Posted By Allan St.John Holt
The answer to each of your 4 questions is 'No', but that's not the end of it.

1. Self-issue is self-defeating.

2. The enforcing authority taking a view on it, and the system generally, is statistically likely to happen only after something has gone wrong. In which case it may be found that the system didn't work as it should.

3. Open-ended, or even long-duration, permits are not a good idea in my experience, as systems require tight specification of the work and precautions in order to be successful and the longer the period the less likely this will be achieved. Maybe there isn't really a need for a permit at all, and some other control method might be more appropriate. I believe that the credibility of such a system depends on it being seen as appropriate and necessary, and followed without deviation.

4. It isn't a legal requirement to display the permit - but that's not really the point. It is good practice, and you will find this mentioned in all commentaries and codes, or some minor variation on the theme.

Others may disagree with the above personal views, but I hope they help.

Allan

Posted By Richard
Just to add my voice to Allan's. I was once asked to look at a premises, and I noticed that they were using a propane burner on the roof. When I asked if they had been issued with a PTW I was told that they had issued their own! Needless to say the reason I noticed them was because of the way they were working.

On the other other point I invariably put a time limit on a PTW, and expect work to stop once it runs out. I do not renew without a full investigation as to the reasons such a renewal is necesary. If you do not rigidly enforce a PTW there is no point in issuing one

Richard