Type of Work Permit
Work permit description :
- A Permit to Work (PTW) system is a formalized process used in workplaces to manage activities that pose significant safety risks. It ensures that specific tasks are carried out under strict safety guidelines to prevent accidents and injuries.
- “PTW” commonly stands for “Permit to Work.” Permit to Work systems are widely used in industries such as construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, mining, and others where hazardous activities are carried out.
- A Permit to Work is a formal document or system that ensures that work is done safely and in accordance with established procedures and safety standards.
- Permit to work is an written document for permission to carry out the operation other than operation mentioned in the standard operating procedure or normal routine work.
- Work permit is essential a document that category spell out the task, equipment involved, its locations, personnel involved, time limits, precautionary measures to be taken and likely hazards to be encountered.
Applicable Statutes / Provisions of the Statutes :
- The Factories Act, 1948 & Model Rules made there under Though there is no express provision under the Factories Act concerning work permit, the precautions laid down under the provisions of Section 36 Precautions against dangerous fumes, gases etc.
- Section 36-A Precautions regarding the use of portable electric light.
- Section 37 Explosive or inflammable dust, gas etc. for work in any confined space, wherein gas, fume vapor or dust is likely to be present.
- National Safety Council , India involving risk to persons, use of portable electric light or appliance for such work in confined space and for work in any manufacturing process producing dust, gas, fume or vapor of such character likely to explode on ignition, respectively. These precautions can best be observed by following a work permit procedure and State Governments notified Rules.
- For example, Maharashtra has framed the specific Rule 73-C on Safety Measures in Factories where equipment or pipeline containing inflammable materials are operated, deal with the issue of work permit as safety measure.
- Rule 73 F for the Maharashtra Factories Rules on Fragile Roofs –Provision of crawling Boards etc. lays down the issue of work permit each time when a worker is required to work on the fragile roof. any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.
- The precautions laid down under Section 36, Section 36-A and Section 37 are thus specifically covered by this Rule requiring the adoption of work permit procedure.
- Section 41 of the Factories Act grants the state government specific powers to ensure the safety and health of workers in factories, particularly those involving hazardous processes.
- Section 36(2)(a) of the Factories Act specifically addresses the safety measures required for workers entering confined spaces within a factory.
- Section 37 of the Factories Act pertains to the safety requirements for conducting hot work within factory premises. Hot work includes activities that involve open flames, sparks, or heat that could ignite flammable materials. Common examples of hot work are welding, cutting, grinding, and brazing.
Working at height required under section 41 Rule 68E & Provision of fragile roof under rule 68E.
Type of Work permit :
1. General / Cold work permit
2. Line breaking permit
3. Height work permit
4. Confined space work permit
5. lifting & shifting work permit
6. Loose solvent handling permit
7. Electrical isolation work permit ( Lock Out / Tag Out )
8. Excavation work permit
9. Hot work permit
10. Radiography Work permit
11. Electrical Work Permit
Purpose :
The purpose of work permit system is to have better communication between executing department and production / concerned dept to avoid accident and injury to person engaged by contractor. It is assumed that contractor’s persons are not aware of chemical hazard while assigning job to the contractors.
- Perfectly job can be completed
- Less accident rate
- Removal of unsafe condition and Act
- Avoid material loss
The primary objectives of a Permit to Work system are to :
Implementing a robust Permit to Work system helps organizations maintain a safe work environment and prevent workplace accidents and incidents. It ensures that workers are adequately trained, informed, and equipped to perform their tasks safely, while also protecting the surrounding environment and assets.
Some jobs in factory are dangerous to life and well advanced precautions are necessary before their commencement, till the completion:
- To ensure safe working place
- To ensure that all necessary precautions are taken
- To prevent human error
- To prevent unsafe condition
- To prevent incident / accident
- To give information to plant personnel
- To make hazardous operations smooth and tension free
- To eliminate or reduce hazards associated with work
- Provide checklist for worker preparing the equipment
- Inform the worker carrying out repair, modification or inspection about the hazard that are still present and precautions to be taken
- Operating team knows what is going on and is fully informed.
