What it means
A permit to work is a formal document, or a formal digital record, that must be issued before certain jobs start. It says who is doing what, where, when, and under which conditions.
It's used for higher-risk work such as hot work, confined space entry, work at height, energized work or excavation. Which jobs need a permit is set by your company, your customer and the rules that apply.
A permit isn't a waiver. It's a checkpoint. Someone with authority confirms the controls are in place, and the crew confirms the same on the ground.
Why it matters
High-risk jobs often mix trades and overlap in time. A permit forces someone to look at the whole picture before work begins. It also marks who approved the job and when it ended.
What it looks like on a site
- The crew requests a permit before the job, and a named issuer reviews the work and the location.
- Required controls are checked on site, such as isolation, gas testing or a fire watch, using your site's own procedure.
- The permit is posted at the work area while the job runs.
- It expires at a set time or when the conditions change, and then it's closed out.
- Closed permits are kept for review.
This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current rule and your own procedures. Back to the glossary