Implementation of transaction processing technology in permit-to-work systems

Transaction processing is a software technology that enables concurrent management of large distributed systems. This concept is also meaningful in the control of work processes in chemical plants. In order to protect workers from exposure to hazardous energy sources, permit-to-work systems must be put to effective use, which requires site managers to devote a great deal of time to the reconfirmation of work plans. Although transaction processing can update databases without contradictory reading or writing, the technique is not adequate for controlling substantial operations. In the present study, we represented a framework of secure work control systems and synthesized timing of communications between site managers and workers, thus eliminating discrepancies between stored data in the system and substantial plant conditions. As a result, the concept of transaction processing technology that constructs granulated and isolated data processing enables implementation in permit-to-work systems. A prototype of a computerized system was developed in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the present proposal.