Saudi Aramco 7180 (5/89)
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco) G. I. NUMBER Approved
GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL 6.008
ISSUE DATE REPLACES
ISSUING ORG. LOSS PREVENTION DEPARTMENT
04/21/2013 08/04/2008
APPROVAL PAGE NO.
SUBJECT RESTRICTION OF PORTABLE ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC
DEVICES GGA 1 OF 4
CONTENTS
1. PURPOSE
2. DEFINITIONS
3. REFERENCES
4. GENERAL POLICY
5. PEDs IN RESTRICTED AREAS
6. PEDs IN SAUDI ARAMCO AIRCRAFT AND AIRPORT FACILITIES
7. PEDs IN VEHICLES DRIVEN WITHIN SAUDI ARAMCO COMMUNITIES OR FACILITIES
8. PEDs IN SAUDI ARAMCO GAS STATIONS
9. PEDs IN SAUDI ARAMCO MEDICAL FACILITIES
SUPPLEMENT 1: Example Signs for Restriction of Portable Electrical/Electronic Devices
1. PURPOSE
This General Instruction establishes company policy and minimum requirements for the use and
restriction throughout Saudi Aramco of portable electrical/electronic devices, which may be a potential
source of interference or ignition.
2. DEFINITIONS
* Portable electrical/electronic device (PED): Any non-stationary electrical or electronic apparatus such
as PDAs, cellular/mobile phones, pagers, email devices, audio/video recording and playback devices,
hand portable radio devices that operate via the Push-To-Talk mechanism, navigation
receivers/transmitters, portable wireless communication equipment and hand-held/laptop computers. PED
in this GI does not refer to devices that are incapable of generating sufficient energy to ignite flammable
mixtures under normal conditions such as wrist watches, vehicle remote control devices, or hearing aids.
Restricted areas: Refer to GI 2.100, Work Permit System, for definition.
Classified location: Refer to SAES-B-068, Electrical Area Classification, for definition.
Personal digital assistant (PDA): A generic term for a class of small, easily carried electronic devices
used to store and retrieve information.
Listed: Equipment, materials, or services included in a list published by a qualified testing agency whose
listing states that either the equipment, material, or service meets the appropriate designated standards or
has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose. For this GI, the specified purpose is the
electrical classifications described in SAES-B-068.
Shall: Indicates a mandatory requirement.
CHANGE ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION
Saudi Aramco 7180 (5/89)
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco) G. I. NUMBER Approved
GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL 6.008
ISSUE DATE REPLACES
ISSUING ORG. LOSS PREVENTION DEPARTMENT
04/21/2013 08/04/2008
APPROVAL PAGE NO.
SUBJECT RESTRICTION OF PORTABLE ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC
DEVICES GGA 2 OF 4
3. REFERENCES
- GI 2.100: Work Permit System
- GI 6.030: Traffic and Vehicle Safety
- SAES-B-067: Safety Identification and Safety Colors
- SAES-B-068: Electrical Area Classification
- SAES-T-492: VHF/UHF Land-Mobile and Fixed Radio Communication
- SAES- J-903: Intrinsically Safe Systems
- SAMSO Medical Services Policy, MSP-200-10: Medical Equipment Management Program
- SAMSO Medical Services Policy, MSP-200-02: Security
- American National Standards Institute, ANSI Z535.4: Product Safety Signs and Labels
- National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 30A: Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair
Garages
4. GENERAL POLICY
4.1 The use of PEDs in restricted areas as defined in GI 2.100, Work Permit System, shall be controlled
by operating organizations through work permit procedures.
4.2 The use of PEDs in non-restricted areas, such as company vehicles and aircraft, shall follow the
requirements specified in this GI.
4.3 The control of PEDs is under the jurisdiction of proponent organizations. Management shall be
responsible for developing and implementing procedures controlling use of these devices and for
giving employees, contractors, and visitors the appropriate information needed to understand their
responsibilities as they relate to this policy.
4.4 Where organizations have their own specific requirements for their facilities or operations, they shall
develop their own practices or procedures to supplement the requirements in this GI.
4.5 Proponents shall designate areas requiring listed PEDs and appropriately label them at all entrances.
Proper signs shall be posted in Arabic and English and followed according to SAES-B-067 and to
ANSI Z535.4. Refer to SUPPLEMENT 1: Example Signs for Restriction of Portable
Electrical/Electronic Devices.
4.6 All employees, contractors, and visitors shall switch off their PED as indicated by the posted signs
throughout areas where it may be a source of ignition or may interfere with the operation of
equipment.
