Storytelling: Hana’s Implementation of PTW at Her Palm Oil Mill

1. Permit to Work (PTW) System – Explanation

A Permit to Work (PTW) is a formal written system used to control certain types of hazardous work to ensure that risks are assessed and controls are in place before the job starts. It is an important component of a Safe System of Work (SSOW).

Key features of PTW:

• Authorization: Only competent and authorized persons can issue and receive permits.

• Hazard identification: Each activity is assessed for potential hazards (fire, explosion, falls, toxic gas, etc.).

• Control measures: Specifies PPE, isolation, ventilation, fire watch, scaffolding, barricades, etc.

• Communication: All parties (supervisors, workers, contractors) are aware of conditions and restrictions.

• Duration: Permit is valid only for a specified time and task.

• Handover & closure: Work must be signed off as completed or suspended safely.

Types of PTW at palm oil mill (examples):

• Confined Space Entry Permit – For work inside tanks, silos, vessels, manholes. Requires gas testing, standby man, rescue plan.

• Work at Height Permit – For work above 2 meters. Requires scaffolding, harness, fall protection plan.

• Hot Work Permit – For welding, cutting, grinding. Requires fire extinguisher, fire watch, isolation of flammable materials.

• Lifting Operation Permit – For crane, hoist, or forklift lifting. Requires lifting plan, certified riggers, inspection of equipment.

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2. Storytelling: Hana’s Implementation of PTW at Her Palm Oil Mill

Hana had recently been promoted as the Safety Manager at a palm oil mill. She knew the mill operations involved high-risk activities every day — from welding boiler pipes, to workers cleaning inside sludge tanks, to crane lifting of heavy spare parts.

One day, during her safety audit, she noticed workers preparing to enter a sludge tank without any gas testing or standby person. That moment convinced her: the mill must strictly implement a Permit to Work (PTW) system.

Step 1: Awareness & Training

Hana gathered all supervisors, engineers, and contractors.
She explained:

“A PTW is not just paperwork. It is our guarantee that everyone goes home safely every day. No permit, no work.”

She conducted training on different types of permits — confined space, work at height, hot work, and lifting. Everyone learned how to recognize hazards, request a permit, and follow controls.

Step 2: Confined Space Entry

When workers had to clean inside the crude oil storage tank, Hana enforced:

• Gas test before entry (O₂ above 19.5%, no toxic gases).

• Ventilation fan installed.

• Standby man with radio communication.

• Rescue tripod with harness ready.
  She signed the Confined Space Entry Permit only after all measures were in place.

Step 3: Work at Height

During turbine repair, a team needed to work 6 meters above ground. Hana ensured:

• Proper scaffolding erected by certified scaffolders.

• Workers wore full body harness tied to lifelines.

• Tools secured with lanyards to prevent dropping.
  With these measures, she issued the Work at Height Permit.

Step 4: Hot Work

The maintenance crew had to weld a leaking pipeline near the kernel silo. Hana required:

• Fire extinguisher and water hose ready.

• Fire watch stationed throughout the job.

• Area cleared of oil-soaked rags and dust.
  Only then, she authorized the Hot Work Permit.

Step 5: Lifting Operations

For lifting a heavy gearbox with a mobile crane, Hana checked:

• The lifting plan and crane inspection certificate.

• Riggers and signalmen with valid training.

• Exclusion zone marked with barricade tape.
  She approved the Lifting Operation Permit once everything complied.

Step 6: Continuous Monitoring

Hana didn’t just sign permits and walk away. She regularly inspected work sites, suspended permits when conditions became unsafe (e.g., sudden rain during lifting), and motivated her team to treat safety as part of the job, not a burden.

Step 7: Culture of Safety

Over time, workers understood that PTW was not about slowing work, but about saving lives. Accidents dropped, audits improved, and contractors respected the mill for its professional safety standards.

Hana’s firm belief became the mill’s motto:
“Work safely or don’t work at all.”

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