This approved permit system uses a total of 8 permits for controlling activities which involve some form of hazardous activity. In addition there is a controlling permit which is the first permit issued to contractors brought onto site to complete any type of task, the permit allows entry onto site in a controlled manner to maintain the normal level of safety imposed on employees. It does not and does not relate to specific hazardous activities and should not be the sole means of controlling those types of activity.

General Permit to Work

Any Contractor working on site must receive one of these permits before commencing work.

Hot Work Permit

Any operation that produces heat or sparks and includes welding, cutting, brazing, grinding or any use of a naked flame is controlled using the Hot Work Permit. Hot work is one of the top causes of loss in commercial property. In theory all hot work losses can be avoided, but in practice this is difficult to achieve. What is essential to achieve is that persons responsible for managing hot work are both trained in hot work and its associated dangers and are trained in how to issue and effectively enforce/police hot work permits.

NOTE: Hot Work Permits Should Not be issued for work in areas where fire protection systems have been taken out of service, this includes both sprinkler protection and fire detection systems.

Entry Into Confined Space

Any activity that involves entry into a confined space of any type requires a confined space permit. The UK Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 defines a confined space as "any place including any chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well or other similar space in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable specified risk".

A confined space permit should also be used for process equipment, service ducts and drains, below ground rooms/ basement with no ventilation and roof voids or any other space where there is limited means of escape.

Remote Working or Working at Height

Under current HSE guidelines working at height is defined as working above 2m, exposed to an open edge or when working from a ladder or on any scaffolding when working alone.

Working with Hazardous Materials/Substances

Working with hazardous materials may require special precautions to be taken including handling and personal protective clothing (PPE). Awareness of the type of materials being handled and the dangers associated with them may not be immediately apparent to the contractor and needs careful management.

Electrical Permit to Work

Working on electrical equipment, which can include live electrics requires special pre-cautions to be taken and as a pre-requisite only those persons carrying current qualifications for working on electrical installations and equipment should be authorised to work on the equipment.

Work Which Poses a Risk of Environmental Pollution

Any activity that can generate conditions which could result in some type of pollution to the environment needs to be carefully controlled. These can include controlling gas emissions (ammonia for example) or liquid dispersions. Special preventative measures need to be taken to ensure that if there is a release that it can be safely and effectively contained without contaminating the environment.

Plant Isolations

Specifically applies to conditions other than where an electrical permit to work would be needed. Management of plant isolations through the lock out tag out process can be supplemented where needed using this permit to work.

Excavation

There are considerable risks to a number of services including utilities through un-planned excavation. Any excavation work should be subject to full consultation, risk assessment which specifically consider the risk of disturbing underground electrical cables, drains, water mains, and gas mains. The area to be excavated must be thoroughly surveyed; the relevant service authorities consulted, and service plans and drawings examined to check for the presence of any underground services.