10 reasons to adopt an electronic Permit To Work system (ePTW)
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This article explores what a Permit to Work system is, and gives strong reasons to adopt digital permits to work module. Plus, we share important tips for selecting a solution that’s right for your organisation.
What is a PTW system?
A Permit to Work (PTW) System is a formal process used to control potentially hazardous work. It is an essential part of safe work practices in industries like construction, manufacturing, utilities, mining, and energy. The PTW system ensures that all necessary safety checks are done before a job starts. It also ensures that everyone understands high-risk work activities, and the control measures in place.
The PTW protocol typically includes these steps:
- Identification of the work and its hazards.
- Risk assessment and implementation of safety measures.
- Issuance of the permit by authorised personnel involved.
- Work execution under safe conditions.
- Ongoing monitoring and control of work procedures in real time.
- Closure of the permit upon job completion.
The most common types of work permits include hot work permit, confined space permits, electrical work permits, and working at height permits.
What is an ePTW?
An ePTW (electronic Permit To Work) system modernises the traditional PTW process using digital tools. It usually includes:
- A mobile app to simplify permit applications, assessments, and approvals.
- A desktop app to track permit status and view analytics.
- Secure digital storage to keep records safe and easily accessible for audits.
This modern approach makes the permit process faster, more efficient, and easier to manage.
Top 10 reasons to use an ePTW system
Moving to a digital system encompasses multiple benefits.
- Enhanced safety: digital permits ensure a safe execution and a standard approach to safety, mitigating the risk of accidents and incidents.
- Contractual obligation: For some projects, clients or regulation may impose the usage of digital permits.
- Improved compliance: With an ePTW system, adherence to safety management systems and regulatory requirements is consistently upheld.
- Reduced costs: The automation of data entry and reporting cuts expenses significantly.
- Increased accountability: Digital signatures can track who has responsibility for each step of the work.
- Improved productivity: The Permit to Work software speeds up the submission and approval process. No more time wasted chasing pieces of paper and approvals before commencing work.
- Environmental impact: ePTW systems use less paper, helping the environment.
- Simplified audits: Records can be kept in the cloud and easily retrieved; say goodbye to the thousands of manual permit to work forms.
- Analytics: Build insights into trends, reasons for permit rejections, and correlations between near-misses and PTW applications.
- AI-driven insights: Use machine learning algorithms to analyse data collected in the field and prevent accidents. Learn more >>
5 key points to keep in mind when selecting an ePTW system
- User-friendliness: Make sure the system is intuitive and user-friendly for all employees. The mobile app should work in offline mode for areas with weak or no signal.
- Configuration capabilities: Permits to work are complex processes that often require tailored assessments, checks and approval workflows. Choose a system that can be customised to meet your specific needs.
- Integration capabilities: The system should seamlessly integrate data, especially with human resources and assets, enabling automated controls on personal qualifications and machinery certifications.
- Security & reliability: Ensure the system has strong security features and is reliable with minimal downtime.
- Analytics capabilities & AI readiness: The ability to analyse data can significantly aid in identifying unsafe practices and potential issues. Furthermore, the rapid advancement in machine learning algorithms facilitates the development of models that can help prevent accidents. Learn more >>
Kickstart your digital journey today
Adopting an electronic Permit to Work system represents a significant step forward in improving efficiency and compliance. With digital solutions, your organisation can promote a stronger safety culture and meet higher safety standards. Remember, selecting the right ePTW system is key to gaining these benefits. Make a smart choice to transform your permit-to-work process into a streamlined, safe system of work that boosts safety.
Axel oversees the customer success team at Novade. He has orchestrated the digital transformation of hundreds of clients globally. His deep industry knowledge and practical know-how have established him as a recognised authority in digital solutions implementation.
Novade is the market leader for digitising safety field processes. Every day, clients around the world use Novade applications submit, approve, monitor, and analyse millions of digital permits to work.
