Summary
In short
- A general work permit is a permit used in KnowSafe that covers non routine work that does not fall under a specific permit but still needs control and authorisation. It is built against ISO 45001 cl.8.1 and forms part of the Permit to Work programme.
- Raised before work starts. Issued by the area owner.
- The template holds 61 fields across 8 sections.
- Scoring is go or no go.
- ISO 45001 is occupational health and safety management systems. The international standard for managing worker health and safety. Certifiable, and the backbone of most of this library.
- It connects to the rest of the library: links Vendor, Site.
What it is
What it is
What is a general work permit?
A general work permit is a permit used in KnowSafe that covers non routine work that does not fall under a specific permit but still needs control and authorisation. It is built against ISO 45001 cl.8.1 and forms part of the Permit to Work programme.
When is a general work permit completed?
A general work permit is completed before the work starts, and closed out when it finishes or when any condition changes. Raised before work starts.
When to use it
When to use it, and when not to
This permit is one step in a larger programme. Using it for work that belongs to a neighbouring template produces records that are hard to report on later.
Use it for
- The event or activity this permit covers has occurred, or is about to
- Authorisation is needed before the work can begin
- A new record is needed; each one gets its own ID in the form PTW-2026-000
- You are running the Permit to Work programme and this is one of its steps
- A linked record needs this one to exist: links vendor, site
Not for
- Hot Work Permit, which controls welding, cutting, grinding and any work that makes sparks or heat.
- Confined Space Entry Permit, which controls entry into tanks, pits, silos and other confined spaces.
- Energy Isolation Permit, which controls work where machinery must be shut down and locked out.
- Anything outside KnowSafe, which belongs in the workspace that owns that process
Standards
What it is built against
ISO 45001Occupational health and safety management systems
The international standard for managing worker health and safety. Certifiable, and the backbone of most of this library.
ISOInternational Organization for Standardization
A voluntary international standard. Widely adopted, often required by customers, and certifiable where a management system standard.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the general work permit template based on?+
It is built against ISO 45001 cl.8.1. ISO 45001 is occupational health and safety management systems. The international standard for managing worker health and safety. Certifiable, and the backbone of most of this library. ISO is international Organization for Standardization. A voluntary international standard. Widely adopted, often required by customers, and certifiable where a management system standard.
What sections does the general work permit contain?+
There are 8 sections: permit, the work, gate 1 permit selection, gate 2 hazards and controls, gate 3 emergency arrangements, food safety controls, authorisation, closure. Together they hold 61 fields, 39 of which are required.
How often is a general work permit raised?+
A new record is raised before the work starts, and closed out when it finishes or when any condition changes. Each one is given an ID in the form PTW-2026-000, so it can be traced and referenced from other records.
Which programme does the general work permit belong to?+
It is part of Permit to Work. One permit system covering hot work, confined space, height, excavation, electrical and line breaking.
How is a general work permit scored?+
Scoring is go or no go. Scores exist to make the form tell you something, not to produce a percentage for its own sake.
Can the general work permit template be changed?+
Yes. Every field, option, score and conditional rule is editable, and the links to other templates come with it. Most teams install it as it is, run it for a cycle, then adjust.
The agents
What the agents do with it
The form is the easy part. Keeping it current, routing it to the right owner and holding the evidence together is the work that actually slips.
Holds the general work permit library against your registers, routes each record to its owner, and keeps the evidence trail together.
Coordinates the crew, rolls completion and exceptions into one view, and holds every write for your approval before it touches a record.
This template lives in KnowSafe — safety and compliance. Incidents, hazards, permits, inspections and the critical controls behind them.
Meet KnowSafe→Sources
Sources
- ISO 45001 — Occupational health and safety management systems
- ISO — International Organization for Standardization