Skip to main content
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 petrochemical site (450 employees, 200 contractors) manages 120 active permits per day through Q-Hub. 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. Q-Hub tracks permit status in real-time — the control room dashboard shows all active permits by area, type, and expiry time.

How to Manage Permit to Work with Q-Hub

Q-Hub provides comprehensive tools for Permit to Work management. The Permit To Work module handles the core requirements, integrated with document control, audit scheduling, training management, and KPI dashboards to ensure your Permit to Work processes are audit-ready at all times.

Related Terms

Want to see how Q-Hub handles Permit to Work in practice? Book a demo or see pricing.

Related QHSE Terms

  • AS9100 — The aerospace quality management standard, based on ISO 9001 with additional requirements for aviati
  • Audit — A systematic, independent examination of processes, products, or systems to verify compliance with d
  • Bow-Tie Analysis — A visual risk assessment method that maps the causes of an event, the event itself, its consequences
  • CAPA — Corrective and Preventive Action — a systematic approach to investigating root causes of non-conform
  • COSHH — Control of Substances Hazardous to Health — UK regulations requiring employers to control exposure t
PPE Back to Glossary RIDDOR