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Read about the Top U.S. Megaprojects under construction for 2023!

Introduction

The primary purpose of work control permits is to ensure that hazardous work is carried out safely, with appropriate controls in place to prevent accidents and injuries to people & assets, ideally for every physical activity performed in a place of work, that could cause injury or damage.

The permit to work (PTW) system, typically involves a detailed process for hazard identification, risk assessment, with all relevant information recorded, historically on paper proforma, referenced during the activity, and retained post as a record of what took place.  The permit asks questions of those undertaking the work, asking those taking part in the work to describe the activity they are undertaking, how they will perform it, and to consider ways in which they can undertake the activity more safely.  Often permits forms are specific to task type and contain clear procedures for workers to follow when carrying out a particular task. 

By using a permit to work system, companies can reduce the risk of accidents, protect workers, the environment, and demonstrate compliance with their relevant country’s regulatory requirements.

OriginsThe use of work control permits dates from the early 20th century when they were first introduced by the US Navy to ensure safety during ship repairs. The Navy recognized that certain types of work, such as hot work and welding, posed a significant safety risk and needed to be carefully controlled. As a result, the Navy developed a permit system that required workers to obtain permission before carrying out these types of work.

Over time, other industries also began to adopt permit to work systems, particularly those that involved hazardous work such as chemical and nuclear plants. 

In the 1970s, the UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) introduced a permit to work system as part of its guidance on the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) regulations. This system required companies to obtain permits before carrying out certain types of work, and included detailed procedures for hazard identification, risk assessment, and permit issuance.

Industrial Accidents leading to further evolution of Permits

The development and implementation of PTW systems were further influenced by various incidents and accidents that highlighted the importance of managing risks associated with hazardous work, such as oil and gas, construction, mining, and manufacturing, where there is a high potential for accidents and hazards.

Major industrial accidents, such as the Flixborough disaster in the UK in 1974, and the Piper Alpha oil rig explosion in 1988, led to increased awareness of the need for stringent safety measures and improved control systems.

Initially, PTW systems were primarily paper-based, involving the issuance of physical paper permits to workers, authorising them to carry out specific tasks under controlled conditions. These permits are typically signed by authorised personnel, including supervisors, safety managers, and any relevant stakeholders.

The first digital permit to work (PTW) systems started emerging in the late 1990s and early 2000s with the advancement of computer technology and the widespread adoption of digital platforms in industries. While it's challenging to pinpoint the exact date of the first digital PTW system, here are a few notable digital PTW milestones:

1990s: In the late 1990s, computer-based permit to work systems began to be developed and implemented by some forward-thinkin organisations.  These systems typically utilised desktop or client-server applications that digitised the permit issuance and management process.

Early 2000s: As technology continued to advance, web based PTW systems started to appear. These systems allowed for online access to permit forms, centralised databases, and improved collaboration among different stakeholders involved in the PTW process, reducing the delay between request, checking, and issuing of permits, reducing non-productive time, e.g., the time maintenance workers are stood idle.

2010 onwards: By 2010, mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones became more prevalent, and PTW systems started leveraging mobile technology. Mobile applications and platforms were developed to enable on-site permit management, electronic signatures, and real-time data synchronization.

Present: With the advent of Internet of Things (IoT), and other digital advancements, PTW systems have become more sophisticated and integrated with other software systems in an organisation, such as an organisations ERP software, enabling permits and work orders to be linked. 

In addition, digital PTW solutions offer features like automated workflows, data analytics, integration with other safety systems, and enhanced communication and reporting capabilities.

Global industrialization leads to acceleration of technology for Safety

The shift from paper based PTW systems to digital solutions has been a gradual process, however as developing nations catch up, we now have a greater global focus on workplace safety, and efforts are being made to enhance PTW systems worldwide. This has further accelerated technological advancements and the recognition of the benefits of digitization in improving safety, communication, and record-keeping in hazardous work environments. 

Conclusion

This increased focus on workplace safety, along with technological advancements, has accelerated the adoption of digital PTW systems. Efforts are being made worldwide to enhance PTW systems, ensuring that they are robust, standardised, and effectively implemented across industries and regions. Governments, regulatory bodies, and organisations are increasingly investing in safety management systems, training programs, and digital infrastructure to support the adoption of digital PTW solutions. 

