In this article, we will learn about line-breaking activity, the hazards of line-breaking permits, and examples of linebreaking. In some industries, it is also known as hazardous work permit.
We discussed various types of safety work permits, such as hot work permits, height work permits, etc. A line-breaking permit is one of them. Like any other job, line opening includes hazards that can result in personnel injury, damage to property, and material loss.
Implementing strict protocols during line breaks is important as it reduces the chances of chemical exposure to workers on the job.
Now, let’s start with the definition of line breaking in safety, followed by examples and a line-breaking checklist.
Table of Contents
What is a line break? definition
A line break refers to planned work for any changes in the process line, such as line opening, bolting or bolt removal, flange loss, line replacement, valve changing, blind application or removal, or equipment servicing.
Line breaks are crucial for ensuring safety and preventing any potential accidents or contamination. During a line break, all materials flowing through the pipeline are drained out, and necessary precautions are taken to ensure that no hazardous substances or vapors escape into the environment.
OSHA line breaking procedure
In some industries, line breaking is considered a separate permit such as hazardous work pemit, and in some organizations, line breaking is considered an existing work permit such as hot work, height work, or hot work
Before issuing work to permit to perform line breaking job, line treatment/job preparation should be done.
- LOTO should be done if the line is connected to the electrical equipment.
- Line material should be drained in the designated container
- line and should be flushed with inter gas (N2)
- The line should be de-pressurized.
- Venting, draining, isolation and decontamination of the line should be done.
Along with these permits, a line-breaking checklist is to be issued and the below are the points that should be included in the checklist and to be followed.
- Line breaking checklist.
- Job description and location.
- HIRA, JSA, or SOP present with SDS (Safety data sheet).
- Line treatment status (Flushing, venting, isolation) for decontamination of line.
- Activity to depressurize lines, empty out or draining.
- Line isolation tag / Blind list.
- All the required PPEs are provided, and tools are present at the location.
- Safety precautions / Special PPEs required.
- LOTO of the connected pump or equipment, if required.
- P&Id attachment.
- Duties of standby person.
- A present of a safety shower.
As the permit is issued, alternate bold should be loosened in the presence of a standby person and area operator to ensure the absence of gas, pressure, or chemicals.
Line break example example of line break
To have a better understanding, we have listed down what are the line breaking examples.
- Line replacement
- Control valve replacement/ Opening for maintenance from the line.
- Isolation valve replacement from the line.
- Tie point/flange provision/ line cutting for tapping using hot work in the line.
Potential Hazards in Line breaking
Line breaking is a critical job as it can potentially harm a person. The most common cause of accidents in line breaking jobs is an isolation valve passing problem.
What is the hazard associated with line break?
- The presence of high pressure and high temperature.
- Present of steam.
- The presence of toxic material, corrosive material, and dangerous gases
Precautions in Line breaking
As we know, there are hazards in line break activity, and precautions need to be taken to prevent chemical exposure to a person.
What is control measures associated with line break?
- Proper communication about the work to be conducted and information about potential hazards with the person going to work on that line.
- Only trained people should be allowed to do the job.
- Proper inspection, along with line isolation and line breaking checking to be attached to the issued permit.
- All the persons involved in the job, including the process and maintenance personnel, should have proper knowledge about the chemical from the SDS.
- Required PPEs, such as a protective suit, cartridge mask, chemical gloves, and scrubber line suction or breathing apparatus, should be present near the job location.
- A fire extinguisher or fire hose should be present if required.
- An area monitor should be present for continuous area monitoring.
- Ensure no hot work is being under progress near the job location.
- LOTO to be done if any electrical equipment such as a pump, compressor, or blower, is connected to it.
- Isolation valve to be tagged with Do not operate tag and to be ensured if the valve is not having passing problems
- If the line is to be put in open condition, blinding should be done, and the area should be barricaded.
These are the precautions that should be taken care of while issuing line breaking job safety permits.
What is hazardous work permit?
Some permits depend on the industry type, such as hazardous work permits in agrochemical industries. These permits are issued for jobs such as chemical line opening, steam or condensate line opening, Pump dismantling work, etc.
Similar to line breaking, the purpose of a hazardeous work permit is to ensure safety while opening line containing chemicals.
FAQ (When is a line breaking Permit)
1. What is the line break in OSHA?
Linebreaking is an authorization to perform work to open a line in which there is a possibility of the presence of hazardous chemicals or high pressures.
2. When is a line breaking Permit required?
A line breaking permit is required when line opening is done in which hazardous, corrosive, toxic material, high pressure maybe be present that can cause an accident.
3. What are the hazards in line break permit?
In line breaking job, here are the of hazards. Presence of high pressure and high temperature. The presence of toxic, corrosive, and dangerous gases
4. What is a hazardous work permit in Industry?
In some industries, a hazardous work permit is issued for opening a line containing chemicals. While in other industries, line breaking checklist is attached with the primary permit such as height work or hot work permit.
Summary
This was a detailed article on What is line breaking, what is an example of line break and when to issue a line breaking permit. If you have any doubts or suggestions, feel free to contact us through the comment section or Contact Us page. You can follow us Chemical Tweak LinkedIn as well.
