A guide to choosing the right Permit to Work (PTW/ePTW) system

Areas of concern at any labor-intensive worksite today include ensuring safety and compliance in performing intensive tasks. Over the past few years, the number of workplace safety incidents has forced governments around the world to take drastic measures to ensure the health and safety of workers.

According to Ministry of Manpower (MOM)the year 2022 experienced higher numbers. Deaths in the workplace and increase in occupational diseases. Singapore reported a death rate of 1.3 per 100,000 workers that year. As a result of problems. Falling from a height or being subject to vehicular incidents on the premises. Such increased concerns lead to the need for strict monitoring systems, especially in industries such as manufacturing and construction where workers are exposed to such conditions on a regular basis.

Now that we have a digital solution to every problem, the use of the Permit to Work (PTW) system can be made more efficient and accurate using its digitized version. But before moving on to digitized solutions, let's dive into understanding this. Permit to Work (PTW) system And its importance.

The Permit to Work (PTW) system is a cornerstone in ensuring a safe and secure work environment in various industries. It is a process that is followed in a workplace to ensure that various activities proceed in an orderly manner. It is not just a formality, but an important component of a comprehensive safety and health management system. By formalizing the permit process to proceed with site work, PTW systems empower companies to effectively control and manage various work activities, especially activities of an unusual nature. Gives.

At its core, the PTW system acts as a safeguard, carefully identifying, assessing, and mitigating specific hazards before each task is performed. This proactive approach helps prevent accidents, injuries, and potential damage to property or the environment. Additionally, by coordinating work activities and minimizing interference between contractors or work teams, PTW systems ensure seamless operations and improved productivity.

This process begins with obtaining written authorization from a designated authority, whether a supervisor or a safety officer, before starting a high-risk activity. This permit is more than just a piece of paper. It is a concrete authorization, which carefully describes the necessary precautions, procedures, and safety measures for the task at hand.

To summarize, the PTW system is not just about compliance. It is about fostering a culture of safety, responsibility, and accountability within the workplace. It is a testament to an organization's unwavering commitment to prioritizing the well-being of its workforce and maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational excellence.

As mentioned above, the entire process begins with obtaining a permit from the authority assigned to take care of high-risk activities. Here is a summary of the 6 steps to follow in the PTW process.

1. Identification of hazardous work: The first step involves identifying tasks or activities that pose potential hazards to workers, equipment or the environment.
   
   

2. Risk assessment: Once a hazardous work has been identified, a thorough hazard assessment is performed to assess potential hazards and determine appropriate control measures.
   
   

3. Issuance of permit: A permit issued by an authorized individual or team, allowing an identified high-risk task to be carried out. This permit outlines specific requirements, safety precautions and conditions that must be followed during work.
   
   

4. Communication and training: Workers involved in permitted work receive comprehensive training and instruction on safety procedures, emergency protocols, and risk reduction measures.
   
   

5. Supervision and monitoring: During permitted work, designated supervisors or safety personnel closely monitor the activity to ensure compliance with safety regulations and permit conditions.
   
   

6. Completion and Closure: After the work is completed, the permit is closed through a formal process. This may include inspections, testing of equipment, and documentation of any incidents or deviations from permit conditions.

The question here is –

Using a manual Permit to Work (PTW) system can often be time and resource consuming. Additionally, human error in issuing permits can lead to multiple accidents, endangering the lives of workers on the premises. In such a case the use of e-PTW system can be very cost effective and efficient.

Adopting digital permit management through e-PTW systems revolutionizes the process of digitizing and automating traditional permit workflows. Through the use of this technology, organizations can seamlessly manage permit applications, approvals, and issuances digitally.

For example, using Permit to Work (PTW) system Under construction Can facilitate paperless permit applications, allowing contractors to submit applications electronically. Supervisors can then review and approve authorizations remotely, increasing efficiency and reducing administrative burden.

e-PTW systems offer real-time permitting capabilities, ensuring prompt approval of permits to commence work activities. With this system, supervisors can quickly review permit applications, verify safety protocols, and authorize tasks remotely. This real-time authorization streamlines operational processes, reduces delays, and enables immediate start of work.

