It is well accepted in the industrial environment that before carrying out any work that is not a routine activity – already properly described and regulated by a Work Instruction or Internal Standard – that an evaluation of the task to be carried out should be performed to evaluate the risks involved and what protective measures have to be taken.
This evaluation is usually done through a checklist called Permit To Work (or simply PTW), also known as Permission to Work , Permission to Work on Risk, Permission for Special Work, etc.
These check lists are used both to evaluate a job BEFORE it starts – preferably by a multidisciplinary team – as well as to have a formal authorization for the work and formally record the closure of the work. In accident cases, it becomes a key document in the accident investigation process and therefore the importance of being properly prepared, approved and closed.
Although in Brazil the Permit To Work is not governed by a legal regulation of its own, it is mentioned in the Norma Reguladora NR-20 (Work with Flammable and Combustible), NR-33 (Confined Space), NR-34 (Civil Construction) and NR- 35 (Working at Height).
This topic addresses, among other things:
- How to fill up a Permit To Work.
- Topics covered in the Permit To Work.
- Issuers and Authorizers of a Permit To Work.
- Validity of a Permit To Work.
- The Permit To Work and the Risk Analysis of services.
- Physical location and custody of the Permit To Work.
- Closing of the Permit To Work.
- The Permit To Work in NR-33, NR-34 and NR-35
- Permissions for Special Works.
