An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.
What an isolation permit is
An isolation permit is a controlled document that records how a machine, system or supply has been isolated from its energy sources, locked off and confirmed safe before work begins. It underpins safe maintenance by making sure stored and incoming energy cannot reach the people working on the equipment.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides which isolations need a permit and what it must record.
Purpose
- Record which energy sources were isolated and how.
- Confirm lock-off, tagging and dissipation of stored energy.
- Coordinate the isolating authority with those doing the work.
- Provide a controlled basis for safe de-isolation and return to service.
Who completes it
- An isolating authority competent in the relevant energy sources, who isolates.
- The person doing the work, who accepts the isolation conditions.
- Each worker may apply a personal lock under a multi-lock system.
- The employer decides who is competent to isolate and to accept.
When it is used
- Before maintenance, cleaning or repair on equipment with hazardous energy.
- When inadvertent start-up or release of energy could cause harm.
- For a stated period, until work is complete and de-isolation is controlled.
- Whenever the employer’s system designates the isolation as permit-controlled.
Typical fields
- Permit number, equipment, and each energy source to be isolated.
- Isolation points, locks and tags applied, and proving checks.
- Stored-energy dissipation (springs, pressure, capacitance, gravity).
- Names of the isolating authority and acceptors, with lock details.
- Controlled de-isolation and return-to-service sign-off.
- Example fields only — adapt to the equipment and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Isolating one source but missing another (e.g. stored pressure or a second feed).
- No lock-off, so the supply can be restored while work continues.
- Not proving the isolation at the point of work.
- Removing locks and re-energising before everyone is clear.
Document workflow
An isolation permit is typically applied under the permit to work system after a risk assessment, and supports an electrical permit to work, a confined space entry permit or a machinery maintenance task. De-isolation is controlled when the work permit is closed.
See the related documents below for what is commonly required before, used with and completed after an isolation permit.
Retention (high level)
Completed isolation permits are usually kept for a period afterwards as a record of how the energy was controlled, in line with the employer’s obligations and data-protection duties. This page does not state a period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Isolation permits are commonly completed, signed and stored as PDFs alongside the work permit. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make the permit official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Identify all energy sources for each piece of equipment.
- Provide a lock-off and tagging system and competent isolating authorities.
- Control de-isolation so nothing is re-energised too early.
- Keep completed permits as records and review after any incident.
Worker notes
- Do not work until the isolation is locked off and proved at the point of work.
- Apply your own lock where a multi-lock system is used.
- Never remove someone else’s lock or assume a machine is dead.
Country considerations
Rules on isolation, lock-off and safe maintenance vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee of validity.
Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for safe isolation of hazardous energy, the competence of isolating authorities, and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not authorise any work and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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