The Permit to Work (PtW) system allows you to apply to work on the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant (CWTP).

The Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant (CWTP) contains many hazards and access is strictly controlled. All Council contractors must have a valid CWTP permit to work when working in the CWTP process areas.

The permit system ensures that we:

  • Identify all hazards and risks for the process area and your work.
  • Document the agreed controls.
  • Confirm all isolations are planned and effective.

CWTP permits are held by the Council and are distributed to all staff at CWTP. The permit information helps CWTP staff to complete any process reconfigurations and equipment isolations, know who to contact, and ensure that all people at CWTP go home safe and well. The maintenance contractor can use them to know what is happening, whom to contact and to ensure the safety of staff on-site.

CWTP permits also notify the applicant of any special conditions and precautions they should take in doing the work to ensure that the CWTP continues to function correctly and safely.

Before submitting the permit to work application, you may also require an approved automation change request(external link) if the work involves electrical work, automation, SCADA, control systems, calibration or instrumentation. A permit-to-work application requiring this work will not be processed without an approved automation change request.

Who needs a CWTP permit to work

Contractors wishing to carry out any work in the CWTP process areas, or any high-risk activities at CWTP.

Subcontractors, please note that all CWTP permit-to-work applications must be submitted by the Head Contractor.

Deciding if you need a permit to work

Use the below to help identify any risks associated with your activities and whether a permit is required.

A Permit to Work (PTW) is mandatory where a yes has been listed in the PTW required column. Where 'To be confirmed' is noted the permit receiver and permit issuer must discuss controls with the permit issuer to determine if a permit is required.

Confined space permit to work PTW required PTW required and notify Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa (Worksafe)
Are you entering a restricted space that is enclosed or partially enclosed that is not intended or designed as a regular place of work? Yes No
Are you entering a restricted space that is enclosed or partially enclosed that could have harmful levels of contaminants, oxygen deficiency or excess, or could cause engulfment or drowning? Yes No
Will your head enter the confined space? Yes No

 

Craneage permit to work PTW required PTW required and notify Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa (Worksafe)
Will you be using a crane or any lifting appliance including a Hiab (or equivalent)? Yes No
Will you be using a hoist block on a fixed rail or wire?  No No
Will you be using a stacker or conveyor whereby a load is moved by means of a belt or platform? No No
Will you be using earth-moving, mineral-moving or excavating appliances not fitted with a grab unless it has been specifically designed to lift loads? No No

 

Excavation permit to work PTW required PTW required and notify Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa (Worksafe)
Will you be digging, excavating, or breaking the ground in any way?  Yes No
Are you doing any demolition to any building or structure that involves non-minor structural alterations? Yes No
Is there potential to break through into a wall cavity or through the wall thickness? Yes No
Are you digging trenching or shaft more than 1.5m deep and which has a depth greater than the horizontal width at the top? Yes Yes
Are you working in an excavation where ground cover will be overhead? Yes Yes
Will the excavation have a face with a vertical height of more than 5 metres, and an average slope steeper than a ratio of 1 horizontal to 2 vertical? Yes Yes

 

Hot works permit to work PTW required PTW required and notify Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa (Worksafe)
Will you be applying heat, using a naked flame, an open heat source, or work that produces sparks? Yes No
Will you be cutting with a rotary disk or grinding equipment, soldering, brazing or using a heat gun? Yes No
Will you be using gas, welding, arc welding, or oxyacetylene welding equipment, including cutting with the equipment? Yes No
Is there a potential source of ignition? Yes No

 

Working at height permit to work PTW required PTW required and notify Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa (Worksafe)
Will you be working at a height of less than three metres? No No
Will you be working at a height of three metres and above? To be confirmed No
Will you be working at a height of five metres or more? Yes Yes

High-risk activities

Contractors must apply for special permits for the following high-risk activities:

If in doubt, contact us(external link) to enquire whether a permit is required.

Apply for a permit to work (PtW)

Download the permit to work template for the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant. Send all relevant paperwork to CWTPpermit@ccc.govt.nz

Complete a Job Safety Analysis form(external link). 

We'll endeavour to assess your request within five working days to confirm one of the following options:

  • Permit Approved. The Head Contractor will receive the approved permit documentation. Ensure you commence work only after approval has been given.
  • Permit Rejected. The Head Contractor will be advised of this if the risk of the activity is too high for our operations and/or conditions to perform the activity are not optimal.
  • Permit Deferred. The permit may be deferred to allow for various site constraints. The Head Contractor will be contacted to reschedule.

Please be aware that approved permits may change in status to one of the following options:

  • Permit On Hold. The permit may be placed on hold for reasons outside of Council and Contractor control, such as COVID-19 restrictions.
  • Permit Suspended. The permit may be suspended where the special condition and precautions are not adhered to or where the work impacts the safe water treatment.

Important

Please be aware that the permit to work only assesses whether the work impacts the correct and safe operation of the CWTP. It is important to note that the permit to work:

  • Does not assess the safety of the work itself. Contractors need to work with their client and Council to ensure that a safe work method has been appropriately reviewed and approved before applying for this permit.
  • Does not assess the design or standards of workmanship. Contractors must cooperate with their client and Council to ensure all relevant design and construction reviews are completed before applying for this permit.

Permit requirements

  • All permit paperwork must be carried or easily accessible by the contractors at all times.
  • All visitors and contractors must sign in on arrival before entering the process area and sign out when leaving a site.
  • All persons working on-site must have completed a CWTP induction within the last two years before being allowed on-site.
  • You must adhere to the requirements of the Permit to Work system.
  • Follow all site rules/ instructions.
  • Be aware of CWTP hazards and advise CWTP of any hazards you may introduce.
  • All personnel on-site must comply with the minimum PPE (personal protective equipment) standard.
  • All personnel on-site must comply with the policies set out by the Council and any legislation related to our workplace.

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