What is a Permit to Work?

A permit to work (PTW) is a formal written system that authorises certain high-risk activities. It ensures that proper safety precautions are in place before work begins and that everyone involved understands the risks and controls.

Unlike a RAMS which describes how to do work safely, a permit is an authorisation document—it confirms that conditions are safe for work to proceed at a specific time and location.

When Are Permits Required?

Permits are typically required for work that:

• Could cause serious injury or death if controls fail
• Requires specific preconditions to be established
• Involves multiple parties or interfaces
• Needs formal handover between normal operations and maintenance

Common Permit Types in Construction

• Hot work permit: Welding, cutting, grinding, brazing, soldering near combustibles
• Confined space entry permit: Tanks, manholes, excavations, ducts
• Electrical isolation permit: Working on or near live equipment
• Excavation permit: Breaking ground, especially near services
• Working at height permit: Sometimes used for unusual height work
• Lifting permit: Complex or critical lifts
• Energised system permit: Working on pressurised systems

Hot Work Permit System

Hot work is a leading cause of construction fires. A hot work permit should verify:

Before Work

• Combustibles removed or protected within 10m radius
• Fire detection in the area (can you disable/notify?)
• Fire extinguisher readily available (CO2 or dry powder)
• Fire watch arranged during and after work
• Escape routes clear
• Adjacent areas/levels checked and protected
• Other trades notified

During Work

• Continuous fire watch maintained
• Work area monitored for smouldering
• Equipment in good condition

After Work

• Fire watch continues for minimum 60 minutes (some sites require longer)
• Area checked for hot spots before leaving
• Permit signed off and returned

Confined Space Entry Permit

Confined space work kills approximately 15 people per year in the UK. Permits must verify:

Assessment

• Is entry actually necessary? Can the work be done from outside?
• All hazards identified (atmosphere, engulfment, entrapment)
• Safe system of work documented (specific RAMS)

Pre-Entry Checks

• Atmosphere tested (oxygen, flammable gas, toxic substances)
• Space isolated from pipework, mechanical equipment, electrical
• Space ventilated if required
• Rescue equipment in place
• Trained rescue team identified and available
• Emergency services notified if required
• Communication system established

During Entry

• Top person stationed at entry point at all times
• Continuous atmospheric monitoring if required
• Time limits observed
• Communication maintained

Electrical Isolation Permit

For work on electrical systems, the permit confirms:

• Circuit identified correctly
• Isolation achieved at identified point
• Isolation locked off with personal lock
• Circuit proved dead at work location
• Earthing applied if required
• Adjacent live equipment identified and barriered
• Authorised person has confirmed safe to work

Essential Elements of Any Permit

Regardless of type, every permit should include:

• Unique permit number for tracking
• Location of work (specific and unambiguous)
• Description of work to be done
• Hazards present
• Precautions required before work starts
• PPE required
• Time limits (start/finish, including extensions)
• Names of permit issuer and recipient
• Signatures accepting conditions
• Handback procedure and sign-off

Roles and Responsibilities

Permit Issuer (Authorised Person)

• Assesses if work can proceed safely
• Verifies preconditions are met
• Issues the permit and explains requirements
• Monitors permit validity
• Receives handback and closes permit

Permit Recipient (Competent Person)

• Accepts responsibility for following permit conditions
• Ensures their team understands requirements
• Works within the permit scope and time
• Hands back the permit when complete or if conditions change

Area Authority

• Controls the work area
• Coordinates multiple permits if needed
• Ensures isolation and reinstatement

Common Permit System Failures

• Permits without substance: Signing off without actually checking conditions
• Open-ended permits: Not enforcing time limits or shift handovers
• Working beyond scope: Doing additional work not covered by permit
• Inadequate handback: Not formally closing permits and reinstating systems
• Permit fatigue: Issuing so many permits they become routine paperwork
• No rescue provision: Particularly for confined space—having a plan on paper but no actual capability

Integrating Permits with RAMS

Permits and RAMS work together:

• RAMS describe the safe method for the work activity
• Permits confirm the preconditions are in place for that work to happen safely
• The permit references the relevant RAMS
• Workers should have access to both documents

When creating RAMS for high-risk activities, include permit requirements in the method statement. Generate activity-specific RAMS with DocGen that reference your permit procedures.