What is ISSOW software?
ISSOW or ‘Integrated Safe Systems Of Work’ is generally used to describe a modular system to manage safety critical tasks in hazardous environments, combining Permit to work, Risk management and Isolation management with other important functionality to ensure that tasks can be performed safely
Key Features
Permit to work
A Permit to work module provides an authorisation workflow to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to perform a task safely. It results in a permit which acts as a central record of all safety-related information for the task, along with additional data such as task location, details of personnel involved and status of the task. The permit is a good vehicle to tie together the elements of ISSOW since it is the document which is issued before a task can commence.
Risk Assessment
Before a permit can be issued for work to commence, all hazards and associated risks relating to the task should be clearly identified, along with controls to mitigate these risks. Ideally the risk assessment should be directly connected to the permit to work so that all personnel working on the task can see all risk data.
Isolation Management
Isolation management involves ensuring that any equipment or machinery which may be hazardous to those performing the task cannot be accidentally activated while the task is underway. Typically this would involve the use of LOTO ( lock-out tag-out) processes to physically block access to switches, valves etc.
Benefits of using ISSOW Software
Real Time Visibility
Having an integrated repository of all data relating to a task means that all involved parties can have access across all the core elements of the task. This helps decision making.
Improved Safety
The ability of ISSOW to mandate risk assessment, Isolations management etc before issue of a permit reduces the risk of error and improves safety for all involved.
Improved Compliance
ISSOW makes audit and reporting easier because data is centrally managed. Permits can also allow for safety inspections while the task is underway.
SIMOPS Management
Tasks occurring close to each other can cause problems on a busy worksite. Storing location and time data for each tasks allows SIMOPS to be more easily identified
Cost Savings
Because the core safety data relating to a task is stored centrally, staff do not have to learn and manage multiple systems, deal with duplicated information or physically move forms etc around for approval and handback.