Health, Safety and Environmental Permits
The following are descriptions of some of the HSE permits frequently used at Kodak Rochester sites. More specific information and assistance with obtaining these permits is available from the Kodak representative.
- Confined Space Permit
- Excavation Permit
- Open Flame / Hot Work Permit
- Railroad Blue Permit
- Road Block Permit
- Explosive Actuated Tool Permit
Confined Space Permit
No entry shall be made into a confined space until a Confined Space permit is completed, all conditions have been met, and the permit is posted at the site of entry. The permit system specifies safe entry requirements to ensure the safety and health of all entrants, (i.e., atmospheric testing, isolation of energy sources, provision for personal protective equipment, rescue plans, communication, etc.).
A Confined Space is defined as an enclosed area which may be bodily entered, but has a limited opening for entry and exit which meets any of the following criteria:
- is not designed for continuous human occupancy
- may present restricted exit
- contains, has contained, or may potentially contain atmospheric hazards such as flammable or combustible liquids or vapors, hazardous chemicals, toxic gases, oxygen enriched or deficient atmospheres
- has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section
- contains a material with the potential of engulfing an entrant
- contains, has contained, or may potentially contain physical hazards (i.e., electrical or mechanical)
Two types of confined space permits are used at Kodak Rochester facilities:
- GREEN PERMIT CONFINED SPACE -- A confined space that does NOT contain, nor has the potential to contain, atmospheric hazards such as flammable or combustible liquids or vapors, hazardous chemicals, toxic gases, oxygen enriched or deficient atmospheres or which does NOT require atmospheric testing, respiratory protection, chemical protective clothing, or specialized permits such as Open Flame or Asbestos Work.
- RED PERMIT CONFINED SPACE -- A confined space which contains, or has the potential to contain, atmospheric hazards such as flammable or combustible liquids or vapors, hazardous chemicals, toxic gases, oxygen enriched or deficient atmospheres or a space which requires atmospheric testing, respiratory protection, chemical protective clothing, or specialized permits such as Open Flame or Asbestos Work.
The contractor shall notify the Kodak representative at least 24 hours in advance to obtain a permit. Only individuals trained in confined space procedures will be allowed entry.
Excavation Permit
Prior to initiating any excavation project, an Excavation Permit must be obtained through the Kodak representative. These are required due to Eastman Business Park being designated an Inactive Hazardous Waste Site by the New York State Department of Conservation (NYSDEC). Depending on the complexity and size of the project, it could take between 7 days to 6 months to obtain the permit. The permit will outline health, safety, and environmental monitoring requirements and instructions for material handling and disposal. Permits are required for all excavations, no matter how small, (eg., fence post holes, planting landscaping, etc.).
Open Flame / Hot Work Permit
Kodak Rochester has a strict Open Flame/Hot Work permit process in order to protect its personnel, property, the environment and to maintain compliance with Federal, State and Local regulations, as well as accepted National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) guidelines. An Open Flame/Hot Work permit is required prior to any heat sparking or open flame work being started. This includes, but is not limited to:
- blow torches
- welders
- lead kettles and pots
- electric heating irons and Termogrip soldering tongs
- 'Thermit' welding
- abrasive cutoff wheels on metals
- salamanders
- bitumen heating kettles
- heated bitumen tankers
- flameless heat guns
Contractors must request an Open Flame/Hot Work permit from the Kodak Fire Department via the Kodak representative at least 24 hours in advance of the work. Job conditions and special instructions will be established during the initial inspection and written on the permit. Fire watch assignments may be required on certain open flame jobs as determined by the Kodak representative and Kodak Fire Department.
The contractor must assure their employees working in the area of the open flame are aware of the permit and its requirements. The permit must be posted in a conspicuous location.
Railroad Blue Permit
Eastman Business Park has 19 miles of railroad track, 50 road crossings and 50 lifewalk crossings. The Railroad Crew handles approximately 11,000 rail cars each year. To ensure everyone's safety, vehicles and materials must maintain minimum clearances of not less than 10 feet 6 inches, from the centerline of the track. Prior to any work on, over, under or adjacent to railroad tracks, a Railroad Blue permit must be obtained.
The contractor will notify the Kodak representative and request a Railroad Blue permit from the railroad dispatcher at least 24 hours before work is to begin. Work cannot begin until the contractor has received an approved Railroad Blue permit from the railroad dispatcher. The approved hardcopy of the Railroad Blue permit shall be kept available at the jobsite during work. The contractor will furnish and position the proper warning signals (flags and/or lights) in accordance with the permit.
Two types of warning signals, standard in the railroad industry, are used at Eastman Business Park.
Blue signals, which prohibit movement of a train through the work area, are used when work is being performed directly on, over, or under the tracks. The working party shall place between the rails, mounted on cones or standards: blue flags for daylight operations and blue lights for nighttime operations.
Yellow signals, which permit a train to pass the signal with caution, are used when work operations are being performed adjacent to the tracks. The working party shall place mounted on cones or standards adjacent to one side of the tracks: yellow flags for daylight operations and yellow lights for nighttime operations.
Where special conditions dictate, the working party shall provide a flag person equipped with a blue flag or light not less than 200 feet from the work site so that any approaching train can be stopped safely.
Roadblock Permit
Any impedance of vehicle or pedestrian flow on Eastman Business Park streets and lifewalks require a Roadblock permit. Construction work or the placement of equipment and materials that block either the safe vision of drivers or the flow of materials in and out of loading docks also require a Roadblock permit.
Requesters of roadblocks must develop a plan appropriate to the job that:
- ensures effective and safe flow of traffic, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles
- minimizes extent and duration of work during peak traffic times
- maximizes time roadway or walkway is open to normal or partial traffic
- provides protection for personnel working on or near roadways
- addresses any Department of Transportation (DOT) concerns when detours put traffic flow on public roads
- includes appropriate detour signs, lighting, traffic control personnel, and night lighting, etc. (devices and barricades should comply with DOT standard designs, wherever possible)
- addresses elimination of parking space
- has been approved by representatives of affected building/areas
Roadblock permit applications must be submitted at least 1 WEEK prior to the job start date for roadblocks on critical roads and 48 hours prior to the job start date for other roadblocks.
Explosive Actuated Tool Permit
The contractor must obtain written permission through the Kodak representative before bringing onto a Kodak site or using any explosive actuated tool.