COMPLIANCE AND HEALTH & SAFETY
valve labelling, locking-off devices (safety locks, proprietary devices, or chain), temporary safety signs, and the availability of a suitable and sufficient number of accessible valves for isolation and draining/venting/proving.
Correctly resourced and implemented A procedural document by itself, of course, does not constitute a SSoW; it must be resourced and implemented fully and correctly. This will involve (among other things): n Communication: during the development of the procedures to ensure they are fit for purpose, and to ensure that it is understood by employees and contractors, and applied correctly.
n The appointment of key personnel (e.g. an Authorising Engineer) to co-ordinate the implementation.
n Assessment, training, and appointment, of enough site staff to undertake the site implementation and day-to- day operation of the SSoW.
n Regular review, monitoring, and audit.
The appointment of an Authorising Engineer Mechanical to assist with the implementation is a vital step in establishing a formal SSoW. Various Safe Systems of Work are currently being developed under the auspices of the IHEEM Health and Safety Advisory Platform (which is also developing other Safe System of Work documents). The progression to a formal document has started, and now will travel the well-trodden consultation, approval, and publication route.
References 1 Morpeth A. Limitations with HTMs need addressing. Health Estate Journal 2024; 78(4): 57-59. https://tinyurl. com/4tvxp6fm
2 Great Britain. The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000. UK Statutory Instruments 2000 No 128: Part II: Regulation 9. The Stationery Office, London.
3 Great Britain. Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Section 2. The Stationery Office, London.
4 Health Facilities Scotland. Scottish Health Technical Memorandum 08-08. Pressure systems: policies and guidance. Scotland: NHS National Services Scotland; July 2014.
5 Department of Health. Health Technical Memorandum 02-01: Medical gas pipeline systems. London, May 2006.
6 Ministry of Defence (MOD) Directorate of Defence Safety and Claims (DS&C). 4: Mechanical Systems – Boiler Pressure Systems. London, 2020.
7 Ministry of Defence (MOD) Directorate of Defence Safety and Claims (DS&C). 2: Common Requirements. London, 2020.
8 Guidance on permit-to-work systems: A guide for the petroleum, chemical and allied industries HSG 250 [online]. Health & Safety Executive, London, 2005. Available from:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg250.htm
9 The safe isolation of plant and equipment. HSG 253 [online]. Second Edition. London, 2006. Available from: https://www.
hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg253.htm
10 Combustion Engineering Association. Guidance on the Safe Isolation of Plant and Equipment (Ref: BG10). Edition 1. Combustion Engineering Association, 2023.
Above left: A well laid- out Authorised Person room helps demonstrate management commitment to Safe Systems of Work.
Above: Good valve identification, in conjunction with accurate schematics, form an essential part of Safe Systems of Work.
May 2025 Health Estate Journal 47
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