History tells us that the issue of a permit-to-work does not make a job safe. Poor preparation, planning, and communication have all contributed to permit failures leading to accidents.

Step Change in Safety has developed a pocket card that sets out the ‘essential rules’ to be followed when preparing a permit to work. Ten thousand of these pocket cards will be sent to offshore installations and distributed to workers. It is hoped that use of the card as a checklist will reduce permit-related accidents and incidents. The card also advises every worker to stop work if any of the steps in the process cannot be completed satisfactorily. This will ensure that safety will always come first.

The card is based on the Health and Safety Executive publication, HSG250, ‘Guidance on permit-to-work systems – A guide for the petroleum, chemical and allied industries.