Posted By Tabs I've done a quick search and can't see this having been asked before but I will need a considered opinion by 4pm tonight... Should the H&S function manage the PTW office? Pro's and cons would be appreciated, oh wise people of IOSH cheers Tabs (my opinion at the moment is "no" for I would like to remain independent).

Posted By CFT Tabs Do the PTW office have the necessary experience, knowledge and competency to handle this efficiently? If yes, then not a problem; if not, well you know the answer to that one:-) Charley

Posted By Peter How I presume PTW means Permit to Work. I always set up permit to work systems (of what ever type) as "I permit YOU to work on MY plant". Thus permits are always issued by management who ever owns the plant, building or operations as ultimately management own the safety of their staff. It may be that other parties are involved in the permit issue, it depends on what the particular PTW procedure defines. Of course all permit issuers have been trained and validated by safety dept. Safety often also own fire / security /OH and some areas themselves, so will issue their own PTW then. Peter

Posted By Garry Adams Tabs, In my experience the administration of a efficient and effective Permit to Work Management System requires H&S considerations to be integrated into a Permit to Work for the permit to function correctly. During the pre-task analysis, hazards are identifies and measures are devised and implemented to remove, control, reduce and or eliminate these hazards the aforementioned falls within the remit of the Safety Practitioner, for this reason I would submit that H&S Has a significant role Permit office Management. Best regards, Garry...

Posted By Tabs Thanks for the replies. FYI their management went to one of the larger vendors, so I retain an audit function.