# Permit to Work (https://dev.tradieforms.com.au/docs/form-guides/building/national/national-permit-to-work) A Permit to Work authorises a defined task at a defined place for a set time. Fill it with the worker before the task starts. Download the issued copy, keep the draft, then reopen it after the work to record the close-out. This is a Tradie Forms designed record, not a government form. Check the client, principal contractor, and site procedure before use. A permit does not replace a SWMS, JSA, isolation procedure, or specialised permit the work still needs. Doing welding, cutting, grinding, brazing, soldering, or open-flame work? Use [Hot Works Permit](https://dev.tradieforms.com.au/docs/form-guides/building/national/national-hot-works-permit) > **Warning** > > Do not issue the permit until the three critical controls are confirmed Yes: the area is assessed, workers are briefed, and the SWMS or JSA is in place. ## Before you start [#before-you-start] - **The exact work area** - Use a practical location such as `Roof plant room` or `Level 2 switch room`, with the site address when useful. - **The authorised task** - A short, specific description of the work covered by this permit. Leave unrelated tasks out. - **The validity window** - The date and time the permit starts and the date and time it expires. - **The task controls** - The SWMS or JSA, isolations, PPE, barriers, emergency arrangements, and any other permit needed. - **The two signatories** - The person issuing the permit and the worker or supervisor accepting the work. ## Permit [#permit] Set the scope and validity before anyone signs. - **Business Logo (Shown top right on the downloaded permit) (Photo, Optional)** - Upload your business logo if you want it on the finished PDF. - **Business Name (Text, Required)** - The business issuing or controlling the permit. - **Permit Number (Text, Optional)** - Your site or business reference, such as `PTW-2026-041`. - **Site or Address (Text, Required)** - Name the exact work area. A full postal address is not required. - **Work Description (Textarea, Required)** - State the task this permit authorises. Keep it narrow enough that the worker can tell when the scope changes. - **Useful** - Replace damaged roof sheeting beside the northern plant platform. - **Too vague** - Roof work - **Valid From Date (Date, Required)** - The day the permit becomes active. - **Valid From Time (Text, Required)** - Use a clear 24-hour time such as `7:00` or `07:00`. - **Valid To Date (Date, Required)** - The permit cannot end before its start date. - **Valid To Time (Text, Required)** - The time the permit expires, such as `15:30`. **Saved detail: Business** - save this section to prefill it on your next permit. ## Controls [#controls] Answer all eight checks. Items 1, 2, and 8 must be **Yes**. Use N/A only on the other controls when they genuinely do not apply. - **Controls Checklist (ChecklistItems, Optional)** - Check the area assessment, worker briefing, isolations, barricades, PPE, emergency arrangements, other permits, and the SWMS or JSA with the worker before issue. ## Hazards [#hazards] Add hazards and controls that are not already clear from the checklist. Long lists continue onto extra PDF pages. - **Hazards and Additional Controls (TableRows, Optional)** - Each row needs both the hazard and the matching control. Write what can cause harm, then the action that reduces that risk. ## Authorisation [#authorisation] Both signatures are required on the issued copy. - **Issued By Name (Text, Required)** - The person authorised to issue the permit for the site or business. - **Issued By Date (Date, Required)** - The date the permit is issued. The issuer can use a saved signature. - **Issued By Signature (Signature, Required)** - Sign after checking the scope, validity, and controls with the worker. - **Accepted By Name (Text, Required)** - The person doing or supervising the authorised work. - **Accepted By Date (Date, Required)** - The date the worker accepts the permit. - **Accepted By Signature (Signature, Required)** - Capture this signature on the spot. It does not prefill from the issuer's saved signature. ## Close-out [#closeOut] Leave this section empty on the issued copy. After the work, reopen the saved draft and complete the close-out. - **Close-out Status (RadioGroup, Optional)** - Choose **Work complete, area left safe** or **Permit cancelled**. Once selected, the close-out name, date, and signature become required. - **Close-out Name (Text, Optional)** - The person checking and closing or cancelling the permit. - **Close-out Date (Date, Optional)** - The day the permit ended. - **Close-out Time (Text, Optional)** - The time the permit ended. This stays useful even though only the name, date, and signature are conditionally required. - **Close-out Signature (Signature, Optional)** - Required once a close-out status is selected. ## Common mistakes [#common-mistakes] - **Writing a broad scope.** - `General maintenance` does not define the authorised task. Name the equipment, work, and area. - **Using N/A on a critical control.** - The area assessment, worker briefing, and SWMS or JSA must all be confirmed Yes. - **Treating the permit as the risk assessment.** - Keep the SWMS or JSA and any isolation or specialised permit with the job. - **Never returning for close-out.** - Keep the draft open until the work area is checked and the final permit is downloaded. ## Before download [#before-download] - The task, location, and validity window are specific and correct - All eight controls are answered and the three critical controls are Yes - Every added hazard has a matching control - The issuer and worker names, dates, and signatures are complete - The first download leaves Close-out empty ## After download [#after-download] Give the issued copy to the worker or supervisor and keep it with the job. When the work ends, reopen the draft, add the close-out, download the final PDF, and keep both copies together. ## Related guides [#related-guides] - **[Hot Works Permit](https://dev.tradieforms.com.au/docs/form-guides/building/national/national-hot-works-permit)** - Add fire controls and the fire watch lifecycle for welding, cutting, grinding, brazing, or open flame. - **[Job Safety Analysis](https://dev.tradieforms.com.au/docs/form-guides/building/national/national-jsa)** - Record job steps, hazards, risk ratings, and controls before the task starts.