Introduction

One of the key focus areas in Operational Risk Management (ORM) is Control of Work (CoW). CoW is referenced using many naming
conventions including: Safe Work Permitting, Permit to Work, Integrated Safe Systems of Work (ISSoW), and Work Permitting. To add complexity, in the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates Hot Work, another related term.

CoW serves as a means of communication between facility management, plant supervisors, operators, and those who carry out hazardous work.   The purpose of CoW is to prevent process safety incidents by thoroughly evaluating work procedures during the planning stages and authorizing work when risk is a minimum.  The documentation for CoW provides evidence that the hazards were acknowledged, analyzed, and resolved, and controls are in place to make sure risk is minimized. 

This white paper explores this topic further.