OHS Permit to work

A permit-to-work system is an integral part of a safe system of work and is used to ensure that work is done safely and efficiently. These are typically used in hazardous industries and involve procedures to request, review, authorise, document and most importantly, de-conflict tasks to be carried out by front line workers. Permit to work is an essential part of control of work, and the integrated management of maintenance processes. Control of work is made up of permit to work, hazard identification and risk assessment, with the necessary mitigation and control measures, including isolation management.
A permit-to-work system is a formal recorded process used to control work which is identified as potentially hazardous. It is also a means of communication between site/installation management, plant supervisors and operators and those who carry out the hazardous work.