Leveraging e-PTW systems enables immediate verification of labor competency, ensuring that only qualified personnel perform high-risk tasks. In construction and manufacturing settings, e-PTW platforms can automatically validate workers' certifications and training credentials before they are authorized for specific job roles. This instant competency verification enhances workforce safety and compliance with regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.

e-PTW technology automates risk assessment and conflict resolution processes, identifying and addressing potential risks and conflicts. Through e-PTW, organizations can implement predefined risk assessment criteria and control measures to reduce risks associated with various work activities. Additionally, e-PTW platforms can simultaneously detect conflicts between work tasks and provide recommendations for resolution, ensuring smooth and secure operations.

e-PTW solutions offer robust audit trail capabilities, providing organizations with comprehensive documentation and visibility into permit-related activities. Through such AI-powered approaches, organizations can maintain detailed records of permit applications, approvals and changes, facilitating transparency and accountability.

This audit trail facility not only ensures compliance with regulatory standards, but also enables organizations to conduct thorough post-work analysis and continuously improve safety protocols.

viAct A company that has strong values ​​around safety and compliance to be sustainable in its vision for a better future. The e-PTW system facilitated by viAct is a one-stop turnkey solution that caters to the diverse needs of companies. The use of PTW for the construction and manufacturing sector can reduce delays caused by permits.

The Permit to Work (PTW) system helps manage permit activities on the go through AI-powered analytics. intuitive dashboard, viHUB Provides an integrated platform to communicate and authorize documents while viewing them using just your mobile phone or tablet. The format used for the permit is as per the requirement of the sector.

Using viAct's e-PTW technology allows for seamless integration into a company's existing infrastructure making the transition process very easy and cost-effective. It also helps in complying with security measures such as issuing strict protocol restrictions during entry. Danger zones in the site.

Using viAct's Permit to Work (PTW) can greatly contribute to speeding up permitting and allowing a smoother workflow across sites. viAct's AI-powered system offers companies to issue permits related to various activities.

• Permits work involving open flames, sparks, or heat-generating devices and fire.

• Ensures proper fire prevention measures such as wearing fire retardant clothing and carrying fire extinguishers in these areas.

• Example: welding, cutting, or soldering operations.

• Allows non-heat generating work activities in potentially hazardous environments.

• Ensures workers are aware of safety precautions even when there is no heat source.

• Example: Maintenance work in refrigerated areas.

• Allows entry into restricted areas with limited access and a viable number of members for entry.

• A thorough risk assessment and safety precautions are required such as bottom temperature, health status of workers, oxygen level etc.

• Example: storage tank, vault, or broiler.

• Permits electrical installations or repair work.

• Ensures compliance with electrical safety standards such as instructions for testing live wires, proper wear PPE etc

• Example: Installing or repairing electrical circuits, panels, or appliances.

• Permits excavation or trenching activities.

• Underground hazards need to be identified and mitigated.

• Example: Digging trenches for pipeline installation.

• Permits routine or low-risk work activities.

• This may include tasks not covered by specific permits.

• Example: painting, cleaning, or general maintenance.

• Allows lifting operations involving heavy equipment or loads.

• Safe handling practices need to be followed eg Forklift techniques.

• Example: Crane operation, hoisting equipment.

• Allows the closure of roads or traffic routes for construction or maintenance work.

• Ensures coordination with concerned authorities and stakeholders.

• Example: repairing or repairing roads, installing utilities.

viAct's e-Permit to Work (PTW) system represents a significant leap forward in safety management for construction and industrial environments. By digitizing and streamlining the permit-to-work process, viAct empowers organizations to increase safety, efficiency and compliance. With real-time authorization, instant labor eligibility verification, automated risk and dispute management and audit trail facility, viAct's e-PTW system provides comprehensive support for managing work activities in diverse operational contexts.

From hot work permit Limited space entries and road closures, viAct's solution provides the flexibility and robustness needed to handle a wide range of work scenarios while ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and industry best practices. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, viAct enables organizations to reduce risks, prevent accidents and improve work processes, ultimately promoting a safer and more productive work environment.

With viAct's e-PTW system, companies can begin their journey towards digital transformation, embrace innovation to drive operational excellence and achieve their security goals with confidence.

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