HS&E Operatives practice question: Permits to work (1 of 7)
A. Working environment A free question from our original HS&E Operatives practice exam. Try it, then open the answer to see why each option is right or wrong.
A welder needs to cut through an old steel pipe in a plant room. The site manager says a permit to work must be issued first.
What is a permit to work?
Choose one answer.
AA. A card that proves the welder is trained to weld
BB. A daily sign-in sheet that records who is on site
CC. A formal written system for doing a high-risk job safely
DD. A licence from the local council that allows building work
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C
A. Wrong: Wrong. A training or skills card shows what someone is qualified to do. A permit to work controls a particular job at a particular time.
B. Wrong: Wrong. A sign-in sheet records who is on site, for example for a fire roll call. It does not set out how a high-risk job will be done safely.
C. Right: Right. HSE describes a permit to work as a formal system stating exactly what work is to be done and when. The workers sign it to show they understand the risks and precautions.
D. Wrong: Wrong. Council approvals, such as planning permission, are about whether a building can be built. A permit to work controls one high-risk job on site.
Explanation
A permit to work is used for higher-risk jobs, such as hot work or work that needs equipment isolated. It says exactly what work is to be done, when, and the precautions needed.