FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
As more standards are introduced across building operations Penny Brinsley, Account Director, Service Works Global discusses the current trends in compliance and risk assessment, and explains how a permit to work system can offer various benefits, especially when integrated within a CAFM system
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Benjamin Franklin said this when discussing fire prevention, and the saying holds true to this day. Of course, we can extend its relevance to numerous compliance and health and safety issues, including critical asset maintenance, dangerous materials and the working environment.
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 is still the primary piece of legislation regarding compliance, followed by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. In addition to the obvious need to protect the safety of employees, the penalties for non-compliance can be substantial. The average fine is £150,000 and the highest last year was £10 million. Individuals can also face imprisonment, while the reputational damage can take years to come back from.
Compliance is often approached as a tick box exercise to avoid these penalties, but setting up strong compliance practices offers an opportunity to increase efficiency and reduce costs, on top of the health and safety benefits.
PERMIT TO WORK
Ensuring the security, validity and regulatory adherence of a contractor’s permit to work is crucial for maintaining personal health and safety.
Leading CAFM software provides permit management functionality or allows for the seamless integration of existing work permit software, providing a comprehensive end-to-end solution from the initial permit request through approval, publication, and issue to the on-site operative. This integrated approach offers organisations an efficient permit approval and allocation solution, helping to prevent compliance issues and ensuring permit documentation is watertight.
Permit to Work functionality within QFM software streamlines the process of requesting and obtaining work permits. It assists in creating permits by issuing relevant clearance documents to team members and attaching any specific requirements for the job, such as health and safety qualifications or equipment certifications.
Users can tailor the permit approval process to suit the needs of their building, creating as many approval stages as necessary. This process enhances security and accountability, providing a transparent record of who approved each element of the work. The integrated system eliminates the need for a separate platform for managing maintenance on-site, saving valuable time and resources.
If your CAFM solution doesn’t have this functionality, integrating a permit to work solution into an existing CAFM platform helps streamline planned maintenance processes and ensure ongoing compliance. The system ensures that all relevant information is prepared for the necessary work by centralising data when planning maintenance activities. This approach enhances H&S management by providing all team members with a clear understanding of the work, potential risks, and when permits are needed for contractors or operatives involved.
