The general rule
HSE explains that instructions or procedures are adequate for most work activities, but some require extra care. Permits are for those jobs.
HSE's guidance on permit-to-work systems (HSG250) says permits are normally most appropriate for:
- non-production work such as maintenance, repair, inspection, testing, modification and cleaning
- non-routine operations
- jobs where two or more people or groups need to coordinate to complete the work safely
- jobs where work and responsibility pass from one group to another
The law does not always name a permit, but it does require safe systems of work, proper planning and, for some activities, specific precautions such as rescue arrangements. For the highest-risk jobs a permit is often the clearest way to show those things are in place. Clients and principal contractors may also make permits a site rule, in which case you must follow it.
Jobs that commonly need a permit
Hot work
Welding, flame cutting, grinding and other work that produces heat or sparks. HSE's fire safety in construction guidance (HSG168) says hot work should be designed out where practicable and replaced with cold methods. Where you cannot avoid it, it says to use formal systems of management such as a permit-to-work system, and recommends a fire watch of at least an hour after the work ends, with a further check at two hours.
Confined spaces
Tanks, chambers, sewers, pits, ducts and similar spaces. Under the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997, you must avoid entry if the work can reasonably be done another way, use a safe system of work if entry is needed, and have suitable rescue arrangements in place before anyone goes in. HSE's Approved Code of Practice (L101) says a permit-to-work system is usually required where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of serious injury in entering or working in the space.
Electrical work
HSE's guidance on electrical safe working (HSG85) says that on high-voltage systems a permit-to-work should be issued once the equipment has been made dead and safe. HSG85 notes it is not common practice to issue permits for low-voltage work, though your employer or client may still require a permit or similar safety document for dead working.
A permit is never a way to authorise live work. HSG85 says you must never issue an electrical permit for equipment that is still live. Live work is only allowed where all three conditions in the Electricity at Work Regulations are met.
Digging near underground services
HSE's guidance on avoiding underground services (HSG47) sets out three basics: plan the work, locate and mark the services, and use safe digging practices. It notes that a permit-to-work system may help manage this, and describes written authorisation by a responsible person identifying the work and the precautions. On site this is usually called a permit to dig. See our guide on safe digging practices.
Work at height, roofs and fragile surfaces
HSG250 includes work at height in its list of jobs where additional permits should be considered. A roof access permit is one way for a building owner or principal contractor to control who goes onto a roof, make sure fragile surfaces have been identified, and confirm that edge protection or other fall prevention is in place.
Lifting operations
Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), every lifting operation must be properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out safely. Most lifts are controlled by a lift plan. For more complex or higher-risk lifts, a lifting permit is one way to check on the day that the plan is still valid.
Line breaking, pressure systems and pressure testing
HSG250 lists work that involves breaking containment of a flammable, toxic or other dangerous substance or a pressure system, and pressure testing, among the jobs where permits should be considered. These jobs depend on safe isolation, which the permit should specify.
Machinery and multi-energy isolation
Maintenance, repair and cleaning are among the non-production jobs HSG250 says permits suit best, and its permit content includes specifying safe isolation. Machinery with several energy sources (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic or stored mechanical energy) needs every source isolated before anyone reaches in, which is where a machinery or multi-energy isolation permit helps.
Asbestos and hazardous substances
HSG250 includes work involving hazardous substances in its list. Where work could disturb the building fabric, a permit or formal pre-start check is a sensible way to confirm that the asbestos survey or register has been checked before anyone drills, cuts or strips out.
Temporary works
Formwork, falsework, propping and excavation support must be properly managed. HSE's temporary works FAQs note that the British Standard BS 5975 sets out one way of doing this, but there is no legal requirement to use its process. Coordination includes authorising temporary works to be loaded and removed. A permit to load and a permit to strike are one way to record those authorisations.
Other high-risk work
HSG250 also lists work affecting escape, evacuation or rescue systems, work with radioactive materials or explosives, diving and work near water, temporary equipment such as generators and welding sets, and any operation needing extra precautions or PPE.
When a permit is not the right tool
Permits lose their value if they are used for everything. HSG250 says permit systems should not be applied to all activities, as this can weaken their effectiveness. It says permits are not normally needed for routine maintenance in non-hazardous areas or for general site visitors.
Some examples from HSE guidance:
- Confined spaces: L101 says a permit is unlikely to be needed where the risks are easily controlled, the system of work is very simple, and other activities cannot affect safe working in the space. A competent person should make that call after the risk assessment.
- Hot work: HSG168 says a fully documented permit system may not be needed where the risks from hot work are low, such as in a designated hot work area, though fire precautions still apply.
For routine, low-risk work, good site-specific RAMS, a briefing and proper supervision are the right controls. Save permits for the jobs that really need them.
Quick decision questions
If you answer yes to any of these, talk to a competent person about whether a permit is needed:
- Could a mistake cause serious injury or death?
- Is the job non-routine, or outside normal production?
- Does it need plant, pipework or electrical equipment to be isolated?
- Will it produce heat, sparks or flames?
- Does it involve entering a confined space or breaking ground?
- Do two or more teams need to coordinate, or will the work pass between shifts?
- Does the client or principal contractor require a permit for this activity?
How AutoRAMS helps
AutoRAMS V2 includes permit templates, called permit families, for the activities above and many more. The Construction and Manufacturing packs share 28 families, including general and cold work, hot work, confined-space entry, permit to dig, drilling and coring, LV dead work, HV permit for work, sanction to test, machinery and multi-energy isolation, line breaking, pressure testing, work at height, roof access, lifting, asbestos, and fire-system impairment.
The Construction pack adds 24 more, such as excavation entry, piling and working platforms, temporary works permit to load and to strike, concrete pour release, demolition, MEWP and rope access. The Manufacturing pack adds 28 more, such as machine-guard removal, jam clearing, robot-cell entry, furnace and kiln work, combustible dust, CIP/SIP and production restart.
Templates help you get the right content on the permit. They do not decide whether a permit is needed. That decision rests with your competent people.
Please note: AutoRAMS is a tool for creating and recording permits. Your company and its competent people stay responsible for deciding when a permit is needed, for making and removing isolations, and for the work itself. Closing a permit in AutoRAMS is never the same as releasing an isolation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for every confined space entry?
Not always. HSE's L101 says a permit is usually required where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of serious injury, but may not be needed where risks are easily controlled and the system of work is very simple. A competent person should decide after the risk assessment.
Do I need a hot work permit for welding?
Where hot work cannot be avoided, HSE's HSG168 says to use formal systems such as a permit-to-work. It notes a full permit may not be needed where risks are low, such as in a designated hot work area.
Is a permit to dig a legal requirement?
The law does not name a permit to dig, but HSE's HSG47 says a permit-to-work system may help manage excavation near services. Clients and principal contractors may require one as a site rule.
Can a permit be used to authorise live electrical work?
No. HSE's HSG85 says you must never issue an electrical permit for equipment that is still live or to authorise live work.
Should routine jobs have permits?
Usually not. HSE's HSG250 says permits should not be applied to all activities and are not normally needed for routine maintenance in non-hazardous areas. RAMS, briefings and supervision are the right controls there.