NEBOSH Practice Test

What is the purpose of a permit-to-work system during maintenance shutdown?

1. To ensure all services are operational

2. To verify contractor compliance

3. To ensure safe isolation and drainage of systems

4. To schedule regular maintenance checks

The correct answer is: To ensure safe isolation and drainage of systems

A permit-to-work system is an essential safety protocol used during maintenance shutdowns to manage and mitigate risks associated with potentially hazardous tasks. The primary purpose of this system is to ensure safe isolation and drainage of systems before maintenance can commence. This involves formally documenting and communicating the status of hazardous energy sources, isolating machinery, and ensuring that it is safe for personnel to carry out their work without risk of unexpected energy release or system failure. By ensuring that systems are properly isolated and drained, the permit-to-work system helps to prevent accidents and injuries caused by unexpected machinery operation during maintenance activities. It provides a structured approach that guarantees all safety measures are put in place, which is critical in environments where failures can lead to serious consequences. While verifying contractor compliance and ensuring services are operational are important aspects of management and operational efficiency, they are not the primary focus of a permit-to-work system. Additionally, scheduling regular maintenance checks is part of a different aspect of maintenance planning and is not directly related to the specific purpose of a permit-to-work system in relation to safety during a maintenance shutdown.