Published 21 Jul 2023
What is a Cold Work Permit?
A cold work permit is a document required in certain workplaces that employees fill up and submit before conducting cold work tasks. Filling up a cold work permit ensures that the worker or workers are aware of the required safety procedures to follow, the possible risks they may be exposed to, and the necessary methods to mitigate them if necessary.
In this article
- Importance of Permits for Cold Work
- What are the Hazards Faced During Cold Work Activities?
- What to Include in a Cold Work Permit
- How to Use It
- FAQs about Cold Work Permits
- Ensure a Safe Working Experience with SafetyCulture
- Related Cold Work Permits
Importance of Permits for Cold Work
Cold work is any work done that does not require heat or sparks in the form of burning, melting, and igniting. It involves manipulating materials such as metal below their recrystallization temperatures, which is the minimum temperature for plastically changed metals to create new grains or crystals at a certain time. Although no flame or sparks are involved, cold work is an essential part of many construction and manufacturing tasks as it helps in creating and connecting different parts of a greater project.
However, cold work still comes with risks, which is why a permit to work for this specific work exists. It helps inform workers about the possible risks they may face at work, as well as the necessary precautions to take before them and when mitigating them. It ensures the safety of workers at all times, as well as that of those around them. This is the case for cold work done in manufacturing plants, ships, civil maintenance, insulation, and piping.
A cold work permit also ensures that all safety regulations are followed. Using one can help stay compliant with both internal and legal safety requirements, which also further promotes workplace safety and productivity among employees.
What are the Hazards Faced During Cold Work Activities?
Common hazards brought about by cold work include the following:
- Exposure to harsh temperature changes and chemicals
- Falling from heights
- Flying parts from equipment that can cause harm
- Overexertion of muscles from operating heavy machinery
- Tripping from stray parts and equipment
These hazards should be taken into account when creating and managing your cold work permits, either as part of the documentation itself or in the briefing before work. It’s essential to write them down, however, so that workers do not miss them.
For this reason, consider utilizing a digital platform to host, create, and manage your cold work permits. By going digital, you can ensure that all employees have access to cold work permits and guidelines on-hand, as well as track their movement and work processes from afar.
What to Include in a Cold Work Permit
Ideally, your digital cold work permit should contain fields for the following:
- Permit validity period
- Potential hazards to be aware of such as changes in pressure, extreme temperatures, flammable materials, possible confined spaces to enter, ventilation issues, and exposure to rotating machinery
- Control measures for each hazard, such as fall protection, a list of equipment to use for assistance, proper ventilation processes, and the correct way to maintain proper pressure and liquids
- Lock-out tag-out protocols
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Full name and signature of the issuer
- Full name and signature of workers
Here is a cold work permit example for reference:
How to Use It
There is no one single way to use a cold work permit, as processes tend to differ per industry and country. However, a cold work permit typically goes through this cycle:
- Employers determine whether a permit is required for a specific task or project. Assess the working conditions, temperature levels, duration of exposure, and any potential risks associated with the cold work environment.
- Workers who are required to work or want to work in cold work should gather all the necessary documentation and information required for the permit, as well as attend training as needed.
- Workers submit the completed application to the appropriate authority or department responsible for issuing cold work permits as directed by the employer. Ensure that the application is filled out accurately with all the required information.
After the cold work permit has been submitted, the relevant authority will review the documentation and assess the proposed work plan. If all requirements have been met and all control measures have been set, the permit will be approved. The authority will then issue the cold work permit, specifying the approved conditions, duration, and any additional instructions or restrictions.
FAQs about Cold Work Permits
Some of the most commonly cold worked materials include:
- Stainless steel
- Copper
- Cobalt
- Nickel-based and aluminum alloys
- Certain titanium-grade materials
Hot work permits are used for tasks involving materials that will require sparking, heating, melting, and welding. On the other hand, cold work permits are designed for activities that do not require extreme heat and sparking.
In most cases, it is the responsibility of the person managing a certain department or equipment to issue and create a cold work permit. This can also be done by the employer depending on the situation.
Ensure a Safe Working Experience with SafetyCulture
Keep your workers aware of the risks of cold work and ensure a safe experience with a digital solution to create, manage, and maintain their cold work permits. SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) is a great place to host and store your cold work permits, as it allows you and your employees to file them anytime and anywhere, streamlining the working process.
As a mobile-first platform, SafetyCulture can ensure all cold work permits are received and approved on time from any device and in any part of your workplace. In the process, you can better analyze risks, address them, and promote a culture of safety.
To get started, download a cold work permit template from the Public Library that will suit your needs and then edit them as needed. You can also create your own from scratch with SafetyCulture’s smart form builder, then template it for future use. All files are stored in the cloud for easy access later on, with each document having its own access controls for security.
Furthermore, SafetyCulture is more than a form builder. It also allows you to do the following:
- Report issues with certain hazards or control measures
- Create and assign actions in-app to address problems
- Conduct internal audits and inspections, then share updates with others with Heads Up
- Manage and track Assets necessary for cold work
- Train employees on proper cold work permit usage and safe cold work practices
- Insure your workers with SafetyCulture Care
- Monitor lone workers in cold work areas with SHEQSY by SafetyCulture
- Export and share your cold work permits in PDF, Word, Excel, and Weblink formats
Related Cold Work Permits
General Permit to Work Template
This permit to work template is good for both hot and cold work. Each section of this template entails confirmation from the persons in charge in accordance with key processes and protocols to ensure a safe working environment.
High Risk Machine Safety Assessment
Use this template to assess high risk machine safety hazards which may result in a fatality or severe, debilitating injuries. This template is sectioned based on the different risks a machine can pose, making it easier to conduct a risk assessment.