Permit to work, Procedures and principles

Despite having a Permit To Work system, Occidental Petroleum’s Piper Alpha platform was destroyed by explosion and fire after a shift reinstated a system left partially disassembled by the previous shift. 167 men perished in this incident due to failure to properly communicate permit state at shift handover.

Permits To Work are integral safety systems that control and manage risks which arise during hazardous tasks on board. They ensure all personnel are mindful of their roles and responsibilities. Designed for management, operational and support level workers, this module offers a practical and educational guide through the safe operational running of a vessel.

Learning objectives:

• The principles and purpose of a Permit To Work system
• Typical shipboard situations where a Permit To Work is necessary
• The features, conditions and process of issuing a Permit To Work
• Efficient record keeping