Page 5 - Common Elements - CCPS Safe Work Practice

Fundamental Intent

This document describes common elements of Permit to Work (PTW) Systems, Safe Work Practices (SWP),
and Permits. These elements include governance, management practices, and continuous improvement. The
effectiveness of every safe system of work is dependent upon the people involved in the process. For this reason,
several Human Factors, and their relevance to PTW, SWP, and Permits is presented.
The PTW system covers activities that are not part of the normal process for converting raw materials into finished
products, and therefore are not covered by a facility’s standard operating procedures. The PTW system includes an
integrated set of policies, procedures, practices, and permits that help protect workers from hazards and prevent
the sudden release of process materials or energy during non-routine work activities. A PTW system is part of a
company’s overall safe system of work, and should reflect the elements of the company’s Safety Philosophy including:
g All incidents and injuries can be prevented
g Safety is a management responsibility
g Safety is a job requirement and a condition of employment
g All work must be performed with a focus on safety
g No shortcuts or deviations are allowed from safety rules
g Every incident is a learning opportunity and we will learn from all incidents
g Every worker is empowered to stop and correct unsafe acts

SWP are critical elements of the PTW system and provide requirements to control hazards in specific applications
of non-routine work. These applications include Line Opening, Energy Isolation – Lock Out/Tag Out, Confined Space
Entry, Working at Height, and many others. SWP and Permits help ensure that workers understand the hazards
involved with the work and take appropriate actions to manage risk when performing non-routine work activities.
A PTW system should contain the following key elements and characteristics. These elements describe the
governance of the PTW system along with the management and application of SWP and Permits that are issued
under the authority of the PTW system.

COMMON ELEMENTS OF PERMIT TO WORK SYSTEMS, SAFE WORK PRACTICES, AND PERMITS 5