There are so many reasons to have a permit to work system. Not only is a permit to work often a legal requirement of OHS, it’s also an important act of compassion for people who work for you. Ensuring that people understand their obligations and are qualified to carry out a job is integral to protecting the health and wellbeing of everyone.

A permit to work system provides a way to assess the risks of a job and specify precautions. By specifying the work that needs to be done and calling out the risks, it is easier to ensure that the right people are doing the job. People always ask “why have a permit to work system?”. To answer that question we’re giving you the top reasons to invest in a permit to work software.

Why Are Paper-Based Permit To Work Systems Not Working Anymore?

The question is not only “why use a permit to work system?”. But also, “why install an electronic permit to work system?”. Well, an electronic permit to work system is far superior to a paper based system, because:

• Paper-based permits to work can get lost, damaged or be tampered with
• Paper-based permits to work are impossible to customise or edit
• With a digital permit to work system you can request permits easily with the push of a button, but with paper based ones it’s a long process
• There is no digital trace with paper permits, which is essential in the modern world
• With paper-based you can’t collate all permits that have been requested, issued and approved in one place in the same way you can with an ePTW system
• Digital permit to work systems are far more productive, and free up your team members’ time
• With an ePTW system you don’t need to worry about illegible handwriting. It is much easier to understand and file away digitally.
• Electronic systems are far more secure

Why Are People Still Using Traditional Permit To Work Systems?

A permit to work system is essential for signing off work that is to be completed on a site. For this reason, many businesses have stuck with their paper permit to work systems out of necessity. They fear that changing to an online system would be a lengthy process and worry that it would take them forever to set up. This isn’t true, and in fact, permit to work software will actually save time. 

The main reasons that people use paper-based systems is because they simply don’t know any better, or they fear advancing their systems. If that sounds like your company, take a look at the reasons that you should consider an electronic PTW system.

Why Have A Permit To Work System?

Take a look at the top reasons to have a permit to work system.

• Ensure that your team is on top of issuing permits

A key problem with paper-based systems is that there is no real-time trace of what permits are being confirmed on site. For example, someone might forget to issue a permit to work, and then fill in the permit to work form a week later after the work has been completed. This goes against OHS.

On the flip side, with an electronic system you’re able to capture the permits being issued in real time and ensure that they are dated correctly. This removes the opportunity for people to fill the permit in after the work is completed, and means that people are held accountable for signing off on permits.

• Support risk assessment procedures

Many high risk jobs have specific criteria to be met before someone can carry out the job. A permit to work system prevents workers from working on that project until the risk assessment is complete and they are confirmed to be qualified to work. This protects both the business and the individual from harm.

• Set out clear procedures 

A key benefit of a permit to work system is that your people understand what is expected of them. By setting out clear frameworks, guidelines and procedures, it makes the entire site a lot safer. This is especially true when it comes to how the site should be kept in a safe state, and how workers can ensure safe work can be carried out.

Have you got questions about permit to work systems? Reach out today to start a free trial with Beakon, and discover why you should have a permit to work system.