Smart, Mobile Based Electronic Permit-to-Work System

Streamline permit approvals, enhance safety, track risks, & ensure compliance

RevDev has developed a low-cost, electronic Permit-to-Work (PTW) system that integrates perfectly with mobile phones and other mobile devices already being used by front-line workers at mines, plants and other industrial sites. Workers can access and interact with the system effortlessly via an app, installed directly or downloaded from any app store. Management can approve new permits on the fly and create new permit types, with centralized control. Permit Sentry can also be used to report and manage safety incidents, trigger emergency responses and manage access to controlled areas. It integrates seamlessly with third party solutions and provides notifications, reports, and dashboards – all customized to your requirements.

The Problem: Deadly, Costly Accidents Plague High-risk Workers

Workers in the Construction, Mining, Transportation/Warehousing industries suffer injuries at a much higher rate than those working in other sectors. Companies suffer the consequences and bear the costs.

High Incident Rates

The mining industry has a death rate of 16.6 per 100,000 workers. In contrast, Education and Health fields have a much lower rate of 0.8, highlighting the severe risks faced in mining.

Incidents are Costly

Even minor incidents are expensive. The US Bureau of Labor reported that in 2022, the average cost per medically consulted injury was $40,000, while the cost per death reached $1,390,000.

Compliance and Liability

Companies face legal action, regulatory shutdowns, rising insurance costs, & social media backlash if they can’t show they took all necessary steps to reduce risks after an incident.

Legacy Systems are Inefficient

Pen-and-paper or Word/Excel-based PTW systems are outdated. They are slow, prone to human error, and often hinder quick, accurate decision-making in critical safety processes.

The Solution: a smart, electronic, mobile-based PTW system

Permit-To-Work (PTW) systems place rigorous controls around who can do what types of work in which areas. Every worker is identified and assigned a series of permits specifying which types of work they are allowed to do in which areas. The permits are assigned based on training, work history, and other qualifications. Permit Sentry allows all of this to be done instantly, via computer or mobile phone.

Increased Safety

By enforcing safety measures and procedures, PTW systems help prevent accidents and incidents.

Operational Efficiency

Automating the permit process reduces delays and improves overall productivity.

Regulatory Compliance

Ensures that all activities comply with industry standards and legal requirements. Leaves a paper trail to reduce liability and facilitate learning and investigation of incidents.

Saves Money and Time

The average company can save countless man hours and more than $1,000 per worker annually by implementing such a system. The system costs less to implement than the cost of one serious incident.

Case Study: Worley at the Oyu Tolgoi mine site in Mongolia

Oyu Tolgoi is one of the largest copper mines in the world. There are more than 20,000 employees and contractors on the site. The local work force is highly capable but has limited experience in construction and mining. Safety incidents were common but difficult to track. In 2015 Worley was appointed to provide EPCM services for the materials handling systems and for surface and underground infrastructure. The team initially struggled to keep track of the myriad of safety and permit issues associate with the construction and engineering at the site.

Worley leadership worked with RevDev to put Permit Sentry in place, reducing costs and improving safety metrics.

Background

Location

Oyu Tolgoi Copper Mine, Mongolia

Customer

Worley Limited

Situation

More than 3,000 workers and contractors providing Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Management services at a developing mine site with open pit, underground and processing operations

Problem

Inefficient Legacy Systems

Paper systems designed around MS Office Suite were prone to errors and delays. Permits were issued late or rushed through without the proper levels of review.

Noncompliance

Permits to perform work were being reviewed and even signed by individuals without the proper level of experience and authority. This led to increased incident rates.

Incidents

Despite a strong safety culture, key safety metrics, like Near Misses and LTIFR were stubbornly higher than targets.

Solution

Implementation cost

$35,000 *. Can vary based on number of users

Software

$10,000 for licensing of underlying framework

Configuration & Integration

$25,000 for setup and integration with existing HSE system and business rules.

Installation

Data hosted in cloud. App available on mobile phone - installed directly or downloaded from any app store.

Hosting

$4,000 per annum

Servicing & Maintenance Cost

$3,000 + $1 per user (pro-rata), per annum

RESULTS

The new application forced compliance and adherence to the rules. As a result, the rate of incidents fell. There were also efficiency savings, as permits were issued faster and with less effort.

Improved Compliance

The electronic system forced compliance and added additional layers of oversight and protection. Permits could only be authorized by the device registered to the authorized individual and permits could not be forged on the electronic repository.

Reduction in Incidents

Near Misses LTIFR and other safety metrics improved toward over the course of several months

Increased Efficiency

The number of staff and man hours needed to manage the HSE and permitting system fell dramatically.

Improved Monitoring

The availability of real time, accurate incident and permit data allowed management to notice and correct emerging trends.

Direct Savings

Reduced HSE staff headcount needed for permiting by 3 (~$5,000 USD per month)

Indirect Savings

Harder to quantify the value of reduced injuries and improved compliance but likely larger than the Direct Savings

Shaft 1 at Oyu Tolgoi

Key Features: Complete health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Solution

PermitSentry can do more than just centralize and automate your Permit to Work system. It can also manage other aspects of your broader HSE structure:

Incident Reporting

Workers can report incidents and upload photographs or videos in real time. RevDev can install network devices to assure that mobile devices are always connected, even in the deepest parts of the underground.

Hazard Reporting

Hazard observations can also be recorded using standardized forms and sent to the appropriate party for review and rectification.

Inspections

Safety officers and supervisors can carry out work-place inspections, upload photos and file associated paperwork in real time using their phone.

Inductions

Visitors to site or workers being introduced to a new area of the operation can watch induction video and sign their induction forms directly on their mobile device.

Internal Communications

The system can send out site wide notifications or emergency warnings for devices in specific area.

More…

Additional human resource and access control functions can be added, as needed.

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