Gasunie is one of the biggest gas infrastructure companies in Europe. Within the company, we give safety the highest priority; it forms the basis of our license to operate. We abide by the strictest safety, health and environmental standards, both for our own employees and for our external contractors. Gasunie’s safety policy is thus characterised by a proactive approach which is designed to prevent accidents, incidents and hazardous situations. Gasunie uses work permits to perform work. These permits contain the agreements that have been concluded about how the work is to be carried out. It is in everyone’s interests that all those involved understand and comply with these agreements. Remain alert at all times when you are working. If in any doubt, always ask or suspend activities where necessary.

WORK PERMITS What is the purpose of work permits? The purpose of the work permit is to ensure safe working and hence prevent incidents, accidents and hazardous situations by: promoting communication between parties identifying hazards and risks identifying precautionary measures recording the agreements made How long does a written work permit last? A work permit is valid for one day and can be extended up to 7 times.

Who is involved in a written work permit? Applicant: The person who applies to the operational department in respect of the work, for or on behalf of the contractor. This is often the contractor’s work preparation officer or the construction supervisor acting for the contractor(s). Operational manager: The direct (delegated) manager of the work permit issuer. Co-signatory: The person who is partly responsible for deciding that the work can be safely carried out. The co-signatory can if necessary also be the work supervisor. Work permit drafter: The person who carries out the preparatory operational measures on behalf of the license issuer. Work permit issuer: The person in the operational department who is authorised to issue work permits. The issuer can where necessary also be the work supervisor.

Work permit holder: The person who is responsible for supervising the implementation of the work in accordance with the agreements laid down in the work permit. Work supervisor: The person who ensures that the agreements concluded between the contractor and the principal are carried out. The work supervisor can extend a work permit and if necessary issue it on site.

Minimum requirements Applicant / Issuer / Co-signatory / Work supervisor / Operational manager VCA - VOL certificate valid for 10 years Training (Gasunie) Deltalinqs valid for 2 years work permit Holder VCA – basic valid for 10 years preferably Training (Gasunie) valid for 2 years Deltalinqs work permit Must have command of Dutch and the language of the contract workforce At least two persons (roles) must be attached to the work permit. A work permit issuer can also be a work supervisor; a work permit holder can also be the applicant.

When is a written work permit required? The Gasunie work permit system applies to work at Gasunie locations undertaken by persons who are not part of the company’s own management organisation, for example during: non-operational work such as - maintenance to installations - repairs to installations joint work by different disciplines, such as - where work by one team could affect that of another - (too) many activities are taking place at the same time in the same location high risk activities, such as - work in confined spaces - fire, explosion, electrocution, asphyxiation, trapping and/or danger of falling - risk of contact with hazardous substances - lifting/hoisting activities near installation components which are in operation or under pressure

Elements of the written work permit Column 1 Work application Column 2 Measures taken by department issuing the work permit Column 3 Measures to be taken by the work permit holder Column 4 Confirmation

Task risk analysis If an activity and its associated risks are not transparent or manageable enough (no procedures or specific work instructions available) or if a risk inventory checklist (RBH) identifies them as high risk activities, a task risk analysis must be carried out in addition to the work permit. The work permit is then classified as a “high risk work permit”. Two types of risk can be identified: risks arising from the work which could affect the process. The TRA is then compiled by the applicant risks arising from the process which could affect the work. The TRA is then compiled/supplemented by the work permit issuer Applicant– tasks and responsibilities Gives an accurate and clear description of the work involved Indicates appropriate measures for the safe execution of the work, if necessary in consultation with the work permit holder Determines the category of risk involved and ensures a task risk analysis, together with the work permit issuer

Operational manager – tasks and responsibilities Assesses the work permit (with others), based on the proposed management measures if work is proposed which might involve a high risk to people, installations and/or the environment. Co-signatory – tasks and responsibilities Confirms (with others) the work permit and approves the securing of equipment and/or process systems which fall under his responsibility (high voltage installation, shared utilities, etc.) License drafter – tasks and responsibilities Implements the appropriate operational measures at the request of the work permit issuer. Implements the necessary gas and oxygen measurements just before the start of the work and signs them off on the work permit.

Work permit issuer – tasks and responsibilities Assesses the activities requested, proposed measures that the holder must take and any associated task risk analysis If necessary, compiles a supplementary task risk analysis, together with the applicant and/or work permit holder Confirms any extra requirements Determines the operational measures that must be taken by the department to create a safe workplace Decides whether gas measurements are needed Discusses the content of the work permit Issues product information (MSDS pages), where necessary

Work permit holder – tasks and responsibilities Familiarises self with the work permit, any task risk analyses and agrees to the precautionary measures required Discusses the permits with the contract team Puts in place the appropriate precautionary measures and checks them Implements the work and supervises its correct implementation in accordance with the work permit In the event of departures from the work (work plan, alarm, doubts, incidents, accidents or hazardous situation), stops the work and contacts the work supervisor Signs off the work with the issuer of the work permit Work supervisor – tasks and responsibilities Acts as the point of contact for the issuer in the event of work being carried out by a contractor Ensures good communication between the contractor and the work permit issuer Ensures that the agreements concluded between the contractor and the work permit issuer are complied with

It is vital that the holder of the work permit and the contractors implementing the work understand how to execute the work safely. You should therefore adopt a critical attitude towards the issuer and the co-signatory of the work permit. This is in the interests of everyone’s safety. Work safely or not at all! Completing the work permit Write clearly and make sure everyone can read it Use as few abbreviations as possible (Unauthorised) amendments and changes made subsequently will invalidate the work permit The original is intended for the holder The work permit must be kept at the workplace unless otherwise agreed The copy is intended for the issuer There is important information on the reverse of the work permit If you have any questions or need more information, please contact the issuer of the work permit.