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QHSE Glossary

Permit to Work

A formal written system to control high-risk activities such as hot work, confined space entry, and working at height.

Permit to Work

Permit to Work (Formal Safety Authorisation System) is a critical concept in quality, health, safety, and environmental management.

What Is Permit to Work?

A permit to work (PTW) is a formal documented procedure used to control work identified as potentially hazardous. It authorises specified work to be carried out during a specified time frame, ensures safety measures are in place, and provides a clear record of the work activity. Permits typically cover: hot work, confined space entry, electrical isolation (LOTO), working at height, excavation, breaking into live systems, and work on pressurised equipment. The permit system requires: a competent issuer (who understands the hazards), a competent performer (who carries out the work), a clear description of work scope and duration, identified hazards and controls, isolation verification, gas testing results (where applicable), and formal handback/close-out.

Permit to Work Requirements Under UK Law

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 provides the overarching legal framework. Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 require safe systems of work including permits. The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) require permit controls for hot work in hazardous areas. Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 require method statements for high-risk activities. HSE Approved Code of Practice L101 (Safe work in confined spaces) specifies permit requirements. Process Safety Leadership Group guidance recommends PTW for all major hazard sites. HSE reports that 60% of maintenance-related fatalities involved inadequate permit controls.

Key Components of Permit to Work

  • Hot work permit
  • Confined space entry permit
  • Electrical isolation permit
  • Working at height permit
  • Excavation permit
  • Cold work permit
  • Radiography permit
  • Diving permit

Permit to Work in Practice

A worked example. On a large process site running well over a hundred active permits a day, a contractor needs to weld a pipe repair in a process area. The permit workflow: contractor submits request → area authority reviews hazards → gas test required (LEL <1%, O₂ 19.5-23.5%) → fire watch assigned → isolations confirmed and locked off → permit issued with 8-hour validity → work proceeds with continuous gas monitoring → work complete → area inspected → permit closed and signed off.

How Q-Hub supports permit to work record-keeping

Q-Hub supports the record-keeping around permit to work: document control for the procedures and permits themselves, with version history and review and approval tracking; audit scheduling to check the process is being followed; and training records to evidence competence. The permit to work process itself stays with your own permit system.

Related Terms

Q-Hub software for Permit to Work

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