Energy Isolation Standard

To keep you safe we use isolations to separate you from danger. By

securely disabling machinery or equipment, we thereby prevent the risk of
inadvertent start-up or the release or transmission of hazardous energy,
while performing activities such as servicing and maintenance.

Verify isolations and zero energy before work begins.

18 Safety Management Standard HSE-STD-100060 Rev 0 05 March 2019

Energy Isolation Standard • Machinery and equipment reinstatement following a
This standard applies to any work which requires the repair, service or maintenance activity
isolation of a potential energy source conducted by or on • Planning for emergencies and rescue
behalf of a Wood business.
Engage:
In certain cases, a client’s isolation process may take
precedence as defined in any agreed HSSE interface • Full understanding and awareness of the importance of
agreement. This standard represents the minimum energy isolations
requirement for energy isolations for Wood personnel, • Effective communications for isolations, among all involved
sub-contractors and relevant third-party organisations
working for or on behalf of Wood, regardless of any other • Safe use of work equipment
less stringent process. • Conformation with this standard
Businesses must document their isolation processes to Intervene:
demonstrate compliance with this standard.
• Workers must be reminded of the importance of using
Businesses must have appropriate isolation procedures their Stop Work Authority
in place (e.g. mechanical, electrical, instrumentation,
pneumatic) prior to work commencing on machinery/ 1.2 Design – eliminating or reducing risk
equipment/systems. This will allow all repairs, service or Design processes must take into account the following:
maintenance work to be conducted safely and effectively.
• The foreseeable need to ensure a positive isolation
1.1 Organisation - Prepare, Engage, Intervene on equipment for any repairs, service or maintenance
Businesses must ensure that all isolation(s) work activity during its life cycle (e.g. plant change,
under the control of Wood, or which can impact Wood maintenance, inspection)
personnel, including short notice and emergency work is • Eliminate or reduction of the risk of exposure to
properly prepared, that everyone is aware of their duty hazardous energy sources through safety by design
and responsibility to engage and intervene if necessary,
prior to work commencing or during the activity. 1.3 Worker responsibility

The process takes into account the following: 1.3.1 Workers must not conduct, alter or remove an isolation/
tag unless authorised to do so by a responsible person.
Prepare:
1.3.2 Workers conducting isolations must ensure all work
• Assigning a named competent person accountable for equipment (e.g. mechanical – blinds/spectacle plate,
the organisation and planning of isolations spades, gaskets, electrical - safety padlock, equipment
• Define the work scope and identify equipment that is mounted interlock, circuit breakers etc.) used during
potentially impacted by the activity isolation(s) are correctly certified and rated for the
purpose intended, as per isolation procedures.
• Machinery and equipment isolation requirements (e.g.
all potential hazardous energy sources) 1.3.3 Workers must attach a personal lock (e.g. lock out/
tag out) where applicable.
• Hazard identification, risk assessment/job hazard
analysis and selection of control measures in 1.3.4 All isolations must be verified, and a zero-energy test
accordance with ‘Element 4 Risk Management of the completed prior to work commencing.
Blue Book 1.3.5 Workers must not remove any personal lock except their
• Safe system of work to ensure that isolations are own unless authorised to do so by a responsible person.
conducted safely and effectively
• The management and control of locked open/closed 2.0 Competence
valves, safety and environmentally critical devices 2.1 Workers engaged in isolation/de-isolation activities
including those involved in the organisation, planning,
• Preparation of a written method statement/activity authorisation, verification, inspection and supervision
hazard analysis must be competent.
• De-energising of stored energy 2.2 The named competent person assigned to meet the
• Provision of locks, tags and key controls to help identify requirements of clause 1.1 must be competent in isolation
and control isolations operations and activities including:

• Verification and monitoring of isolations • Understanding the purpose, principles and practices of
isolation procedures and safety rules
• The competency of workers involved in the isolation
process (e.g. mechanical isolations, high and low voltage • Types of hazards and control measures for energy
isolations, instrument isolations etc.) isolations

• Allocation of an appropriate level of supervision for • Reading and interpretation of plans and drawings (e.g.
workers conducting isolations piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID’s), loop
diagrams cause and effect diagrams and relevant
• De-isolation for testing power supplies) applicable to the isolations

Safety Management Standard HSE-STD-100060 Rev 0 05 March 2019 19

2.3 Workers engaged in the installation and removal of • Equipment description
isolations must be competent.
• Sub system (if applicable)
2.4 Workers must be trained in the safe and proper use of
• Isolation method (e.g. locked, tagged, spade/spectacle
work equipment used for isolation activities.
plate, removal etc.)
2.5 Businesses must have a formal process for appointing
• Isolation status (e.g. normal, isolated, de-isolated)
competent personnel who are authorised to safely
implement/remove isolations. • Isolated by – name
2.6 Individuals who work on isolated plant and equipment • Isolation verified by – name
must verify the effectiveness of the isolation before work
• Isolation date and time
starts.
• Criticality of the isolation (e.g. lock open/lock close double
3.0 Isolation process isolation etc.)

