A permit to work is a formal, written authorisation that allows a specific piece of high-risk work to start only after the necessary checks have been made and the conditions for doing it safely have been agreed. It is not the same as general permission to be on site, and it is not a substitute for a risk assessment or method statement. It is an extra control that makes sure the right people have confirmed that the right precautions are in place before the work begins, and again when it ends.
Key takeaways
- A permit to work is a formal authorisation for a defined task, in a defined place, for a defined period, with defined conditions.
- In general practice, permits are used for higher-risk activities where a mistake could have serious consequences, such as hot work, entry into confined spaces or work on or near energised or isolated services.
- A permit does not make the work safe by itself, because the controls must actually be in place and checked before anyone starts.
- A proper permit system covers authorisation, checks, conditions, handover between shifts or people, and a close-out when work is finished.
- If the conditions change, or the work moves outside what the permit describes, stop and have the permit reviewed or reissued.
What a permit to work system does
A permit to work system is a way of controlling work that cannot be adequately managed by general site rules alone. It brings three things together: a person with authority to say yes, a person who will carry out the work, and a written record of what has been checked and agreed.
The idea is simple. Before the work begins, someone responsible confirms that the hazards have been identified, the isolations and precautions are in place, and the people doing the job understand what they must and must not do. While the work is going on, the permit sets the boundaries. When the work finishes, the permit is closed and the area is handed back in a safe condition.
This matters on construction sites because several trades can work close together, and a task done by one team can create a hazard for another. For example, hot work in one area can start a fire in a place where other people are working, and an isolation made by one person can be undone by someone who does not know about it. A permit gives everyone a single point of reference about what is allowed, where and when.
HSE's guidance on health and safety in construction (HSG150) and its construction safety topics pages are the places to read the full detail on specific activities. This article explains the general principles. It does not replace the requirements of your employer, the principal contractor or the law.
When permits are normally used
The need for a permit comes from the risk of the task and from the rules set by the site. In general practice, common examples include the following (these are not a list taken from HSE guidance):
- Hot work, such as welding, cutting or grinding, where sparks and heat can start fires.
- Entry into confined spaces, where there may be a lack of oxygen, fumes or other dangers.
- Work on or near services that must be isolated, such as electricity, gas, or pressurised systems.
- Some excavation work close to buried services.
- Certain types of work at height, such as roof work, where site rules require additional control.
Which tasks need a permit on your site is a decision for the employer and the principal contractor, informed by the risk assessment and by the law. Do not assume. If you are asked to start work that you think needs a permit and nobody has mentioned one, ask.
The life of a permit
Most permit systems follow the same pattern, even if the paperwork is different from site to site.
Request and planning
The person or team who will do the work identifies what is needed and requests a permit. The task, the exact location, the people involved and the equipment are described, and the risk assessment and method statement are referred to. Our guide to method statements explains how that paperwork fits in.
Checks before work starts
An authorised person looks at the work area and confirms the precautions. These could include isolations and locks, gas testing, fire precautions, barriers, rescue arrangements, communication methods and emergency procedures. The check is practical: the person looks at the real conditions, not just the form.
Issue and conditions
The permit is issued only when the checks are satisfied. It states what is allowed, where, who may do it, and for how long. It also lists any special conditions, such as extra protective equipment, required supervision or limits on other work in the area. The people doing the work sign to confirm they have understood and will keep to the conditions.
Work in progress
The work must stay within the permit. If the task, the area, the people or the conditions change, the permit no longer matches reality. The right response is to stop and have the permit reviewed, not to continue because it seemed close enough. Permits are normally time-limited, so check what applies on your site, and display or carry the permit as required.
Handover
If work spans shifts, or one team hands over to another, the handover should be clear and recorded. Do not rely on a quick word. The incoming team should understand what has been done, what is still isolated and any hazards that remain.
Completion and close-out
When the work finishes, the person in charge confirms that the area has been left safe and that equipment, tools and temporary controls have been dealt with. The permit is then signed off and cancelled. Isolations are removed only through the proper process, and nobody should assume a system is safe or live without checking the record. Some tasks need follow-up checks after the work, for example monitoring after hot work, and the permit will say if that applies.
Common problems with permit systems
Permit systems tend to go wrong in familiar ways, so it helps to know what to look for.
| Problem | What it looks like | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Permit treated as paperwork | Signed without checking the work area | Check the real conditions before signing and before starting |
| Permit too general | Covers a vague area or a long period | Ask for the task, place and conditions to be specific |
| Work outside the permit | Task or area changes but the permit is not updated | Stop and ask for the permit to be reviewed or reissued |
| Poor handover | Next shift does not know what is isolated | Insist on a clear, recorded handover |
| Permit not closed | Old permits left open | Return and cancel permits when work finishes |
| Conflicts between permits | Two teams in the same area with incompatible work | Raise it with the person who issues permits before work starts |
What you should do as a worker
- [ ] Ask whether the task needs a permit if you are not sure.
- [ ] Read the permit and make sure you understand the conditions.
- [ ] Check that the precautions on the permit are actually in place.
- [ ] Keep within the task, place and time the permit allows.
- [ ] Stop if conditions change, and report the change.
- [ ] Return the permit and make the area safe when the work is finished.
Practice check
These two questions are original and written for this site. They are not official CITB questions and not an official result.
Question 1. What does a permit to work do?
- A. It gives permission to enter the site.
- B. It formally authorises a specific high-risk task once the required checks and conditions are in place.
- C. It replaces the need for any other safety planning.
- D. It lets anyone on site carry out any task in the area.
Answer: B. A permit is a controlled authorisation for a defined task, place and period, with checks and conditions. It works alongside risk assessments and method statements.
Question 2. You are working under a permit when the task changes, and you need to work in a different area. What is the correct action?
- A. Carry on, because the permit is already signed.
- B. Move the permit to the new area and tell nobody.
- C. Stop and have the permit reviewed or reissued to cover the new work.
- D. Ask a colleague to sign it again without checking the area.
Answer: C. A permit only covers the task and place it describes. A change means the checks have to be repeated.
For more practice, see our free practice questions and the operatives test format page. This site is independent and not affiliated with CSCS or CITB.
FAQ
What is a permit to work?
A permit to work is a written authorisation that allows a specific high-risk task to start once the necessary precautions have been checked and agreed. It sets out the task, the location, the conditions and the people involved. It is closed when the work is finished and the area is safe.
Is a permit to work the same as a method statement?
No. A method statement explains how a task will be done step by step, while a permit to work authorises the task to begin after specific checks have been made. On higher-risk jobs you may need both. The excavation safety guide is an example of an area where permits can be part of the overall controls.
Who can issue a permit to work?
Only a person who has been authorised and is competent for that type of work. Who that is depends on the employer, the principal contractor and the site rules. If you are not sure who can issue permits on your site, ask your supervisor.
What happens if a permit is not followed?
If the work goes beyond what the permit allows, the controls it relied on may not be in place, and people can be put at serious risk. Stop the work, make the area safe and report it to your supervisor. Employers and contractors can also face legal consequences if they fail to control the risks, so check the relevant HSE guidance.
Sources
Independent guide, not affiliated with, authorised by, approved by or endorsed by CSCS or CITB. Last updated 2026-10-08.