Work Notification and Permit to Work System

Darwin Port's Work Notification and Permit to Work System is an important tool in planning work, managing communication between Port Users, deconflicting simultaneous work activities and determining potential hazard control mechanism to support safe systems of work at Port facilities. This includes vessels that intend to conduct work on the external parts of the vessel using plant and equipment operated from the wharf deck. 

There are three components to the Work Notification and Permit to Work System, each with a differing focus, as detailed below:

  1. Landside Permit to Work
  2. Non Permit to Work Notification
  3. Seaside Permit

Specific information relating to each of these components is provided below, with further detail relating to the governance of the system provided within the Port Notice PN/026 Permit to Work System. 

User participation in the Work Notification and Permit to Work System is a mandatory requirement and involvement at the earliest opportunity minimises health and safety risks, change concerns, operational conflicts and maximises hazard and risk identification and mitigation. 

Instructions to use the Darwin Port Permit to Work System are found within the Contractor Expectations. 

 

Landside Permits

A Landside Permit to Work is required for all high-risk work activities, as listed below:

  • Excavations 150mm or deeper (Darwin Port assets only)
  • Penetrations into buildings, structures and blind surfaces (Darwin Port assets only)
  • Work in any confined space
  • Floor Plate/Hand Rail Removal (Above grade)
  • Crane Hoisted Work Box )Man Cage)
  • Critical Crane Lifts (i.e. Dual Lifts, Lifting over Line Service)
  • Work at Heights
  • LV Electrical and Mechanical Isolations
  • Fire Protection Impairment (Darwin Port assets only)
  • Disabling of Emergency Alarms/Sirens
  • HV Switching
  • HV Vicinity/Access
  • Work over Water (Darwin Port assets only)
  • Diving Operations alongside EAW & FHW
  • Hot Works in a defined Hazardous Area
  • Any High Risk Construction Work as defined in the NT WHS Regulations (s) - 291 - 303

Usernames and passwords will be distributed to existing contractors. If you do not have, or have not received instructions, please contact the Darwin Port Representative (the person who engaged the Contractor) or Darwin Port Facilities, Maintenance Manager on 8919 0832.

Further instructions are included within the portal, however the following should be noted:

  1. The Permit to Work application MUST be lodged two (2) business days prior to when you need the permit. 
  2. Relevant supporting documentation related to the planned task is required to support the Permit to Work application. This includes, but is not restricted to, task specific JSEA(s) and a Traffic Management Plan. 

Once your Permit to Work application is submitted, you will receive a reply email within two (2) business days either advising that your permit is ready or requesting further information. 

Once you have received your email that your permit is approved and ready for collection, you can attend the Darwin Port Permit Office. 

On completion of works, the Permit to Work form must be closed out by submitting it through the Permit to Work app.

 

Non-Permit to Work Notification

A Non Permit to Work Notification is required for all work activities that do not require a Permit to Work and involves the following steps:

  • The task JSEA should be submitted by the Contractor to the Darwin Port Representative a minimum of two (2) business days prior to the works being undertaken. 
  • On acceptance of the submitted documentation, contact will be made by the Darwin Port Representative notifying the Contractor that the work is approved to proceed. At this stage, internal notification will also be forwarded by the Darwin Port Representative to internal stakeholders advising of the planned activities. 
  • Upon arrival on site:
     
    •  The Contractor undertaking the task is to attend the Darwin Port Permit Office. At this time, the following must occur:
       
      • The Port Landside Operations Officer is to be informed that the work group is on site utilising the phone located in the Darwin Port Permit Office.
      • The Contractor must sign-on to the Attendance Register also located in the Darwin Port Permit Office. 
  • Upon completion of the task:
     
    • The Contractor is to attend the Darwin Port Permit Office. At this time, the following must occur:
       
      • The Port Landside Operations Officer is to be informed that the task has been completed and personnel are departing site, utilising the phone located in the Darwin Port Permit Office. 
      • The Contractor must sign-off from the Attendance Register.

 

Seaside Permits

Permits are required for specific tasks undertaken on board vessels berth at East Arm Wharf, Fort Hill Wharf or on anchorage. Further details for Seaside Permits can be found at Vessel Permit Requirements.

 

Business Hours Contact

All Permit enquiries should be submitted during business hours and directed to Darwin Port Facilities, Maintenance Manager on 8919 0832.

 

After Hours Contact

Please contact the Port Landside Operations Officer on 1300 327 946.

 

The Darwin Port Permit to Work System Port Notice is issued pursuant to Section 57 of the Ports Management Act 2015 (NT).