ABSTRACT
The “Permit To Work (PTW)”, “permit” or “work permit” system is one of the most crucial components of a safety management system. There are many processes and procedures within the PTW system that are used to request, review, authorise, document, and clarify tasks for frontline workers in a number of different ways. A work permit is a written document that authorizes specific work to take place at a specific location, for a specific period of time, on a particular date. It is impossible for a single type of permit to be suitable for all types of activities and all types of locations due to the large variety of activities and locations involved. There are a variety of PTW that are required for hot and cold works as well as confined spaces, pressure equipment, working at height, excavation as well as heavy lifting, and hazardous substances including explosives and radioactive substances. Furthermore, this chapter also contains a general and more detailed description of how to prepare PTWs, as well as a check list of the information that must be included in the PTWs. In the final section of this chapter, a number of case studies are presented concerning the lack of implementation or proper implementation of the PTW system within the oil and gas industry.
