Client Name

ASTICAN

Organization Size

201-500

Solution

Digital PTW System (ePTW)

Challenge

  • Traditional Paper-Based system
  • Non Transparency
  • Inadequate Tacking
  • Lack of Predictive Analytics

Given the interrelated nature of tasks, traditional hard copies were cumbersome, prompting the need for PTW process automation, with over 100 permits generated daily.

Astican handles over 180 projects annually with approximately 1500 workers. These involve high-risk tasks like hot work, blasting, painting, lifting operations, and more. Much of their work is outdoors, exposing workers to extreme weather conditions, and heavy equipment and materials are commonly used.

Stakeholders sought to standardize their permit-to-work process due to varying templates, which impacted transparency and communication. Standardized forms mitigate risks in high-risk environments like confined spaces and heights.

After extensive discussions, Astican collaborated with TECH EHS online in April 2019 to streamline their work permits. With input from SMEs and collaboration with Astican personnel, TECH EHS professionals developed standardized forms for the entire project lifecycle.

Digital permit-to-work systems were crucial for process visualization and user accessibility. Astican handles 160-180 projects annually, each lasting one to three weeks, involving multiple parties such as specialized contractors, Astican personnel, and ship workers.

Solution

  • Overview of Site Activities
  • Mobile App for Permit Re-Validation and Requests
  • Multilingual Software Capabilities
  • Email notifications and Digital Signatures for Permits
  • SaaS Platform and Server Provision (Microsoft Azure)

With complete visibility of work permits and mobile app accessibility, ePTW facilitates seamless operations even in the field.

With a workforce of 100-120 contractors, TECH EHS took one month to standardize the entire process, creating uniform checklists for various job roles and associated activities, including fire watcher duties, isolation areas, confined spaces, and tank verification, adapted for the digital platform.

Astican employees encountered various challenges during implementation, prompting Tech EHS to tailor the software for optimal usability. The feature-rich real-time dashboard guides employees to take necessary actions promptly.

The process took 8 to 10 weeks, including four weeks for standardizing permit forms and 4 to 5 weeks for User Acceptance Testing (UAT) delivery. Since July 2019, the software has been rolled out gradually on a project-by-project basis, involving 200 to 250 personnel in managing the digital solution.

A significant advantage was the built prototype, which allowed users to analyze software in depth. Astican’s protocols required 2-3 people per contractor team to execute and verify work permits. The automated PTW software minimized errors, ensuring efficient permit processing.

TECH EHS software experts guided Astican’s month-long User Acceptance Testing throughout the permit’s lifecycle.

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Outcome

ePTW has been fully implemented throughout the shipyard, creating a comprehensive repository of permit-related tasks by project.

To date, ePTW has been implemented in the whole shipyard, and the software creates a repository of all permit-related tasks project-wise. Our Permit to Work software is a valuable tool for insights, enabling Astican to objectively assess processes and identify areas for improvement. Optimizing processes reduces the risk of non-compliance-related injuries, and the software serves as an indispensable source of data. Safety personnel gain a comprehensive view of onsite work, with the software providing insights into ongoing schedules and bridging communication gaps with workers.

Benefits

Streamlined Processes
Standardized PTW System
Automation
Informed Workforce