A permit to work is a formal, documented system that authorises specific people to carry out specific high-risk work under controlled conditions. It is not just a form to fill in. It is a management system that ensures all necessary precautions are in place before dangerous work begins, that everyone involved understands the risks, and that the work area is made safe when the task is complete.
Permits to work are required for high-risk activities where the normal risk assessment and method statement process is not sufficient on its own. The most common types include hot work permits (welding, cutting, grinding near combustibles), confined space permits, electrical isolation permits, excavation permits, working at height permits (in specific high-risk scenarios), and permits for breaking into live systems.
A permit-to-work system typically involves four stages: preparation (the issuer checks that all precautions are in place), issue (the permit is formally issued to the person doing the work), monitoring (the work is carried out under the permit conditions, with checks at specified intervals), and handback (the worker confirms the work is complete, the area is safe, and the permit is formally closed).
The permit must specify who is authorised to do the work, the exact location, the time period, the hazards present, the precautions required, the emergency procedures, and the conditions for handback. It should be displayed at the work location and signed by both the issuer and the recipient. Permits should never be reused or left open indefinitely.
Managing permits with paper forms leads to lost documents, unclear records, and permits that are accidentally left open. Site Manager AI helps you create, issue, track, and close permits digitally, with automatic expiry alerts, a clear audit trail, and instant access to all active permits on your site.