Prioritizing the indicators influencing permit to work system efficiency based on an analytic network process

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Risk Management
• Industrial Engineering

Background:

• Permit to Work (PTW) systems are formal procedures for controlling hazardous work.
• PTW systems alone do not prevent incidents; their efficiency depends on various contributing factors.
• Identifying and prioritizing these factors is crucial for improving PTW system effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and prioritize indicators that significantly influence the efficiency of Permit to Work (PTW) systems.
• To provide a ranked list of factors that safety experts can focus on to enhance PTW system performance.
• To contribute to the reduction of workplace accidents by improving the understanding of PTW system efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Identification of PTW system indicators by 15 safety experts.
• Scoring of identified indicators by the expert panel.
• Analysis of indicator priority weights using the Analytic Network Process (ANP) and Super Decisions software.
• Ranking of main and sub-indicators influencing PTW system efficiency.

Main Results:

• Nine main indicators and 43 sub-indicators influencing PTW system efficiency were identified and ranked.
• The highest-ranked main indicators were: preventive actions, training, safe procedures, emergency system, control and corrective measures, coordination, monitoring, and permit form/documentation details.
• This prioritization highlights critical areas for intervention to improve PTW system effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully identified and ranked key indicators essential for an efficient Permit to Work system.
• Focusing on high-priority indicators such as preventive actions and training can lead to significant improvements in PTW system performance.
• Implementing targeted measures based on these findings can help prevent system failures and reduce the incidence of workplace accidents.