E-Permitting Workflow Options: Overview
The system allows designing of individual, permit-specific workflows that include one or more of the following stages:
Application: All information on the required permit(s) is completed by the Applicant. The system is designed to allow Contractors to raise and apply for their permits without initial input from the permit issuer. The permit issuer can, however, assist in completing the permit at the application stage and can even be given a separate form to complete at this stage. This allows the creation of workflows that keep the completion of hazard information (contractor) and the resulting conditions of the permit (Permit Issuer) separate.
Approval: The Permit Issuer reviews the submitted application and has the option to approve or reject a permit application. Rejected Permit applications will have to be re-submitted; rejected permits can be either “Suspended” or “Archived”. Suspended permits will remain in the main permits list and can later be archived. Archived permits are moved to the “Archived” section, from which they can be recovered at a later stage. Suspended permits will remain “suspended”, even after they have been archived or recovered.
Signature: The Signature Stage allows contractors to sign on to the approved permits. At this stage, a sign-on (Requestor Acceptance) form can be presented. Any employees who have been added to the permit are automatically required to sign on to the permit.
Post Approval: Forms included in the “Post Approval” stage can be filled while the work that is governed by the permit is in progress. This allows completing parts of the permit that may be required while work is being carried out or before the permit is closed, such as atmospheric testing or fire watch.
Close Out: At this stage the work is completed, and the permit can be closed. Typically, contractors initiate the permit close-out, which is then completed by the permit issuer.
The available stages can be used to complete one or more specific forms that are required in the permitting workflow. If a stage is not required it can easily be omitted my simply not allocating a form.
It is possible to specify the role in the system that is able to complete a specific form. This can be used to allow permit requestor (contractor) and permit acceptor) complete different forms at the same stage (i.e. the Application Stage, where it may be desired to capture both the applicant’s information about hazards and the issuer’s specified controls.