Successful software project implementations should be a matter of common sense, but sadly this is not always the case. The good news is that some relatively simple and basic principles can be used to dramatically increase the chances of success.
Shift handover is a a critical process that relies on effective communication in order to reduce the risk of safety incidents. The permit to work system must be coordinated with the shift handover procedures to ensure that jobs continue to take place under safe conditions, even when teams change.
Work at height is a particularly hazardous activity which should be reduced by specific control measures that first tries to avoid the work altogether, and then if this is not possible, limits the risk through precautions. The permit to work is an important administrative tool to ensure safe work takes place at height.
The permit to work helps to reduce the risk of safety incidents by ensuring the people involved are aware of the specific hazards, take the necessary precautions and are competent for the work. It also ensures that communication takes place between production and maintenance teams throughout the job from planning, preparation, execution to hand over and restoring the plant to normal operations.
Confined space entry is a particularly dangerous activity and special care needs to be taken when work is done. The confined space permit assists the employer to make sure that adequate precautions are in place for each job or task involving confined spaces.
A permit to work is a formal document that is part of a structured process designed to improve the safety of people working on hazardous jobs.
Biometric identification of permit signatories introduces even higher levels of integrity to the process; the rugged industrial fingerprint scanners used by IntelliPERMIT on many sites are highly reliable and have been proven over many years in the most challenging environments.
IntelliPERMIT is not a computer based replica of a paper-based permit system. Intelligent safety rules, enforced system controls, auditability, visibility etc. are all enhanced over paper-based systems and represent a step change in safety integrity and reliability.
A permit to work system touches many functions; production, safety, maintenance, people and information technology. Getting all of these stakeholders aligned to a common goal is essential for a successful implementation of IntelliPERMIT.
The primary role of a permit to work system is to improve the safety of maintenance activities in hazardous production environments. This is particularly important during shutdowns when there are many contractors on site unfamiliar with the process, and who might be under tight deadlines to bring the plant back online.
