Product Overview

Summary: This Permit to Work System Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, defensible framework for planning, authorising and controlling high‑risk work on Australian worksites. It helps you manage contractors, coordinate multiple trades and maintain WHS compliance by ensuring that no critical work starts without formal risk assessment, approval and verification.

A robust Permit to Work (PTW) system is essential wherever high‑risk activities occur, particularly when multiple contractors and trades operate on the same site. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step‑by‑step approach to requesting, assessing, issuing, executing and closing permits for tasks such as hot work, confined space entry, electrical isolation, working at height and excavation. It clarifies who can authorise work, what checks must be completed before work begins, and how to verify that the work area is safe before permits are closed.

For Australian businesses, a well‑implemented PTW system is a critical control for meeting WHS due diligence obligations and demonstrating effective risk management to regulators, clients and insurers. This SOP helps eliminate ambiguity between host employers and contractors, reduces the likelihood of uncontrolled simultaneous operations, and provides a clear paper (or digital) trail when something goes wrong. By adopting this procedure, organisations can standardise their approach across sites, improve communication between operations and maintenance teams, and significantly reduce the risk of serious incidents arising from unplanned or unauthorised work.

Key Benefits

• Ensure that no high‑risk work commences without formal risk assessment, authorisation and isolation verification.
• Reduce the likelihood of serious incidents caused by conflicting activities, uncontrolled energy sources or inadequate supervision.
• Demonstrate clear WHS due diligence and compliance with Australian legislation, supporting regulatory inspections and audits.
• Standardise the management of contractors and internal teams, improving communication and coordination across the site.
• Create a robust, traceable record of high‑risk work to support incident investigations, insurance claims and continuous improvement.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Project Managers
• Operations Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Facilities Managers
• Construction Managers
• Mining Supervisors
• Manufacturing Plant Managers
• Contractor Coordinators
• HSE Advisors
• Authorised Permit Issuers

Hazards Addressed

• Uncontrolled energisation or release of hazardous energy (electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, thermal)
• Fire and explosion risks from hot work in hazardous or combustible atmospheres
• Asphyxiation, toxic exposure and engulfment hazards during confined space entry
• Falls from height during roof work, scaffolding, EWP use or work near edges and openings
• Struck‑by and crush injuries from mobile plant, cranes and lifting operations
• Service strikes during excavation, including underground gas, electrical, water and communications
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals during maintenance, cleaning or isolation activities
• Simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) conflicts between multiple work groups or contractors
• Inadequate isolation and lockout of equipment prior to maintenance or inspection

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope of the Permit to Work System
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms (Permits, Authorised Persons, SIMOPS, Isolation, etc.)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Permit Requester, Permit Issuer, Permit Holder, Supervisors, WHS)
• 4.0 Types of Permits (Hot Work, Confined Space, Working at Height, Electrical, Excavation, Isolation, Others)
• 5.0 Permit Request and Planning Process
• 6.0 Risk Assessment and Control Measures (including JSA/SWMS integration)
• 7.0 Isolation, Lockout and Tagout Requirements and Verification
• 8.0 Permit Issue, Briefing and Pre‑Start Checks
• 9.0 Coordination of Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS) and Contractor Management
• 10.0 Monitoring, Supervision and Permit Validity Periods
• 11.0 Suspension, Extension and Cancellation of Permits
• 12.0 Permit Closure, Handover and Area Reinstatement
• 13.0 Recordkeeping, Documentation and Audit Requirements
• 14.0 Training, Competency and Authorisation of Permit Issuers and Holders
• 15.0 Incident Management, Non‑Conformance and Continuous Improvement of the PTW System

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Confined Spaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace
• AS/NZS 4024.1: Safety of machinery – General principles
• AS/NZS 4836: Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment
• AS/NZS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use