Permit to work software templates

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Free to use – Permit to work software templates

We’ve created some free templates typically used for hot work and working at heights permits. Please download and use as required.

Hot Work

Hot work is one of the critical activities where permits are used. We’ve created a downloadable pdf with an example of a template which we use in our Permit to work system – please feel free to download and use as required and please get in touch if you’d like to find out more about how the Pisys Permit to work system can help streamline the control of work in your organisation.

Flammable vapours and/or liquids e.g. diesel, petrol, paints, solvents, fuel oil, paints are found in many worksites. Work activities such as welding or cutting in close proximity to flammable material can cause fire or explosion.

Welding and cutting can also generate harmful gases and fumes, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone. Exposure to these gases can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation, and other health issues.

Tanks or drums can be particularly dangerous as they often appear empty but still contain sufficient flammable reside to cause an explosion when heated causing the production of flammable vapour.

A properly configured permit to work system will flag additional questions and stages to be completed prior to commencement of hot work – this will at a minimum include a risk assessment to identify any risks associated with the activity as well as any mitigating actions which are required to reduce any identified risks.

Once all required permit questions have been completed satisfactorily work can commence. If the permit system has an affective means of displaying permits on a location map this can be helpful in identifying any additional hazards due to SIMOPS where other activities nearby could interfere with the planned work or cause additional unforeseen risks

Typical questions may include:

  • Are personnel trained in the use of fire extinguishers?
  • Have flammable liquids/ materials been removed from the area?
  • Have gas cylinders been properly secured and inspected?
  • Have relevant drains, sewers, vents been protected from sources of ignition?
  • Has an atmosphere test for flammables proved to be satisfactory?
  • Is continuous Gas monitoring required ?
  • Confirm that the PGD has been calibrated?
  • Does the task require a standby person to keep a fire watch?
  • Does the task require a member of management to be in attendance ?
  • Are you aware a mandatory 1 hr fire watch is required after the work is completed?
  • Check the equipment before use.
  • Are at least two fire extinguishers available?
  • Have for fire blankets/ shielding being provided and in place ?
  • Is there an operational water hose available?
To be most useful a location map will allow identification of permits at different levels within the worksite, since for example welding may be taking place directly above an area being painted  – the ability to visualise these activities helps management to gain a rich picture of planned works.  A standard permit board may not be able to display this information in the most useful way.

 

Working at Height

Working at height is one of the key areas where a permit is required. We’ve included a free to download example of a typical working at height permit template used by many of our Permit to work customers.

Please get in touch if you would like to learn more about our cloud-based Electronic permit to work system.

We all accept that working at height carries risk and should always be avoided where an alternative is available ( for example performing the task from the ground) However where this is not possible it’s important that all work at height complies with the 2005 work at height regulations – in summary this means:

  • All those performing work at height must be competent
  • Work at height must be planned and organised properly – e.g. ensuring that workers can get safely to and from their work area, ensuring that the appropriate permits are in place
  • Where work will take place near fragile surfaces the risks must be carefully managed
  • A full risk assessment must be undertaken, and suitable equipment must be used. For example the risk of falls can be mitigated by minimising the distance and impact of a fall and use of fall arresters.
  • Equipment used must be properly and regularly inspected and maintained

The use of an effective permit to work system will help to ensure that work at height is planned and managed to minimise risk, and will also help to optimise the management of tasks – for example by giving an overview of other activity planned in the same area which could affect the execution of proposed tasks. It will also help to ensure that appropriate accountability is enforced by the use of sign-off on issue/handback.

The UK HSE has an excellent resource on working at height.

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