When work Permit is required for the following jobs :
• Major & Minor Maintenance work
• Inspection
• Construction
• Alteration
• Process Equipment cleaning
• Entry into confined space
• Excavation
• Vehicle entry into hazardous areas
Why is a Work Permit Needed :
- Work permit should be used when there is danger from.
- fire sparks from open flames, welding, cutting, furnaces, etc.
- explosive, corrosive or toxic gases or atmospheres.
- pressure systems.
- steam or other hot materials (burns).
- electricity and other energy sources.
- accidental start-up of mechanical equipment.
- oxygen deficiency or oxygen enrichment.
- suffocation or drowning (for example, in bulk material bins or solvent storage tanks)
restricted access, exit and movement.
- toxic substances, radioactive material.
- lasers
- extremes temperature
Responsibility of permit :
Issuer Department ( Supervisor, Shift Incharge, Plant Head )
Executing Department ( Service dept )
Safety Department ( safety Officer, Safety Head )
A permit to work form typically contains these items :
- The work to be done, the equipment to be used and the personnel involved.
- Precautions to be taken when performing the job.
- Other service department to be informed of work being performed in their area.
- Authorisation for work.
- Duration that the permit is valid.
- Mentioned in work permit extend the permit for an additional period.
- Witness mechanism that all work has been complete and the worksite restored to a clean, safe condition.
- Actions to be taken in an emergency.
Advantages :
- Enhanced Safety: Ensures that all hazards are identified and mitigated before work begins, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
- Regulatory Compliance: Helps organizations comply with legal and regulatory requirements, avoiding fines and sanctions.
- Clear Communication: Provides a structured way for communicating job-specific risks and precautions to all involved parties.
- Accountability: Clearly assigns responsibility for safety checks and measures, ensuring that necessary precautions are not overlooked.
- Documentation: Maintains a record of safety procedures and approvals, useful for audits and investigations in case of an incident.
- Training and Awareness: Helps in educating employees about potential hazards and safe work practices.
Disadvantages :
- Time-Consuming: Preparing, reviewing, and approving permits can be a lengthy process, potentially delaying the start of work.
- Administrative Burden: Requires significant paperwork and documentation, which can be cumbersome and resource-intensive.
- Potential for Complacency: Over-reliance on the system may lead to complacency, where workers might follow the permit process superficially without fully engaging in safety practices.
- Human Error: Mistakes in the permit process, such as missing information or incorrect hazard identification, can compromise safety.
- Complexity: In large operations, managing multiple permits for various activities can become complex and challenging.
- Resistance to Change: Workers and supervisors may resist adopting the system, especially if they are accustomed to less formal procedures.
Read More : Ph Concept
Q & A :
1. What are purpose of Work permit / PTW ?
Ans. Purposes of a Work Permit or Permit to Work (PTW) system are to ensure the safety of personnel, protect the environment, prevent damage to property, and maintain compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
2. What are the key components of a PTW document?
Ans. The key components of a PTW document typically include a description of work, hazard identification, risk assessment, control measures, authorization signatures, and closure documentation.
3. Who is responsible for authorizing and issuing PTWs?
Ans. Issuer Department ( Supervisor, Shift Incharge, Plant Head )
Executing Department ( Service dept )
Safety Department ( safety Officer, Safety Head )
4. How are PTWs communicated to workers and supervisors?
Ans. PTWs are communicated to workers and supervisors through formal briefings, toolbox talks, safety meetings, posted notices, and other forms of communication to ensure understanding and compliance.
5.When is a work permit required?
Ans. Major & Minor Maintenance work, Inspection, Construction, Alteration, Process Equipment cleaning, Entry into confined space, Excavation, Vehicle entry into hazardous areas, Line opening & fitting,.
6. What is a PTW fill form ?
Ans. Permit To Work
