More Effective Permit-to-Work Systems

• Published in: Process safety and environmental protection Vol. 77; no. 2; pp. 69 - 76
• Main Authors: Iliffe, R.E., Chung, P.W.H., Kletz, T.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rugby Elsevier B.V 01.03.1999; Institution of Chemical Engineers
• Subjects: accident database; Accident prevention; Applied sciences; Chemical engineering; Computer applications; computer integration; Database systems; Exact sciences and technology; Health hazards; Health risks; Maintenance; Occupational risks; permit-to-work; permit-to-work systems; Risk management; computer integration; accident database; permit-to-work; Chemical industry; Accident; Database; Computerized maintenance management system; Planned maintenance; Maintenance; Computer system; Safety; Preventive maintenance; Computerization
• ISSN: 0957-5820; 1744-3598
• DOI: 10.1205/095758299529839

Many incidents in the chemical-industrial workplace are associated with maintenance works, which are typically controlled by permits-to-work (PTWs). Computerized PTWs have advantages of flexibility and informational clarity, and allow closer coordination of activities and integration with computer applications. A system has been developed linking computerized PTWs with an incident database: the system examines the nature of the job, equipment and chemicals specified on the PTW and draws users’ attention to relevant incident reports without requiring explicit searches or further data; unknown or forgotten hazards are thus highlighted when preventative action may still be taken.