scholarly journals Permit to work: the Integrated Safe System of Work

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 665
Author(s):  
Ally Oliver

A permit to work (PTW) system is a formal system used to control certain types of work that are identified as potentially hazardous. It is also a means of communication between facility management, plant supervisors and operators, and those who carry out the hazardous work. The essential features of a PTW system are: • Clear identification for who may authorise particular jobs, and who is responsible for specifying the necessary precautions; • Training and instruction in the issue and use of permits; and, • Monitoring and auditing to ensure that the system works as intended. PTW systems are the key to ensuring safe execution of activities at site, yet there are many approaches to how permit systems can, and should, work. Each approach has its own merits and weaknesses. Woodside recognised that, as part of its ongoing program to improve the safety of its workers, there existed significant scope for a new and better work management system. After many years of incremental evolution of the PTW and the fragmentation of the parent system as each facility developed its own variation, it was evident that a completely new system embracing modern technology would provide the best result, while simultaneously standardising Woodside with one common and centralised system. The divergence of the systems over time caused increasing difficulty in managing changes to the PTW system across all sites and in benchmarking to determine best practice. A centralised system would remove accountability from facilities for the development of the business rules, and instead ensure they focussed on compliance with the rules. The new system would adopt key learnings from the industry’s history and address root causes of past incidents. It would also enable the ability to adopt future learnings and become a conduit for rapid integration into the working practices on all sites. The Integrated Safe System of Work (iSSoW) developed by Woodside adopts best practices from permit systems worldwide and combines them with new innovative management features. The system is administered through a simple-to-use computer interface, with incorporation of many of the business rules into the software package. The iSSoW is now in place on all Woodside facilities (platforms, not-normally manned installations, FPSO’s and onshore plants). With nearly 4,000 users, the implementation has required careful coordination, and been supported by a comprehensive training programme. The system has been demonstrated to be both effective and efficient. Effectiveness—the improvement of safety performance—was the primary objective. The system has raised work party hazards awareness, and has resulted in significant improvements in working practices company-wide. Efficiency was a secondary goal, and is made possible through streamlining in the user-interface. The introduction of the new system complements Woodside’s work to develop an improved safety culture, and brings consistency across all sites and all shifts—essential features as our industry struggles to deal with the growing scarcity of skills and experience. The system is now being reviewed by organisations across many industry and service sectors in Australia, and has been implemented in the power industry. This paper discusses the attributes of the system, the many challenges associated with development and large-scale implementation of such a core system, and the additional opportunities the system presents. Using a case study of implementation of iSSoW onto the Woodside operational facilities, it highlights the critical success factors of introducing iSSoW on a company-wide basis.

2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 168-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birutė Ruzgienė ◽  
Qian Yi Xiang ◽  
Silvija Gečytė

