Posted By Paul Costelloe
Graham,

As you will already know, training is just one of the attributes that go towards making someone 'competent'.

Also,I would suggest the issuing of permits 'per se' is not a subject which someone could be trained in easily in order to be competent to issue all types of permits.

For example, the issuing of electrical permits to work is only (or should only be) carried out by people with detailed knowledge and experience of working with electricity. We count a one week HV Operational Safety course as going towards fulfilling the training requirements for a 'competent person', able to issue electrical permits to work. Candidates for this course however, will already have the pre-requisite knowledge and experience of working with electricity - the Operational Safety course only covering the safety management system associated with electrical work, of which permits are a part.

Obviously there are other types of permits (hot work, roof work, confined spaces) which would require different knowledge, training, experience etc.

A 'one course fits all' is a misnomer in my opinion - and if there were such a course, this alone would not make someone 'competent'.

Best regards