ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

Permit to Work in ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Buildings (Restricted Work)

Some work in ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ buildings is restricted and you have to get permission, called a Permit To Work (PtW) to do it.

Updated: 21 March 2024

A guide to getting approval to work in ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ buildings

This guidance has been produced to support you in identifying and understanding the requirements for the authorisation and control of that work. It is not about getting permission to do your normal job at your normal desk, it is about work that could negatively affect work by other people in the building. 

The Permit to Work (PtW) system operates within ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ premises in order that all work other than routine activities (such as office work) by in house staff is identified, assessed and coordinated through one single point of contact (The Permit Office). The work maybe work that you are doing yourself, or it may be work that you are arranging to be done by a contractor.

What work needs special permission

Here are a few examples:

  • Building a stage for a choir that is not in a studio
  • Filming a stunt that is not in a studio
  • A live recording of an audience in a reception area
  • Putting on a big staff event
  • Bringing a generator on site for lighting a shoot
  • Setting off fireworks or other pyrotechnics
  • Using a building as a filming β€œlocation”
  • Arranging for any building work
  • Arranging for cables to be run through elevated floors and suspended ceilings.

What Can Go Wrong?

For Example

  • Jobs interfering with each other
  • A major accident or other injury
  • Broadcast and Business Continuity issues
  • Release of asbestos in certain buildings
  • Impact on what other people are doing/conflict with other projects
  • Delayed start and/or additional time needed to finish job
  • Additional unplanned costs.

How the permit system works

There are a number of different forms that may be needed dependent on the type of work planned. Your Facilities Manager and the Permit Office will advise which are appropriate.

The Permit Office can also help you avoid having to fill in new forms each time if you plan to do the same work from time to time.

Training in the PTW system for you and your contractors may be available via your FM.

Many jobs will just need a simple β€˜authorisation’ to work in a ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ building, and you may be asked to complete a β€˜Work Request’ form to get started. Even though work is authorised through the Permit to Work system a full β€˜Permit to work’ should normally only be needed for higher risk activities such as: 

  • Hot work: welding and cutting operations, open flame work, pyrotechnics;
  • Confined spaces – entry into, e.g. for cleaning and inspection;
  • Electrical - e.g. lock off when working on electrical equipment and machinery, e.g. where casings are opened to access internal components;
  • Working at heights - to specify precautions necessary to control the risk of falls.
  • Excavations - to avoid contact with buried services (e.g. mechanical or electrical) and prevention of excavation collapse.  

Getting Started 

  • Discuss your plan with your local Facilities Manager or Regional Facilities Manager who will advise whether specific authorisations or permits will be needed. They may refer you to your local Permit Office.
  • Contact FM/RFM well in advance of the work to allow time for you to prepare your detailed plan and any documents that may be required for review before work start can be agreed. High risk work could take several weeks to arrange.
  • High hazard and β€˜Technical Permits to Work’ take longer! Allow several weeks.
  • Take your risk assessment with you so that you can discuss the scope of work, location, hazards identified, etc. and the precautions you think are needed
  • For more hazardous work you may be asked to provide a detailed method statement
  • The FM/RFM will check whether your plan would be affected by other activities planned for the same time and place.
  • If contractors or other 3rd parties are involved in the work you will be responsible for checking their competence, and in some cases providing documentary evidence before authorisation to start work can be given
  • Additionally you can contact ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Safety for specific advice.

Division Specific Issues

  •  No division specific issues.

Premises and sets topics

  • Sets & Premises safety guide

    This Safety Guide collates those of our Safety Guidelines relating to construction activities (on sets or other structures, including under 'CDM') and to the occupation / use of building premises (studios or locations).
  • This site is for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Employees or potential future employees only. If you are not a ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ employee or looking for further information regarding ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Access Services then please click on another page from the menu above, where you can find out more about Remploy.
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  • Legionella in Premises: Control of

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  • Permit to Work in ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Buildings (Restricted Work)

    Some work in ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ buildings is restricted and you have to get permission, called a Permit To Work (PtW) to do it.
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  • Sets: Safety of

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About this site

This site describes what the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ does in relation to managing its health, safety and security risks and is intended for those who work directly for the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ.

It is not intended to provide instruction or guidance on how third parties should manage their risks. The ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ cannot be held liable for how this information is interpreted or used by third parties, nor provide any assurance that adopting it would provide any measure of legal compliance. More information

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