried
out in the non-hazardous area. Refer to GG-ANG-WP-00-0031 Hazardous
Area Classification.

At the first opportunity (i.e. after a terminal box cover is removed) the supply to
the equipment must be proved to have been de-energised by the use of a
certified voltage detection device.

Any tags used for isolation of electrical equipment must be completed in

accordance with the Danger Tag Practices work instruction.

Where possible the isolated conductors should be taped together and to earth
to prevent build up of charge through induction. After the isolated equipment
has been disconnected from the cables in the field all the active conductors
should be taped together. If the equipment is to be removed for some time the
field cables should be terminated in a suitably certified junction box.

For all equipment located in hazardous areas the isolation must disconnect all
conductors. For intrinsically safe instrumentation this includes both active
(black and white) conductors. For single-phase systems this includes both
active and neutral. For three phase systems this includes all three active
conductors and the neutral conductor if present.

No jewellery, rings, ear rings, exposed body piercing, necklaces etc. will be
allowed when working on any electrical or instrumentation equipment.

This procedure does not cover isolation / de-isolation of wells during

simultaneous drilling and production operations.

In many cases multiple power supplies are present in equipment panels.

All multiple sources are to be identified. All equipment still to be treated
as live until tested dead. TEST BEFORE YOU TOUCH.

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8. PLANT AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with Permit to Work procedures, all potentially hazardous

energy sources shall be identified and isolated before performing work on any
piece of equipment.

Isolation shall provide protection and be achieved by the use of locking

devices, or establishment of a physical barrier or separation where locking
devices cannot be used. All physical barriers or separations shall be provided
with a permanent or temporarily fitted locking device whenever possible.

Personnel should be aware of all energy sources that may present a hazard,
such as:

 Electrical wiring and equipment

 Hydraulic fluids
 Pneumatic lines
 Stored energy (springs, batteries, etc.)
 Pressurized pipelines and vessels
 Potential energy from suspended parts (gravity)
 Any other sources that might cause unexpected mechanical movement.

All affected employees must be trained in these isolation procedures. Re-

training will also be conducted whenever inspections reveal deficiencies in
employee knowledge or failure to follow these procedures.

In order to demonstrate competency, employees trained in these procedures

should be able to identify the following:

 When and why should equipment be isolated?

 What are some examples of potentially hazardous energy sources?
 Knowledge of various electrical energy sources. Ability to describe a
“back-feed” power source.
 Which types of drawings are used to identify electrical isolation? (One
lines, motor schematics, panelboard schedules, etc.)
 What are the requirements for a written isolation procedure? (Power
sources, clearly identified isolation points, applicable testing equipment,
safety precautions, PPE, etc.)
 When should you verify that the isolation has been achieved, and how
might you do this?

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9. PROCEDURE

9.1 480VAC AND BELOW ELECTRICAL ISOLATIONS

Isolation of low voltage electrical equipment, including most instrumentation
systems, fire and gas systems, solenoid valves, lighting, most DC power
systems, and 480VAC power circuits shall be regarded as Personal Isolations,
subject to the provisions of the Permit to Work procedures. Electrical
isolations shall be carried out to ensure that the specified equipment is
electrically isolated and that appropriate measures are in place to prevent
accidental energization.

Prior to application for an Isolation Certificate, a written plan shall be

developed to isolate the equipment from its source voltage. All power sources
shall be identified, including primary, secondary, temporary, sources for
electromagnetic induction and possible back feed sources, along with a
description of the source, voltage, origination, and destination points. Isolation
points shall be clearly identified on one line drawings, schematics, and
panelboard drawing as appropriate.

All required safety equipment (i.e. gloves, arc flash suit, arc face shield, rubber
mats, hot stick, etc.) needed to perform the work must be identified, as well as
its location.

Every point of isolation shall be tagged. These points of isolation shall also be
locked once provisions for locking exist.

Prior to working on the "isolated" system, the wiring shall be checked using
certified test equipment. Proper operation of the test equipment shall be
verified before and after its use by applying a known voltage to its input. All
phase-to-phase and phase-to-ground, and neutral wiring (if present) shall be
checked, in order to assure full isolation.