The rectification of high resolution digital aerial images or satellite imagery employed for large scale city mapping is modern technology that needs well distributed and accurately defined control points. Digital satellite imagery, obtained using widely known software Google Earth, can be applied for accurate city map construction. The method of five control points is suggested for imagery rectification introducing the algorithm offered by Prof. Ruan Wei (tong ji University, Shanghai). Image rectification software created on the basis of the above suggested algorithm can correct image deformation with required accuracy, is reliable and keeps advantages in flexibility. Experimental research on testing the applied technology has been executed using GeoEye imagery with Google Earth builder over the city of Vilnius. Orthophoto maps at the scales of 1:1000 and 1:500 are generated referring to the methodology of five control points. Reference data and rectification results are checked comparing with those received from processing digital aerial images using a digital photogrammetry approach. The image rectification process applying the investigated method takes a short period of time (about 4-5 minutes) and uses only five control points. The accuracy of the created models satisfies requirements for large scale mapping. Santrauka Didelės skiriamosios gebos skaitmeninių nuotraukų ir kosminių nuotraukų rektifikavimas miestams kartografuoti stambiuoju masteliu yra nauja technologija. Tai atliekant būtini tikslūs ir aiškiai matomi kontroliniai taškai. Skaitmeninės kosminės nuotraukos, gautos taikant plačiai žinomą programinį paketą Google Earth, gali būti naudojamos miestams kartografuoti dideliu tikslumu. Siūloma nuotraukas rektifikuoti Penkių kontrolinių taskų metodu pagal prof. Ruan Wei (Tong Ji universitetas, Šanchajus) algoritmą. Moksliniam eksperimentui pasirinkta Vilniaus GeoEye nuotrauka iš Google Earth. 1:1000 ir 1:500 mastelio ortofotografiniai žemėlapiai sudaromi Penkių kontrolinių taškų metodu. Rektifikavimo duomenys lyginami su skaitmeninių nuotraukų apdorojimo rezultatais, gautais skaitmeninės fotogrametrijos metodu. Nuotraukų rektifikavimas Penkių kontrolinių taskų metodu atitinka kartografavimo stambiuoju masteliu reikalavimus, sumažėja laiko sąnaudos. Резюме Ректификация цифровых и космических снимков высокой резолюции для крупномасштабного картографирования является новой технологией, требующей точных и четких контрольных точек. Цифровые космические снимки, полученные с использованием широкоизвестного программного пакета Google Earth, могут применяться для точного картографирования городов. Для ректификации снимков предложен метод пяти контрольных точек с применением алгоритма проф. Ruan Wei (Университет Tong Ji, Шанхай). Для научного эксперимента использован снимок города Вильнюса GeoEye из Google Earth. Ортофотографические карты в масштабе 1:1000 и 1:500 генерируются с применением метода пяти контрольных точек. Полученные результаты и данные ректификации сравниваются с результатами цифровых снимков, полученных с применением метода цифровой фотограмметрии. Ректификация снимков с применением метода пяти контрольных точек уменьшает временные расходы и удовлетворяет требования, предъявляемые к крупномасштабному картографированию.


Author(s):  
Montgomery Van Wart ◽  
Anna Ni ◽  
Pamela Medina ◽  
Jesus Canelon ◽  
Melika Kordrostami ◽  
...  

AbstractThis article reports on a large-scale (n = 987), exploratory factor analysis study incorporating various concepts identified in the literature as critical success factors for online learning from the students’ perspective, and then determines their hierarchical significance. Seven factors--Basic Online Modality, Instructional Support, Teaching Presence, Cognitive Presence, Online Social Comfort, Online Interactive Modality, and Social Presence--were identified as significant and reliable. Regression analysis indicates the minimal factors for enrollment in future classes—when students consider convenience and scheduling—were Basic Online Modality, Cognitive Presence, and Online Social Comfort. Students who accepted or embraced online courses on their own merits wanted a minimum of Basic Online Modality, Teaching Presence, Cognitive Presence, Online Social Comfort, and Social Presence. Students, who preferred face-to-face classes and demanded a comparable experience, valued Online Interactive Modality and Instructional Support more highly. Recommendations for online course design, policy, and future research are provided.


Author(s):  
M. V. Pham ◽  
F. Plourde ◽  
S. K. Doan

Heat transfer enhancement is a subject of major concern in numerous fields of industry and research. Having received undivided attention over the years, it is still studied worldwide. Given the exponential growth of computing power, large-scale numerical simulations are growing steadily more realistic, and it is now possible to obtain accurate time-dependent solutions with far fewer preliminary assumptions about the problems. As a result, an increasingly wide range of physics is now open for exploration. More specifically, it is time to take full advantage of large eddy simulation technique so as to describe heat transfer in staggered parallel-plate flows. In fact, from simple theory through experimental results, it has been demonstrated that surface interruption enhances heat transfer. Staggered parallel-plate geometries are of great potential interest, and yet many numerical works dedicated to them have been tarnished by excessively simple assumptions. That is to say, numerical simulations have generally hypothesized lengthwise periodicity, even though flows are not periodic; moreover, the LES technique has not been employed with sufficient frequency. Actually, our primary objective is to analyze turbulent influence with regard to heat transfers in staggered parallel-plate fin geometries. In order to do so, we have developed a LES code, and numerical results are compared with regard to several grid mesh resolutions. We have focused mainly upon identification of turbulent structures and their role in heat transfer enhancement. Another key point involves the distinct roles of boundary restart and the vortex shedding mechanism on heat transfer and friction factor.


