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 a stop work authority form is
A stop work authority form documents the use of an empowerment that lets any worker pause an activity when they see an imminent and serious danger. It records why work was stopped, what was done, and how it was confirmed safe to resume.
This is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, and the form does not create the authority to stop work — that comes from the employer establishing and supporting the right to do so.
Purpose
- Record when and why work was stopped for safety.
- Reinforce that stopping unsafe work is expected, not penalised.
- Capture how the hazard was resolved before resuming.
- Provide learning for the wider safety process.
Who completes it
- The person who stopped the work, with a supervisor.
- Those involved help confirm the resolution.
- A responsible person authorises the safe resumption.
- The employer establishes and supports the authority to stop.
When it is used
- When a worker sees an imminent, serious risk and stops the activity.
- When conditions, equipment or a method become clearly unsafe.
- When a control is missing or has failed.
- Whenever the situation needs work to pause until it is made safe.
Typical fields
- Date, time, location and the activity stopped.
- Who stopped it and the reason — the danger identified.
- Immediate actions taken to make the situation safe.
- How and by whom safe resumption was authorised.
- Lessons and any follow-up action.
- Example fields only — adapt to your process and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Discouraging or penalising people who stop work, which kills the authority.
- Resuming before the hazard is genuinely resolved.
- No clear sign-off on who authorised the restart.
- Treating the stoppage as a delay rather than a success.
Document workflow
A stop work authority form often connects to a hazard report or near miss report describing the danger, and can trigger a corrective action form and an incident investigation where appropriate. It feeds a review of the relevant risk assessment and instruction so the cause is addressed.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with and completed after a stop work authority form.
Retention (high level)
Stop work records are usually kept for a period set by the employer so they can be reviewed and learned from. This page does not state a period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Stop work authority forms are commonly completed and stored as PDFs and shared as part of safety learning. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not create the authority to stop work or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Establish and clearly support the right to stop unsafe work.
- Never penalise a good-faith stoppage.
- Confirm the hazard is genuinely resolved before resuming.
- Capture and act on the lessons from each stoppage.
Worker notes
- If you see an imminent, serious danger, stop the work.
- Explain the danger and what made you stop.
- Only resume once a responsible person confirms it is safe.
Country considerations
Rights and expectations around stopping unsafe work 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 legal advice.
Confirm requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for establishing and supporting the authority to stop unsafe work, resolving the hazard and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not create any authority 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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