A Permit to Work (PTW) system is a formal written procedure used to control certain types of work that have risks. It is a document which specifies how the work should be done and the steps that need to be followed to ensure the work is done correctly. When properly used, permits help in verifying that all foreseeable risks have been considered and that sufficient control measures to complete the job safely have been implemented before the job can proceed.
However, despite these good systems, many serious events still unfortunately occur in the oil and gas industry. The 1988 explosion and fire which occurred on the Piper Alpha offshore oil and gas platform killing 167 workers was attributed mainly to human error, including deficiencies in the PTW system, deficient analysis of hazards, and inadequate training in the use of safety procedures.
There a several areas where a Permit may be susceptible to human error, including:
- A breakdown in the PTW system at shift change over
- Lack of an issued permit for the actual job
- Inadequate isolation of equipment
- Improper gas testing
- Inadequate site preparation measures
To better control the risks arising from these human factors, it is important to:
- Be clear on who is in charge
- Have effective handover processes
- Undertake appropriate permit training
- Review the permit for accuracy
- Communicate permit information to all personnel involved
- Consider simultaneous operations
- Regularly audit the permit process
More Information
For more information about human factors, refer to the WPTW Handbook, go to our FAQ page, contact our support centre on 1800 078 939 or email us [email protected].