This collective focus on workplace safety and the adoption of digital PTW systems are contributing to a safer work environment and reducing the potential risks associated with hazardous work activities. As organisations continue to prioritise safety and governments strengthen regulatory frameworks, the future of PTW systems is expected to involve further advancements and integration with other software systems to enhance overall safety management.

Ready to make the move from paper based permits to a digital PTW system? 

Get in touch with us at sales@iamtech.com or call us on +44 1642 955350 to schedule your free demonstration.

The article covers the basic principles of Earned Value Management (EVM). The knowledge to perform Earned Value Analysis and EVM formulas is considered to be a valuable set of skills for project schedulers, controls, or project managers.

Learn More...

Oracle Primavera P6 Version 22 Finish Date Filter Definition Update

Oracle Primavera releases new updates most months, and this paper outlines the changes made to the way the Finish Date Filter operates.

Readers may find the following Oracle documents which include the upgrade information:

• P6 Professional 21.12 - 22.12 Release Feature Overview document downloaded from here...
• P6 Version 22 documentation downloaded from here...

The Admin, Admin Preferences, General tab has a new Data Filters option:

When a Finish Date filter has been created the user may select Current Date, Current Week etc. 

Version 20.4 changed the way the filter operated to select the end of the time period, whereas earlier versions used the start of the time period. The Administrator may make the software compatible with earlier versions with this option. 

NOTE: It would appear more logical to me to have the filter operate on the end of the selected time period and I would not switch it on unless there was a demand to be compatible with earlier versions. 

Accelerate your understanding of scheduling software to advance your scheduling career and be able to prepare better schedules with Eastwood Harris books, training courses and online videos on the following software packages:

• Microsoft Project,
• Oracle Primavera P6 and 
• Elecosoft (Asta) Powerproject 

Online video training is available through Udemy through following these links:

• Microsoft Project,
• Oracle Primavera P6 and 
• Elecosoft (Asta) Powerproject 

Please follow these links:

• Eastwood Harris books and training materials are available here Eastwood Harris.
• Eastwood Harris inhouse, one-to-one and public training courses are offered through Primaskills Pty Ltd, more details here>>>>.
• Resources for Oracle Primavera P6 users such as third party software that works with P6 and technical papers on Primavera P6 at Primavera.

Paul E Harris

Director Eastwood Harris Pty Ltd

The Earned Value Management (EVM) indices of the Schedule Performance Index (SPI) and Cost Performance Index (CPI) encompass mathematical projections of a project’s overall health from a schedule and a cost viewpoint. To understand the formulas and the impacts of both the project’s SPI and CPI, we must first understand a few of the other earned value indices.

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Cleopatra Enterprise team goes on a roadshow across Texas, dedicated to raising awareness about the indispensable role of integrated tooling in project controls and turnaround management.

If you are in Texas and are interested in learning about their solution, seize your chance to meet them on one (or more) of the following occasions: 

24-31 July – Open for meetings with partners and clients in Houston, Texas

27 July – Roundtable discussion in Cleopatra Enterprise Houston office together with Accenture (open for guests!)

1-3 August – Exhibiting and presenting at Chem / Petrochem and Refinery Shutdowns and Turnarounds Conference in in San Antonio, Texas

Schedule a meeting now...

BLOG: BEST PRACTICES FOR SHUTDOWNS, TURNAROUNDS, AND OUTAGES (STO) ESTIMATING: INSIGHTS FROM CLEOPATRA ENTERPRISE

STOs are critical events in industrial plants and facilities, requiring accurate cost estimation for successful planning and execution.

In this article, Cleopatra Enterprise shares valuable insights on how to improve STO estimating processes, ensuring efficient resource allocation and cost management.

Explore the key best practices as advised by experts in the field!

Read blog...

A superior alternative to the "most popular" software for us as planners?

Spider Project 

Spider Project offers numerous unique functional features and is the only PM software that optimizes resource, cost, and material constrained schedules and budgets for projects and portfolios. 

Check it out here...  Ask questions here...

The next LIVE event for Construction CPM Conference 2024 will be held at San Antonio January 14-17 2024

More info here... Seeking Presenters... Latest News...

A FULL DAY of lectures from the SmartPM team on Basics through Analytics and Oversight

To obtain your Zoom Invite please send request to info@constructioncpm.com.

Our Continuing Mission Since 2011

• To explore leading edge CPM scheduling concepts
• To seek out new expert schedulers and software solutions
• To boldly go where no scheduling conference has gone before