Permit To Work

Question 0

activities that need a permit to work

Answer 0

• confined space
• certain electrical systems
• maintenance of specific plant - hazardous materials
• flammable atmosphere - hot work

Question 1

permit to work is…..

Answer 1

• a way of formalising a ssow
• considered for any task of temporary nature, where there is a high level of risk concerned with complex precautions (inc coorindation of activities & special communications)
• fulfils the need for a SSOW to be in place for high risk situations (eg - guards being removed also when new or unusual hazards are introduced)
• authority to undertake specific procedures
• it is designed to protect personnel working in hazardous environments

Question 2

factors to be considered when setting up a permit to work scheme

Answer 2

• what the permit covers (clear parameters) - tasks to be performed, legal requirements, personal responsibilities - identify key personnel and specific requirements
• selection, training & competence of personal (assessment, records & certification, who is responsible for risk assessing and monitoring)
• what the permit prescribes - validity of conditions , emergency procedures, the task, hand back conditions once completed
• how the work should be co ordinated and maintained

Question 3

possible weaknesses in a permit to work system

• culture
• misunderstanding
• operational weakness

Answer 3

culture = overuse of PTW / weakness in design / completion of permit not specific to the task / not cross referenced with existing systems / ambiguous language

misunderstanding = inadequate risk assessment / precautions are not clearly stated / emergency situations not covered

operational weakness = lack of authorised competent persons to control the system / unclear roles & responsibilities / inadequate isolation & lock of procedure / poor procedures for hand back / poor communication / poor training