Safe Work Permits Communicate Critical

Information
A safe work permit (also known as a “permit to work”) is a document that includes a
description of the work to be performed, the hazards involved, the precautions to take, the
required authorizations, and other elements. It is a written record authorizing a specific work
at a specific location, and for a specific time.
It’s important to note that a safe work permit does not reduce risks of incidents by itself.
Rather, it specifies the hazards and the risk control measures that workers must be aware of,
before they start work. A safe work permit is an effective vehicle for communicating critical
safety information.

4 Types of Safe Work Permits

A Workplace Health and Safety Bulletin by the Ministry of Labour of the Canadian province
of Alberta makes the following good point: The range of activities and locations makes it
impossible for a single type of permit to be suitable for all situations. The type of safe work
permit required will be determined by the nature of the work and the hazards involved. The
Bulletin identifies the following four most commonly used types:

1. Hot Work Permit

Hot work permits are used when heat or sparks are generated by work such as welding,
burning, cutting, drilling, and where work involves the use of pneumatic hammers and
chippers, non-explosion proof electrical equipment (lights, tools, heaters), and internal
combustion engines. Three types of hazardous situations need to be considered when
performing hot work:

o The presence of flammable materials in the equipment.

o The presence of combustible materials that burn or give off flammable vapors when
heated.

o The presence of flammable gas in the atmosphere, or gas entering from an adjacent
area, such as sewers that have not been properly protected.
2. Cold Work Permit
Cold work permits are used in hazardous maintenance work that does not involve “hot work”.
Cold work permits are issued when there is no reasonable source of ignition, and when all
contact with harmful substances has been eliminated or appropriate precautions taken.

3. Confined Space Entry Permit

Confined space entry permits are used when entering any confined space such as a tank,
vessel, tower, pit or sewer. The permit should be used in conjunction with a that describes
procedures to follow.

4. Special Permits
Some employers use special permits to cover specific hazards such as:

o Extremely hazardous conditions

o Radioactive materials

o Dangerous chemicals

o Excavations

o Power supplies

Each type of permit provides a checklist for preparing equipment, informs workers about
hazards, lists or describes the precautions to take, and describes the personal protective
equipment to use. The Bulletin includes samples of safe work permits that you may find
useful.