Working at Heights Permit

Use this permit any time a task will be performed above the applicable height threshold or where a fall hazard exists, even if the job is short. It is meant for planned elevated work such as roof access, ladder work, scaffold tasks, or platform maintenance. If the work can be done from the ground, this permit usually is not needed.

The requestor should complete the work details, hazards, and equipment fields, then a supervisor or other authorized approver should review and sign off. The person approving should understand the site, the access method, and the rescue plan before work starts. In higher-risk settings, a competent person or safety lead may also need to review it.

Create a new permit for each job, shift, or work location change unless your site procedure explicitly allows a longer permit window. If the weather changes, the access method changes, or the hazard profile changes, the permit should be rechecked and updated. A permit should not be reused as a standing approval for unrelated work.

The rescue plan should state how a worker will be retrieved if they are suspended, injured, or unable to self-rescue. Include the rescue method, whether a rescue team is ready, and the emergency contact number. Avoid vague entries like "call for help" because the permit should show a practical, site-specific response.

Common mistakes include leaving the anchor point field blank, marking equipment as inspected without noting defects, and approving work without checking weather or access conditions. Another frequent issue is treating the rescue plan as optional. The permit works best when each field is completed with specific, job-level information.

Yes. The access method, hazards, and control measures fields are designed for conditional logic or branching so you can tailor the permit to ladders, lifts, scaffolds, roofs, or other elevated work. You can also add site-specific controls such as tie-off requirements, exclusion zones, or spotter checks.

This permit can be linked to work orders, maintenance requests, incident reporting, and training records so the approval trail stays connected. Many teams also route it to supervisors, safety managers, or contractors for review before work begins. Keeping the permit tied to the job record helps preserve the audit trail.

Yes, because it standardizes the fields that matter most: height, access method, fall protection, anchor verification, hazards, weather, and rescue readiness. Ad-hoc approvals often miss one of those items or leave no clear record of who approved the work. A permit creates a consistent review path and a clearer audit trail.