NR NR/L2/OHS/133 ISSUE 1 PDF

This standard provides guidance on the permit to work system and processes that support the planning and delivery of safe work which must be followed by all parties working on behalf of Network Rail.

This standard is complementary to and to be used in conjunction with existing rule books, regulations, legislation, standards, processes and procedures.

This document defines the principles and process for:

a. planning the permit to work to be implemented at any Network Rail site of work for the construction, testing, inspection, maintenance, replacement, disposal or commissioning of Network Rail infrastructure or assets (including the delivery and use of materials, tools, equipment, plant and vehicles to facilitate such work)

b. assessing and communicating the operational, location and task risks for the work to be completed, and identifying appropriate controls

c. allocating the responsibilities and accountabilities of personnel with respect to planning, on-site safety and the management and communication of operational, location and task risk

d. documenting lessons learned and performing assurance checks to encourage ongoing improvement of the planning and delivering of safe systems of work. 

This document covers what the Network Rail permit to work system is: what to do, who does it and what competencies people need to do it. 

Appendix A provides the details of key standards affected by the introduction of the competence of Safe Work Leader (SWL).

Purpose 

Planning and Delivering Safe Work (PDSW) has been designed to:

a. standardise the process of undertaking work on Network Rail infrastructure

b. manage and reduce the risks of injury and/or fatality through clarification of safety responsibilities and accountabilities

c. mandate communication activities such that appropriate levels of understanding of risks and safety controls are maintained

d. mitigate the risks of injury and/or fatality through comprehensive risk assessment and implementation of standardised safety controls

e. improve the competence of individuals. 

PDSW includes the permit to work system, introducing three important aspects:

a. New electronic permitting technology, Proscient

b. A number of new competencies and system roles

c. New processes to support a and b above.

These changes provide clarity around the accountability and responsibility for planning and delivering safe work. 

In implementing the permit to work system, it is envisaged that Network Rail will see a step change in terms of a reduction of incidents and accidents by:

a. increasing clarity associated with responsibilities

b. enhancing the planning process by involving those delivering the work

c. reducing the number of uncontrolled or late changes to the plan

d. increasing the focus on the identification of hazards and associated management of risks and controls.