e-mentor ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 64-72
Author(s):  
Robert Pawlak ◽  

The aim of this article is to analyze the challenges and success factors on organizations’ path to agile transformation, as frequently discussed in the literature and encountered in business practice. The research conducted proved that large-scale agile transformations require a dedicated approach with set of tools and best practices in place. The implementation challenges and barriers have been categorized into method-, organization-, culture- and technology-oriented groups. As a result of an in-depth analysis carried on for the purpose of this paper, a dedicated methodology of agile transformation has been proposed to ease the implementation process.


2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-193
Author(s):  
Cătălin Badea

"The most crucial element of every life form on our planet, water has always been a source of potential animosity between clans, tribes and even states. With the advent of modern technology we have devoted less and less of our attention to this all-needed resource, but pollution, large-scale industrialization and agriculture, the population boom of the last centuries and crucially the climate calamity that it threatens to unleash, forces us to reconsider the key role played by water in the delicate and fragile ecosystem of our planet. This article takes a look at how water is, and will increasingly be, a source of contention and even conflicts between states, as climate changes and increasingly larger populations will be forced to fight over more and more depleted resources. With a focus on the case of the Nile river and the potential conflict over its water resources between Egypt and Ethiopia, this article examines how the mainstream state of water conflict thinking fails to explain the case of the Nile River Basis and the newly built Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and why the alternative ideas that are based on the notions of cooperation and justice might ultimately provide a better way of understanding the complex problem of the delicate management and use of water resources. Keywords: Water conflicts, Egypt, Ethiopia, GERD, The Nile"


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaweria Sultana

The primary objective of this research is to investigate the adaptability of the Scrum framework for large scale projects. A two phase approach has been undertaken towards the goal. The first phase involves conducting a systematic literature review to identify and elaborate scaling practices used in the current industry. The review also identifies the challenges faced by the developers when the Scrum framework is used for the development of large projects. The second phase involves the construction of a simulation model to analyze the dynamic behavior of the Scrum framework for large projects. The systematic literature review revealed that the major challenge while scaling Scrum is ensuring good communication among project members. The communication overhead was incorporated in the system dynamic model of the Scrum framework. The simulation results showed that there is a reduction in work rate when number of personnel is increased due to the increasing communication overhead.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0258169
Author(s):  
Daniel Trotzky ◽  
Liron Posner ◽  
Jonathan Mosery ◽  
Aya Cohen ◽  
Shiran Avisar ◽  
...  

Introduction Congestion in emergency departments [ED] is a significant challenge worldwide. Any delay in the timely and immediate medical care provided in the ED can affect patient morbidity and mortality. Our research analyzed the use of an innovative platform to improve patient navigation in the ED, as well as provide updated information about their care. Our hope is that this can improve ED efficiency and improve overall patient care. Objective The primary objective of our study was to determine whether the use of an automatic push notification system can shorten ‘length of stay’ (LOS) in the ED, improve patient flow, and decrease ED patient load. Methods This was a prospective cohort study utilizing data extrapolated from the electronic medical records of 2972 patients who visited the walk-in ED of a large-scale central hospital in Israel from January 17, 2021 to March 15, 2021. During this period, the automatic push text notification system was activated on a week-on week-off basis. We compared data from our experimental group with the control group. Results The results of this study indicate that the use of an automatic push notification system had a minimal impact on specific parameters of ED patient flow. Apart from a few significant reductions of specific timed-intervals during patients’ ED visit, the majority of results were not statistically significant. Conclusion This study concluded that the anticipated benefits of a push text notification system in the ED do not, at this stage, justify the system’s additional cost. We recommend a follow-up study to further investigate other possible benefits.