IMPORTANT: An attempt shall be made to operate the equipment by its local

start/stop station or switches as appropriate to verify isolation of the correct
equipment.

9.1.1 Exposed live conductors

Work to be executed in low voltage electrical panels, junction boxes and other
similar enclosures shall be examined for multiple sources of voltage. The
integrity and location of the guarding installed in and around the multiple
sources shall be examined to ensure that inadvertent contact between
personnel and source is prevented.

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9.2 HIGH VOLTAGE WORK

Isolation of High Voltage Electrical equipment shall not be regarded as
Personal Isolations subject to the provisions of the Work Permits procedure.

Before commencing any work on high voltage electrical equipment, a High

Voltage Work Certificate shall be completed.

The High Voltage Switching Certificate covers control of isolation, de-isolation

and work on HV electrical equipment. It is required when work is to be
performed on any electrical system above 480 VAC.

Reference should be made to GG-ANG-WP-00-0011-W08 High Voltage (HV)

Electrical Work Practices (over 480 VAC) for more detailed information on the
isolation / de-isolation of HV electrical equipment.

9.3 ISOLATION OF IMPULSE OR SIGNAL LINES

Impulse signal lines include pneumatic, hydraulic and process fluid lines
connecting instrumentation to the process variable to be measured or
controlled.

When any impulse line is isolated the point of isolation shall be tagged. When
any impulse line is to be broken, this point shall also be tagged if the point of
breaking is not adjacent to the "point of isolation".

When the "isolation" or "disconnection" is on a system that is part of a

Protection/Shutdown/Blowdown or Control Loop an Isolation Certificate and a
Work Permit shall be issued to cover the work.

The Isolation Certificate shall list the items to be isolated, and the contingency
plans to be used whilst the line is isolated shall be detailed on an appropriate
Work Permit. This should include alternative arrangements made to protect
system integrity.

9.4 ISOLATION OF INSTRUMENTATION WIRING AND ACCESSORIES

Wiring and accessories include all detector devices, control devices, wiring,
switching and protection devices and indicating devices, including Fire and
Gas Panel systems, inputs and outputs.

When any device is isolated and/or disconnected for any reason, the point of
isolation and/or disconnection of the device shall be tagged.

When the "Isolation" or "Disconnection" is on a system that is part of a

Protection/Shutdown/Blowdown or Control Loop an Isolation Certificate and a
Work Permit shall be issued to cover the work.

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The Isolation Certificate shall list the items to be isolated, and the contingency
plans to be used whilst the line is isolated shall be detailed on an appropriate
Work Permit. This should include alternative arrangements made to protect
system integrity.

9.5 ISOLATIONS AND LOCKING

(ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENTATION/MECHANICAL)

Isolation of equipment identified by the DM/OTL as critical (see definitions)

shall be padlocked and locked out in accordance with the following procedure.

Step Checklist

Isolation Required

Isolation Certificate (IC) approval by OTL.

1.

The Isolation Authority (IA) shall lock out and tag the points of isolation as per the
2.
Isolation Certificate, by means of uniquely numbered padlocks and keys. The
equipment lockout padlocks and keys shall normally be controlled by the IA, with a
complete backup set of keys controlled by the DM/OTL. The IA shall keep a lockout
logbook, noting application and removal of all padlocks and key numbers.
Upon application of the padlock(s) at the points of isolation, the IA shall return the
3.
padlock key(s) to the SOT to be placed inside the Isolation Lockout Box (ILB).

The OTL shall confirm the equipment is isolated as per the Isolation Certificate.
4.

The SOT shall lock the padlock keys in the ILB by placing them in the ILB and
5.
removing the ILB Master Key. The ILB number and IC number shall be entered in the
ILB register.
The ILB Master Key shall be held by the OTL.
6.

When a permit is raised against the Isolation Certificate, the SOT shall remove an
7.
individual key from the ILB, further locking the ILB (by means of the ILB multiple lock
mechanism).
The SOT shall then give the individual ILB key to the Permit Recipient for the
8.
approved Permit to Work (entering details of the permit type and associated ILB
number in the ILB register). At this point, the ILB cannot be opened without the use of
the individual ILB key held by the Permit Recipient.
When the Permit Recipient has completed the task and the work permit is signed off,
9.
the individual ILB key shall be returned to the SOT and placed in the matching ILB
multiple lock mechanism (status entered in ILB register).
Steps 7, 8, and 9 may be repeated for multiple work permits which may be raised
10.
against a single Isolation Certificate.

