Permit to work poster

A permit to work is a written system for controlling non-routine, high-risk work, such as hot work, confined space entry or breaking into a line. It records what the job is, the hazards, the isolations and precautions, who issues the permit and who does the work, and it is handed back and cancelled when the job is done. This poster sets out the cycle in eight steps based on HSE guidance HSG250, with the jobs that usually need a permit and blanks for your own permit issuers.

Download the poster

The PNG is free to download now. The print-ready vector PDFs open after a short form, once.

Download PNG (300 dpi)2550 x 3300 px, prints at 8.5 x 11 in · 479 KB · no form

Free to print and share with your team. Enter your name and work email once to download.

The words on the poster

Permit to work

Non-routine, high-risk work starts with a permit and ends with a hand back.

Request Say what the job is, where, when and who will do it.
Assess Find the hazards. Decide the isolations and precautions.
Isolate and prove Lock out, blank lines, test the air. Prove it is safe.
Issue Issuer and person in charge sign. Time limits on it.
Brief Everyone on the job reads it and signs on.
Work to the permit Only that job. Conditions change? Stop and re-assess.
Hand back Job done, area safe, tools out. Everyone signs off.
Cancel and restore Issuer checks, removes isolations, returns the plant.

Usually needs a permit

Hot work
Confined space entry
Work on electrical systems
Breaking into pipes and vessels
Non-routine work at height
Digging and excavation

Permits issued by: ____
Permit board is at: ____

Based on HSE HSG250, Guidance on permit-to-work systems.

On the floor

How to use it

Putting the Permit to work poster to work

1
Post it at the permit board or control room where permits are issued and handed back.
2
Use it to brief contractors before their first job on site.
3
Walk one live permit through the eight steps in a toolbox talk.
4
Fill in who issues permits on each shift before you put it up.

Where the poster goes and how to teach with it, in the order to try them.

Which size to print

24 x 36 in or A2: a main wall or team board, read from a few metres away.
18 x 24 in or A3: a station or notice board. The A3 file also fits 11 x 17 in paper.
Letter or A4: a clipboard, binder or handout, on any office printer.

Every PDF is vector, so it stays sharp at full size. Nothing runs to the edge of the page, so no bleed is needed.