Author(s):  
Elżbieta Zębek

The primary objective of the water protection in the Water Framework Directive No. 2000/60/ EC is to maintain and improve the water environment by achieving good water status. These provisions have been implemented into Polish legislation in the Water Law Act of 2017. These goals are achieved by the use of appropriate legal instruments as a system of water-law approvals, including a permit, notification and legal-water assessment. The subject of the analysis is water-legal assessments as a new legal and administrative instrument of water protection. The aim is to deter-mine the legal nature of water-law assessments and to indicate their role in the protection of surface waters. Obtaining this assessment is required for investments that may affect the possibility of achieving environmental goals. If the planned investment has a positive or no impact on the possibility of achieving the environmental goals, it seems that the legal-water assessment is made. In the case of a negative impact, the obligation to submit documents confirming that all measures are taken to mitigate the negative effects of the impact on the state of water bodies are imposed. In this way, the legislator strengthened the protection of waters by imposing the obligation to meet additional conditions for large-scale investments that have a negative impact on the water environment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurore Lafond ◽  
Maurice Ringer ◽  
Florian Le Blay ◽  
Jiaxu Liu ◽  
Ekaterina Millan ◽  
...  

Abstract Abnormal surface pressure is typically the first indicator of a number of problematic events, including kicks, losses, washouts and stuck pipe. These events account for 60–70% of all drilling-related nonproductive time, so their early and accurate detection has the potential to save the industry billions of dollars. Detecting these events today requires an expert user watching multiple curves, which can be costly, and subject to human errors. The solution presented in this paper is aiming at augmenting traditional models with new machine learning techniques, which enable to detect these events automatically and help the monitoring of the drilling well. Today’s real-time monitoring systems employ complex physical models to estimate surface standpipe pressure while drilling. These require many inputs and are difficult to calibrate. Machine learning is an alternative method to predict pump pressure, but this alone needs significant labelled training data, which is often lacking in the drilling world. The new system combines these approaches: a machine learning framework is used to enable automated learning while the physical models work to compensate any gaps in the training data. The system uses only standard surface measurements, is fully automated, and is continuously retrained while drilling to ensure the most accurate pressure prediction. In addition, a stochastic (Bayesian) machine learning technique is used, which enables not only a prediction of the pressure, but also the uncertainty and confidence of this prediction. Last, the new system includes a data quality control workflow. It discards periods of low data quality for the pressure anomaly detection and enables to have a smarter real-time events analysis. The new system has been tested on historical wells using a new test and validation framework. The framework runs the system automatically on large volumes of both historical and simulated data, to enable cross-referencing the results with observations. In this paper, we show the results of the automated test framework as well as the capabilities of the new system in two specific case studies, one on land and another offshore. Moreover, large scale statistics enlighten the reliability and the efficiency of this new detection workflow. The new system builds on the trend in our industry to better capture and utilize digital data for optimizing drilling.


2020 ◽  
pp. 264-268
Author(s):  
Irina Podoynitsyna

The theses of the report are devoted to the problem of functioning of private universities in society, deter-mining their place in the educational process. A parallel is drawn with the work of private educational institutions in the United States, which have a glorious history of development dating back to the XVII century. The author of the theses relies on the analysis of special literature on this issue, formulates the success factors of American universities and the «failure factors» of Yakut private universities, and also refers to a large-scale sociological study of graduates of the Yakut Institute of Economics conducted under her leadership (Yakutsk, 469 respondents, 2016, 2017, 2018). The Author of the theses of the report con-cludes that in Russia the history of private universities began in the 90s of the twentieth century, it is quite dramatic. Branches of the capital's private universities operating in the province are at the greatest disad-vantage today. At the same time, sociologists should work on mistakes, study in detail the pros and cons of non-state universities and suggest ways to correct the situation.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document