What is Walk the Job?
Walk the Job helps improve process and personal safety through communication and proper equipment preparation. Walk the Job consists of six steps that address:
- Real-time, two-way communication
- Defining the scope and hold points
- Using the right tools
- Verifying energy isolation on the right equipment
- Verify completion and close the permit
- Making the expectation clear: No Walk, No Work
The concept of joint job walks, or joint job site visits, is not new to the industry. This process is applied when your company or organization requires a joint job walk. When you follow the process consistently, you can prevent unintended consequences such as injuries or process releases. It is important that WE get this right, every time.
Six Steps to Walk the Job
Each document provides a definition of what the step means, what good looks like, examples, why it’s important, helpful tips and an overall summary.
Disclaimer: These documents are meant to share a process that can help improve process and personal safety through a six-step approach called “Walk the Job”. It discusses the concept of joint job walks, or joint job site visits, which is not new to the refining and petrochemical industry. These documents are meant to share information on good practices to help improve personal and process safety performance and awareness throughout the industry. These documents are not meant to replace any company or site procedure or requirements.
BY THEMSELVES, THESE DOCUMENTS ARE NOT STANDARDS OR RECOMMENDED PRACTICES. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE SOUND ENGINEERING JUDGMENT. THEY DO NOT PRECLUDE THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE METHODS THAT COMPLY WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT SHOULD BE CONSULTED PRIOR TO DETERMINING WHETHER A DOCUMENT CAN BE USED IN ANY SPECIFIC SITUATION.
Walk the Job Resources
Introduction to Walk the Job
Walk the Job Step 1 – Define the Work
- Walk the Job Step 1 – Define the Work
- Define the work include clearly describing what work should be done, why and where as well as reviewing authorized work scope, documenting tools, materials, and PPE needed to complete the work.
- Key question: “Does everyone understand the scope, boundaries, and purpose of this work?”
Walk the Job Step 2 – Permit Issuer Prepares Equipment
- Walk the Job Step 2 – Permit Issuer Prepares Equipment
- The Permit Issuer is responsible for ensuring the equipment is properly isolated and prepared, verifying the isolation, and confirming a zero-energy state with the Permit Receiver to ensure the equipment is safe.
- Key question: “Is the equipment in a safe state to hand over?”
Walk the Job Step 3 - Permit Issuer and Permit Receiver Confirms
- Walk the Job Step 3 - Permit Issuer and Permit Receiver Confirms
- The Permit Issuer (typically the equipment owner) and Permit Receiver should visually confirm that all permit conditions have been met before work commences. This includes a joint job site visit to verify the implementation of all required safety measures, energy isolations, decontamination procedures, and environmental controls.
- Key question: “Am I confident this job can start safely and correctly?”
Walk the Job Step 4 – Work Safely
- Walk the Job Step 4 – Work Safely
- Working safely means performing your job in a way that protects your health and well-being, as well as that of your coworkers, the environment, and company assets. It involves following established safety procedures, recognizing hazards, and taking proactive measures to prevent accidents, injuries, and/or damage.
- Key question: “Are we controlling every hazard as planned?”
Walk the Job Steps 5 and 6: Verify Work Completion and Permit Closure
- Walk the Job Step 1 – Define the Work
- Effective communication and mutual confirmation between the permit issuer and receiver to verify that all tasks outlined in the work scope have been completed. This includes ensuring the work area and equipment are in a safe and stable condition, and that all required documentation has been accurately filled out and finalized
- Key question:Key Question: “Is the job complete, safe, and documented for return to service?”
Walk the Job Introduction Presentation for Companies
- Walk the Job Introduction Presentation for Companies — Introduction to walk the job including data analysis and resources. This is a downloadable and customizable presentation for companies/sites to use to introduce WTJ at their sites.