Confined space permit example
Completed permits for common jobs: both sheets, filled in and cancelled. Read one, download it, then issue your own from the blank.
Get the blankChoose a permit
- Torch-on felt on a flat roofA propane torch on the roof of an occupied office, with a fire watch to the two-hour check.2 pages, checked 2 November 2026
- Welding a steel beam in a basementMIG welding during a refurbishment, with fume extraction and the office above checked too.2 pages, checked 2 November 2026
- A new drain in a yard, near live servicesHand digging near a cable and a gas pipe, over two days, with inspections after rain.2 pages, checked 2 November 2026
- Entering a foul manhole to join a drainTwo people in a 2.4 m manhole, with gas tests, a top person and a winch at the surface.2 pages, checked 2 November 2026
- A night fit-out in a bank branchA shopfitting team replacing a reception desk and two partitions after closing, with one intruder alarm zone off and security on site.2 pages, checked 2 November 2026
- A roof survey behind a barrierA surveyor and an assistant on a large flat felt roof with roof lights and an open edge, inside a barrier set and struck on the same permit, with wind readings throughout.2 pages, checked 2 November 2026
- Changing a sub-main boardA board with two incomers and a generator inlet, with both firms locked on through a lock-out box, proved dead before the permit was issued.2 pages, checked 2 November 2026
Confined space permit example
Entering a foul manhole to join a drain
Two people in a 2.4 m manhole, with gas tests, a top person and a winch at the surface.
What to change
- Your site and exact location
- The precautions that do not apply, and why
- Who issues it and who accepts it
Sources
Checked
The same sheet as text
Worked example of a made-up job. Not a permit.
Sheet 1: Confined Space Entry Permit
Hollins & Reed Contracting Ltd
- Permit no.HR-0420
- SiteUnit 3, Canal Side Business Park
- Exact locationFoul manhole MH2, east yard
Details
- ContractorHollins & Reed
- Issued toPriya Shah
- Valid from15/10/26 09:00
- Valid to15/10/26 14:00
- RAMS refHR-RAMS-10
- Isolation certStopper T1
The work
- Space and entry pointFoul manhole MH2, 2.4 m deep, 1.2 m across. One entry, the top cover.
- Work to be doneJoin the new drain through the chamber wall. Two to lift the pipe. Make good the benching.
- Why entry, time limitThe joint cannot be made from the surface. Two entries, 45 minutes each.
Hazards
- Oxygen low or highYes
- Toxic gasYes
- Flammable airYes
- EngulfmentYes
- HeatNo
- DrowningYes
- Restricted entryYes
- Power, machineryNo
Precautions
- Space isolated and locked offDone: yes. By: Priya Shah, tied off
- Cleaned, purged and ventilatedDone: yes. By: Reece Ollerton, fan on
- Air tested before entry and duringDone: yes. By: Priya Shah
- Supervisor and top person namedDone: yes. By: Dan Hollins, Priya Shah
- Communication agreedDone: yes. By: Radio and line signals
- Rescue plan and equipment readyDone: yes. By: Dan Hollins, drilled
- Harness and lineDone: yes. By: Both entrants
- Safe lighting and toolsDone: yes. By: Rated for the space
- Breathing apparatus where neededDone: no. By: Not needed. Escape sets
- How emergency services are calledDone: yes. By: Priya Shah, 999
What is isolated
- Incoming foul drainHow: Stopper at MH1, tied off. Locked: no. Tag: T1. Proved by: Priya Shah
Equipment
- Gas monitorYes
- Tripod and winchYes
- Escape BAYes
- RadioYes
- LightingYes
Other conditions
- Out on any alarm, falling oxygen or a reading moving towards a limit. Our limits CO 20 ppm, H2S 5 ppm, gas 10% LEL.
- Test oxygen, then gas, then toxics, from the top by probe. Top person stays out. Rescue by winch from the surface.
Sign-off
- Issued: precautions checkedName: Dan Hollins. Signature: signed. Date: 15/10/26. Time: 08:55
- Accepted: permit understoodName: Priya Shah. Signature: signed. Date: 15/10/26. Time: 09:00
Sheet 2: Confined Space Entry Permit
Hollins & Reed Contracting Ltd
- Permit no.HR-0420
- SiteUnit 3, Canal Side Business Park
- Exact locationFoul manhole MH2, east yard
Gas tests
- 08:40O2 %: 20.8. LEL %: 0. CO ppm: 0. H2S ppm: 1. By: Priya Shah
- 09:10O2 %: 20.9. LEL %: 0. CO ppm: 0. H2S ppm: 0. By: Priya Shah
- 09:50O2 %: 20.9. LEL %: 0. CO ppm: 0. H2S ppm: 0. By: Priya Shah
- 11:00O2 %: 20.8. LEL %: 0. CO ppm: 0. H2S ppm: 1. By: Priya Shah
- 11:40O2 %: 20.9. LEL %: 0. CO ppm: 0. H2S ppm: 0. By: Priya Shah
People in the space: name
- Reece OllertonCompany: Hollins & Reed. Briefed: yes. In: 09:15. Out: 09:55
- Joe PenkethCompany: Hollins & Reed. Briefed: yes. In: 09:15. Out: 09:55
- Reece OllertonCompany: Hollins & Reed. Briefed: yes. In: 11:05. Out: 11:45
- Joe PenkethCompany: Hollins & Reed. Briefed: yes. In: 11:05. Out: 11:45
Cancellation
- All out at11:45. Both entrants counted out.
- Space securedCover back on at 12:10. Stopper out at MH1, drain running.
- Equipment removedTripod, fan, monitors and lines off the yard by 12:30.
Handback
- Isolations removedStopper T1 removed by Priya Shah at 12:05
- Area returned toThornley Vale Estates Ltd, site keyholder
- NotesReadings in the job file. Both entrants washed down after each entry.
Sign-off
- Extended: new end timeName: Not extended
- Cancelled: area checkedName: Dan Hollins. Signature: signed. Date: 15/10/26. Time: 12:35
- Handed back: area returnedName: Dan Hollins. Signature: signed. Date: 15/10/26. Time: 12:40
What a completed permit shows
- Who issued it and who accepted
- What was checked first, and what did not apply
- The record while it ran (fire watch, gas tests, inspections)
- How it was cancelled and handed back
Two ways to run your permits
Keep the day’s record
Note each permit issued and cancelled in Site Diary, with photos of the area.
Open Site DiaryPermit to work example questions
Are these real permits?
No. Every job, company, person and address here is made up, and so is every reading. They show what goes in each box.
Can I issue one of these as it is?
No. A permit is written for one job, one place, one time. Issue your own from the blank, after checking the place yourself.
What makes a permit invalid?
It covers only the job, the place and the time written on it. If the time runs out or the work changes, stop, then extend it or issue a new one once it is checked as safe. HSE: HSG250.
How long does a hot work fire watch last?
At least an hour of continuous watching after the hot work ends, then at least one more check two hours after the end. HSE: HSG168.
Where is the blank?
On the permit to work template page. Add your logo, then print it or download it.