3.1 An isolation of an energy system cannot proceed 3.7 Isolation must be installed as close to the worksite as
unless the method of isolation and discharge of stored reasonably practicable to assist in the following:
energy are agreed and executed by a competent • Security of the isolation
person(s).
• Monitoring of the isolation
3.2 All isolation points must be clearly and unambiguously
identified by a competent person. 3.8 Only approved certified mechanical, electrical and
instrument isolation devices to be used (e.g. flanges,
3.3 Actuated valves must only be used as part of an spades/spectacle plates, circuit breakers, locks etc.).
isolation if the fail-safe condition is closed and all motive
power (e.g. electricity, air, steam, hydraulic fluid) to the 3.9 All isolation points must be clearly labelled and be
valve has been physically disconnected from the actuator. cross referenced to the isolation control certificate/lock-
In instances where a valve needs to be in a fail-safe open out tag-out permit.
condition (i.e. to release pressure to bleed points) this 3.10 Tests must be conducted to confirm and verify
does not form part of the isolation. equipment is isolated and that machinery/equipment
3.4 Businesses must ensure the method and details of is de-energised/depressurised and is secure from
isolation (e.g. valve, blind/spectacle plate, circuit breaker, inadvertent start up.
switch or fitting etc.) is agreed by a competent person 3.11 Businesses must ensure a concise list of all isolations
and authorised by a by a responsible person and client is recorded and checked against when returning
where applicable. machinery/equipment to use.
3.5 Isolations requirements must be included on a safe 3.12 In the event of a deviation or suspected deviation the
system of work. (e.g. permit to work - PTW, confined isolation method must stop, and the isolation process is
space entry - CSE, work instruction - WI) and all isolation re-evaluated and approved.
requirements requested and recorded (e.g. isolation
control certificate (ICC)/lock-out tag-out (LOTO) permit,
which must include the following information as a 4.0 Mechanical isolation
minimum: 4.1 Where reasonably practicable businesses must ensure
• Isolation control certificate/lock-out tag-out permit a positive isolation (e.g. appendix 1 - Isolation methods)
number is in place prior to any break in activity commencing.
A positive isolation must be in place for the following:
• Source of energy to be isolated (e.g. mechanical,
electrical, instrumentation) • Vessel entry

• Controlling PTW number • Isolation of toxic fluids or gases: or

• Work scope for which the energy isolation is required • To control the segregation of parts of a machinery/
equipment that might otherwise be exposed to over
• Name, signature and date of ICC/LOTO permit creator pressure conditions
• Isolation details 4.2 Where clause 4.1 cannot be achieved then measures
must be taken to ensure the protection of workers from
• Sanction to test if applicable
exposure to potentially hazardous energy sources.
• Approval to isolate (e.g. name, signature, date and
time) by recognised authority
• Approval to de-isolate (e.g., name, signature, date and
time) by recognised authority
3.6 Isolation details referenced in clause 3.5 must include
the following information:
• Isolation number

20 Safety Management Standard HSE-STD-100060 Rev 0 05 March 2019

This must take into account the following processes: 5.9 Multimeters and non-contact voltage indicators must
not be used for proving that a circuit is de-energised
• Proved isolation where the isolation can be confirmed
(i.e. dead). The use of multimeters is not considered
via vents/bleed points (e.g. appendix 1 – Isolation
suitable for proving a circuit is de-energised due to it
Methods)
being very easy to select the wrong range on the meter
• Full plant/equipment shutdown itself. In addition, the multimeters relies on battery power
to function, thus there is a greater margin for error in
• Non-proven isolations, which do not confirm
making a false ‘dead’ reading on a live circuit.
effectiveness of valve closure prior to breaking into a
system (e.g. appendix 1 – Isolation methods) 5.10 To avoid any risk that the supply could be reinstated,
appropriate locking devices and warning tags must
4.3 Isolation and bleed points (e.g. point of venting) must
be placed at all points of switching, isolation or
where possible be the 1st isolation point both upstream
disconnection. The warning tags must take into account
and downstream from the break in point.
the following:
4.4 All equipment (e.g. blanks/spectacle plate, spades,
• Tags to be clearly understandable
flanges, plugs etc.) used in connection with mechanical
isolations must be appropriately rated (e.g. to withstand • Signed and dated by all personnel involved in the work
the system/test pressure), installed with the correct or by the person in charge of the work party
gaskets and utilising all securing bolts.
• Where reasonably practical tags must only be removed
by the signatories on the tags
5.0 Electrical isolation
5.11 Businesses must ensure workers are supplied with
5.1 Workers must consider electrical equipment to be and wear appropriate protective clothing suitable for the
energised (i.e. live) until proven de-energised (i.e. dead) by task.
a competent person.
Personal protective equipment requirements must take
5.2 Where reasonably practical, carrying out work on or into account the following:
near live electrical systems must be avoided.
• Safety glasses/full face shield
5.3 Businesses must ensure all electrical equipment to
be worked on is isolated from all sources of supply by • Long sleeve cotton shirt/pants
(e.g. opening switches, removing fuses, switching circuit • Flame resistant and non-synthetic clothing
breakers etc.).
• Leather/insulating gloves
5.4 Switching on client systems is prohibited, unless
authorised and trained by the client to do so. • Leather safety shoes/boots

