Manufacturing sees no shortage of dangerous tasks; welding near volatile materials, entering a confined space, repairing live electrical systems, and shutting down critical machinery, to name a few.
Traditionally, permits for this type of work have been paper-based, requiring workers to carry slips of paper to job sites to obtain a written supervisor’s sign-off. But, with the help of an Electronic Permit to Work (e-TPW) system, manufacturers can digitalize this process, resulting in fewer delays, stronger compliance, and greater confidence in permit approvals.
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What are Electronic to Work (e-PTW) Systems?
e-PTW systems provide a centralized, digital workflow that allows permit processes to be configured to require safety checks and validations before issuance. The system captures who approved the work, who is authorized to perform it, and under what conditions. This helps provide a holistic view of all active, pending, and expired permits across the facility.
Beyond the above, the benefits of implementing e-PTW include:
- Real-time monitoring to improve accountability and accurately track workers’ tasks.
- Risk assessment tools that help mitigate hazards and enhance safety.
- Remote access to keep leaders and outside teams informed in real-time.
- Access to data on safety incidents, permit histories, and compliance trends.
The Case for Connecting MES and e-PTW
Integrating your e-PTW system with an MES like TrakSYS transforms permits from reactive paperwork to living safety documents that can adapt to real-time conditions. Here’s why that matters:
- Safer work, fewer accidents
TrakSYS feeds real-time data from machines, sensors, and processes into the permit workflow to ensure that permits are only issued when data shows conditions are safe. - Faster Maintenance with Less Downtime
Scheduling tools in TrakSYS know when downtime windows are available. e-PTW systems can use that information to issue time-specific permits without derailing production. - Confidence in Compliance
e-PTW and MES log everything—who did what, when, and under what conditions. Together, they create a complete audit trail to satisfy internal policies and external regulations. - More Efficient Use of Skills and Resources
When paired with skills management, TrakSYS can verify whether workers are certified before issuing a permit, preventing unqualified personnel from being assigned to high-risk work. - Proactive Safety
With an MES’s ability to track process and equipment anomalies, permits can be triggered before failures occur, turning preventive safety into a competitive edge.
e-PTW + TrakSYS in Action
Picture a conveyor fault on a packaging line. Suppose the organization’s e-PTW system is integrated with TrakSYS. In this case, the MES will detect the fault, trigger permit approval in the e-PTW, automatically validate lockout status, and ensure environmental safety before work begins. Conveyor maintenance can then be performed quickly, safely, and with full traceability.
Now, imagine this organization hasn’t integrated its e-PTW system with TrakSYS. In this scenario, the conveyor fault must be reported manually, and a supervisor must verify the conditions before approving a work permit. This process may take hours, during which production will be stalled.
Now, multiply this by the hundreds of incidents that occur across facilities each year—the value is clear: less downtime, safer work, and more efficient teams.
Conclusion
e-PTW systems bring structure and discipline to high-risk work. MES brings real-time visibility and operational control. When paired together, they deliver a safer workforce, reduced operational risk, and a factory that runs smarter, not harder.
As manufacturing continues to work towards digital transformation, such integrations become more and more helpful in ensuring safe, efficient operations.
To learn more about TrakSYS, what it can do for your e-PTW, and other integration capabilities, contact us today.