Which statement best describes the purpose of a permit to work system?

Which statement best describes the purpose of a permit to work system?

• A. It authorises specific tasks with defined controls and risk assessment.
• B. It records general safety procedures only.
• C. It ensures that tasks are authorised with defined controls and a risk assessment, plus documentation for audit.
• D. It schedules shift changes.

Answer: (C)

A permit to work system focuses on ensuring hazardous tasks are properly planned, authorized and controlled, with a clear record of what is approved and how it will be carried out. The best description is that it ensures tasks are authorised with defined controls and a risk assessment, plus documentation for audit. This means before work starts, the permit captures the task, the hazards, the specific control measures, and who is responsible, and it leaves an auditable trail showing compliance and approvals. The other statements miss key elements: recording only general safety procedures doesn’t cover task-specific authorization or risk assessment; scheduling shift changes isn’t the purpose of a permit to work; and while authorizing tasks with controls and risk assessment is close, the added documentation for audit is what provides traceability and regulatory compliance.

A permit to work system focuses on ensuring hazardous tasks are properly planned, authorized and controlled, with a clear record of what is approved and how it will be carried out. The best description is that it ensures tasks are authorised with defined controls and a risk assessment, plus documentation for audit. This means before work starts, the permit captures the task, the hazards, the specific control measures, and who is responsible, and it leaves an auditable trail showing compliance and approvals. The other statements miss key elements: recording only general safety procedures doesn’t cover task-specific authorization or risk assessment; scheduling shift changes isn’t the purpose of a permit to work; and while authorizing tasks with controls and risk assessment is close, the added documentation for audit is what provides traceability and regulatory compliance.