5.5 The general workflow by which an isolation will be • Arc flash protection as applicable
progressed is based upon the following seven key steps • Insulating mats, safety rescue hooks and barriers
for electrical safety:
1. Clearly identify the work location Example of Arc Flash protection as applicable
2. Disconnect and secure against reconnection (i.e.
including downstream-back-feeds from generators etc.)
3. Protect against other live parts
4. Take special precautions when close to bare conductors
5. Check the installation is de-energised (i.e. dead)
6. Carry out earthing and short circuiting (i.e. secondary
earthing is important as we often must rely on our
client’s equipment being adequately rated)
7. Issue a permit to work, including isolation/de-isolation
certificate.
5.6 Testing of electrical equipment with an approved
test meter for the purpose of confirming equipment is
isolated is not considered live work unless specified by
local/national legislation.
5.7 All tools and equipment to be voltage rated for the
equipment to be worked on. Where applicable, tools must
also be evaluated with regards for the need to be spark proof.
5.8 Following the isolation of equipment or circuit, an
approved voltage detector must be used to prove equipment
is de-energised (i.e. dead). The approved voltage detector
must also be tested before and after use with a proven unit.

Safety Management Standard HSE-STD-100060 Rev 0 05 March 2019 21

6.0 Isolation for confined space entry • A system to periodically check that status and integrity
6.1 Businesses must ensure any task involving a confined of each extended isolation
space entry is securely isolated from energy sources • A periodic review of the status of each item to decide if
and ingress of substances. Confined space entry must the isolation is still appropriate
have a positive isolation (e.g. complete separation of
the machinery/equipment to be worked on from other • Periodic audit plans
parts of the system as detailed in appendix 1. Isolation
methods). 9.0 Emergency preparedness and rescue
6.2 The requirements of Wood – Confined Space 9.1 An emergency response plan must be in place before
Standard must be met to ensure isolation requirements work starts that takes into account:
• Foreseeable emergency situations relating to isolations
7.0 De-isolation (e.g. contact with hazardous energy)
7.1 On completion of work, removal of isolation locks and • Rescue procedures, people and equipment (e.g. in the
tags, de-isolation for test/commissioning of machinery or event of contact with hazardous energy)
equipment must be performed with the same controls as
used during the isolation, locking and tagging process • Role of the emergency services

7.2 Where reasonably practical isolation locks and tags 9.2 Only trained and competent personnel to carry out
must only be removed by the person who applied them. If rescue operations of an incapacitated worker(s) exposed
this is not practicable the following must apply: to hazardous energy.

• Verify that the person who placed the isolation lock and 9.3 Before work starts all personnel involved in the
tag is not available planning and execution of isolations/de-isolations must
be briefed on action to be taken in the event of an
• Make all reasonable effort to contact the person emergency.
• Ensure that the machinery/equipment is in a safe
operable condition and has been inspected by a
competent person
• Remove lock out and tag
• Test/re-commission plant or equipment
• Ensure the person who applied the isolation lock
and tag is informed that the machinery/equipment
has been tested and/or returned to service and all
documentation has been signed off by the appropriate
representative
7.3 Where applicable a check must be undertaken to
ensure there is no build-up of pressure, potential energy
from rotation or structure movement behind the isolation
point.
7.4 Conformation of plant integrity must be recorded
before removal of isolations.
7.5 Businesses must ensure a register to control the
removal of equipment, which is used for isolations, is in
place and maintained.

8.0 Extended isolation

8.1 Businesses must ensure a clear record is kept of
any isolation, which is to remain in place after work is
complete.
8.2 Extended isolations must be subject to a formal risk
assessment/job hazard analysis and may also be subject
to a Management of Change requirement.
8.3 Extended term isolations must be positively isolated
and be marked on relevant P&ID’s. Extended isolation
controls must include the following:
• A register identifying all such isolations and the reason
for the extension

22 Safety Management Standard HSE-STD-100060 Rev 0 05 March 2019

Appendix 1 - Isolation methods

Safety Management Standard HSE-STD-100060 Rev 0 05 March 2019 23