As all associated work permits raised against the Isolation Certificate are closed out,
11.
the individual ILB keys shall be placed by the SOT into the ILB multiple lock
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mechanism (status entered in ILB register).

De-Isolation Required
Isolation Certificate de-isolation approval by the OTL.
1.

The OTL shall insert the ILB Master Key, and the ILB can now be opened, provided
2.
that all individual ILB keys are in place. This confirms that all work associated with the
Isolation Certificate has been closed out.
The padlock keys for the points of isolation can now be removed from the ILB and
3.
returned to the Isolation Authority.

The Isolation Authority shall de-isolate by removing all padlocks and tags. Equipment
4.
shall be re-energized in accordance with the work permit. Status shall be entered on
the Isolation Certificate and lockout logbook by the IA.
The keys Locks & Tags shall be returned to the SOT for storage and checking (entering
5.
closeout details in the ILB register)

Note: Numerous ILB's can be in force for additional associated work and Isolation
Certificates. Each ILB shall have a unique box number referenced in the ILB register.

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9.5.1 Locking Isolations

ILB Key issued to Permit

All Isolations
Recipient on completion of
Remain in place
Isolation

All Isolations NO
All Isolations
Padlock Keys
Padlock
palced in theKeys Work
palced
Isloation in the
Lockout Completed
Equipment Isloation Lockout
Box (ILB).
Isolations re Isolation Box (ILB). Permit to work on All PTW keys
ILB Key Permit
Isolation Padlock Keys Equipment placed in ILB Lock
ILB locked by ILB Recipient
Certificate ILB locked by ILB
Master key & return key to
Master
number of key
ILB & SOT
number of
keys required for ILB
keys required for
permits
permits
Master Key

OTL

Certificate De-Isolation
YES
OTL to open ILB with master key

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9.5.2 Isolation Lockout Box

Isolation Lockout Box

(ILB)
Master key

Indiviual Keys when

Isolation Keys removed activate lock
Placed in
Isolation
Lockout Box Indiviual Keys when
1 removed activate lock

Indiviual Keys when

2 removed activate lock

More than one Isolation

Lock out Box can be in
operation to control
multiple
activities

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9.6 INSTALLATION OF OVERRIDES

Overrides include both Electrical and Mechanical Overrides. This may take the
form of an electrical jumper lead, an electrical switch or a mechanical override
such as a valve or impulse tubing installed for the purpose of overriding the
action of a device or system.

The point of "Override" shall be tagged.

All overrides shall be documented by an Isolation Certificate, registered in the

CCR log and Machinery Control Room as relevant and their activation and de-
activation witnessed by the SOT.

The override of PSLL and LSLL trips to facilitate plant start-up should not be
required. The trips of plant Emergency Shutdown System (ESS) have been
designed to take into account plant start-up by facilitating the resetting of
systems for a specified time interval until they are operating within normal
parameters.

9.7 ISOLATIONS USING SHUTDOWN SYSTEM WORKSTATION

Overrides can be applied via the Emergency Shutdown System (ESS)

workstation. These can defeat safety critical protection devices. All overrides
shall be covered by an Isolation Certificate and shall be noted in the log
adjacent to the workstation.

Field devices can be “forced” to a desired position via the ESS workstation
(e.g. blowdown valve forced to the closed position). These can defeat safety
critical protection devices. All forces shall be covered by an Isolation
Certificate and shall be noted in the log adjacent to the workstation.

When an override or force is applied via the Emergency Shutdown System,

this shall be noted in the Production Log Book. At the end of every shift the
“Device Out of Service/Bypass Summary Display on the Process Control
System (PCS) shall be printed. It shall be read, signed and filed by the
incoming shift as part of the shift hand over procedure.

An override of a safety critical protection device or the forcing of a control

output, to facilitate work on a system, shall be noted in Section 4 of the
relevant permit by the SOT. The SOT shall also list the details of the
contingency plan to be followed for the period when the override / force is in
effect.

End of Document

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