PTW & Control of Work Improvement
Location:
Western Europe
Sector:
Industrial construction
Client Profile:
Tier-1 EPC contractor managing complex industrial construction activities across multiple operational workfronts.
Operational Context
During an active construction phase, inconsistent permit-to-work practices created uncertainty around task authorisation and control measures. Multiple contractors were conducting lifting operations, electrical works and simultaneous activities across interconnected operational workfronts.
Existing PTW procedures lacked consistency across contractor teams and disciplines.
Weak coordination increased exposure to uncontrolled interfaces and conflicting activities.
HSEWIDE Response
HSEWIDE provided targeted consulting support to review existing Control of Work arrangements. Working directly alongside project stakeholders, the team focused specifically on:
- Reviewing existing permit-to-work procedures
- Mapping critical interfaces
- Clarifying permit responsibilities and approval boundaries
- Aligning contractors around consistent authorisation requirements
- Strengthening isolation verification and SIMOPS coordination
- Project management retained full ownership of operational decisions and approvals
Recommendations remained within the agreed HSE consulting scope.
Outcome:
- Clearer permit responsibilities and pathways
- More consistent controls across active workfronts
- Contractor alignment improved
- Critical interfaces clarified
- Stronger PTW oversight
Consequences avoided:
- Conflicting work permits across simultaneous high-risk operations
- Uncontrolled isolations and SIMOPS conflicts
- Miscommunication between contractor teams during permit handovers and approvals
- Potential unsafe starts, permit breaches and project delays.