Joe A PTW is a safe system of work. The permit is a written record of the precautions taken to ensure the safety of persons carrying out the specified task. It has nothing to do with any ISO standard. To be able to "issue" a permit to work the issuer needs to be competent in assessing and controlling the risks to be managed, not in simply issuing permits per se. So, take your confined space permit, who will do the O2/gas detection readings necessary before entry? Who will assess the rescue plan as adequate? Normally it is the person who issues the PTW. On my last construction project we had one of the safety team do some confined space training just so they could after all confined space works on site. Training is dependant on the risk being managed. Hope this helps a little. Jonty