CHANGE ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION
Saudi Aramco 7180 (5/89)
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco) G. I. NUMBER Approved
GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL 6.008
ISSUE DATE REPLACES
ISSUING ORG. LOSS PREVENTION DEPARTMENT
04/21/2013 08/04/2008
APPROVAL PAGE NO.
SUBJECT RESTRICTION OF PORTABLE ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC
DEVICES GGA 3 OF 4
5. PEDs IN RESTRICTED AREAS
5.1 In Saudi Aramco restricted areas all PEDs that are not listed for the applicable classifications shall
be governed like any potential source of ignition.
5.2 A hot work permit shall be issued if a PED not listed for the applicable hazard classification is
carried into a classified location.
5.3 Devices that are listed as safe for use in classified locations may be used without a work permit
provided they are listed for the level and type of hazard, as defined in Saudi Aramco Engineering
Standard SAES-B-068.
5.4 Wireless radios that are essential for the daily operation of Saudi Aramco facilities and mobile
phones shall not be used within two meters of process automation cabinets.
6. PEDs IN SAUDI ARAMCO AIRCRAFT AND AIRPORT FACILITIES
*6.1 The use of PEDs inside airport hangars (i.e., where aircrafts are housed and maintained) and leading
to the aircraft (i.e., apron) is prohibited. Mobile phone signals may cause false alarms and activate
the fire alarm system inside the hangars.
*6.2 The use of PEDs is prohibited on aircraft during flight, take-off, and landing. Saudi Aramco
Aviation Department regulations prohibit in-flight use of radio-operated PEDs because of potential
interference to the aircraft’s navigation and communication systems. Other non-radio-operated PEDs
may be used only when the ‘fasten seatbelt’ sign is switched off. If uncertain of a specific device,
consult a flight crewmember.
7. PEDs IN VEHICLES DRIVEN WITHIN SAUDI ARAMCO COMMUNITIES OR FACILITIES
*7.1 Employees and contractors are prohibited from using mobile phones, including hands-free mobile
use, for all Saudi Aramco vehicles as well as private and contractor vehicles while driving in Saudi
Aramco communities or facilities. This prohibition is extended to other PEDs as they are also
considered as sources of distraction. See GI 6.030, Traffic and Vehicle Safety, for specific
requirements.
8. PEDs IN SAUDI ARAMCO GAS STATIONS
8.1 PEDs shall not be used by anyone near the restricted area of the dispensers that have an electrically
classified hazardous environment per NFPA 30A, i.e., within 6 meters of dispensers.
CHANGE ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION
Saudi Aramco 7180 (5/89)
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco) G. I. NUMBER Approved
GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL 6.008
ISSUE DATE REPLACES
ISSUING ORG. LOSS PREVENTION DEPARTMENT
04/21/2013 08/04/2008
APPROVAL PAGE NO.
SUBJECT RESTRICTION OF PORTABLE ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC
DEVICES GGA 4 OF 4
8.2 Drivers and passengers of vehicles entering gasoline service stations shall keep their mobile phones
inside the vehicle and preferably switched off. The phones shall not be used in the vehicle while
refueling.
9. PEDs IN SAUDI ARAMCO MEDICAL FACILITIES
9.1 Patients, visitors, and all medical staff employees must adhere to Saudi Aramco Medical Services
Organization (SAMSO) policies and regulations in regard to the use of PEDs. Refer to SAMSO
Medical Services Policies MSP-200-10, Medical Equipment Management Program, and MSP-200-2,
Security, for specific requirements.
APPROVED: ________________________________ DATE: ______________
MANAGER
Loss Prevention Department
CONCURED: ________________________________ DATE: ______________
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Information Technology
CHANGE ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION
Saudi Aramco 7180 (5/89)
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco) G. I. NUMBER
GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL Supplement 6.008-1
ISSUE DATE REPLACES
ISSUING ORG. LOSS PREVENTION DEPARTMENT
04/21/2013 08/04/2008
APPROVAL PAGE NO.
SUBJECT SUPPLEMENT 1: EXAMPLE SIGNS FOR RESTRICTION OF
PORTABLE ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC DEVICES GGA 1 OF 1
GAS STATIONS CONTROL ROOM, PIB, ETC.
RESTRICTED AREAS ENTRANCE RESTRICTED AREAS
*ARABIC TRANSLATION OF THE ABOVE SIGNS MUST ALSO BE PROVIDED.
CHANGE ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION
