Work control, permit-to-work and task risk management

The execution of maintenance and project work activities, if not appropriately managed, can significantly increase the levels of HS&E and process safety risk.

• 17.1Appropriate work control and permit-to-work arrangements, proportionate to the risk, are employed to assure the safety of personnel, plant, process and the integrity of the asset during work activities.
• 17.2Key stages in the work control arrangements are reviewed and approved by specified levels of management.
• 17.3Permit-to-work systems, proportionate to the risk, are employed to ensure both the safety of personnel and the integrity of the asset during maintenance or project work activities.
• 17.4There are procedures that ensure that HS&E and process safety risks arising from work tasks are systematically identified and assessed, before work starts and as circumstances change and where new risks arise during execution of work.
• 17.5Risk control measures are identified and implemented to manage the identified risks to a tolerable level.
• 17.6Task risk assessments consider risk to: health and safety of employees, contractors and members of the public; assets and property; environment; reputation; and business interruption.
• 17.7Completed task risk assessments are reviewed and approved by specified named competent individuals appropriate to the magnitude of the risk and any decisions are clearly documented.
• 17.8All of the work group are made aware of task risk assessments and required control measures, process and results.
• 17.9Adequate numbers of competent personnel are available to carry out the required work control, permit-to-work and task risk management arrangements.
• 17.10Arrangements for work control, permit-to-work and task risk management are understood and followed; understanding of arrangements, and compliance with them, are regularly tested.
• 17.11Compliance and performance trends are reviewed by specified levels of management.