Contents
1. What is a permit-to-work2. When is a permit-to-work required3. Types of permits: full classification4. Who issues the permit-to-work5. Permit issuance procedure6. Permit validity period7. Work without a permit-to-work8. Liability and fines9. Permit-to-work by industry10. Frequently asked questions1. What is a permit-to-work
A permit-to-work (PTW) is a formal written authorisation for high-hazard activities that defines the scope, location, time and conditions of the work, the required safety measures, the composition of the crew and the persons responsible for safe execution.
The permit-to-work is the core document of the PTW management system for high-risk activities in Russia. Starting such work without a valid permit is prohibited under Order No. 903n of the Ministry of Labour (17.12.2020) and industry-specific occupational safety rules.
2. When is a permit-to-work required
There is no single exhaustive list of jobs requiring a permit-to-work under Russian law. Each organisation approves its own list based on its specific operations (Section 55 of Order No. 776n). However, Order No. 776n provides an indicative list covering the main categories.
| Type of work | Examples | Regulatory basis |
|---|---|---|
| Working at height | Above 1.8 m without barriers, high-altitude work (from 5 m), roofs, masts, towers | Order No. 782n |
| Hot work | Welding, cutting, brazing, heating. Temporary hot work in explosion-hazardous zones | Fire Safety Rules (Gov. Decree 1479) |
| Electrical installations | Up to and above 1000 V, on overhead lines, cable lines, switchgear. Admission groups II–V | POTEU (Gov. Decree 875) |
| Gas-hazardous | Work in atmospheres with harmful gases and vapours. Tanks, manholes, tunnels | Federal Rules for HIF |
| Excavation | Near underground utilities, trenches over 1.5 m deep | Order No. 776n |
| Confined spaces | Tanks, cisterns, bunkers, silos, boiler fireboxes, manifolds | Order No. 903n, Federal Rules |
| Installation and dismantling | Equipment, buildings, lifting machinery | Order No. 776n |
| Lifting operations | Cranes, lifts, hoists, conveyors, rigging | Federal Rules for Lifting Structures |
| Blasting | Drill-and-blast, seismic exploration, disposal of explosives | Federal Rules for HIF |
The full list comprises 24 categories of high-hazard work. Detailed coverage of each category is available on dedicated guide pages.
3. Types of permits: full classification
Several types of permits are distinguished depending on the nature of the work and industry-specific requirements.
| Type of permit | Scope of application | Regulatory basis |
|---|---|---|
| General high-hazard work permit | All types of work under Order No. 776n | Order No. 903n |
| Electrical installations permit | Work on electrical installations up to and above 1000 V | POTEU (Gov. Decree 875) |
| Working at height permit | Work above 1.8 m without barriers | Order No. 782n |
| Hot work permit | Welding, cutting, brazing in fire-hazardous zones | Fire Safety Rules (Gov. Decree 1479) |
| Gas-hazardous work permit | Work in gas-contaminated atmospheres, on gas pipelines | Federal Rules for HIF |
| Confined space permit | Tanks, vessels, manholes | Order No. 903n, Federal Rules |
| Excavation permit | Trenches, protected zones | Order No. 776n |
4. Who issues the permit-to-work
Persons authorised to issue a permit-to-work are appointed by order of the organisation's head. The PTW system defines the following roles:
- Issuer — head of a structural unit or chief engineer. Determines the need and feasibility of safe work, assigns responsible persons, specifies safety measures.
- Responsible work supervisor — oversees the implementation of safety measures, determines the adequacy of protective measures.
- Work performer (admitting person) — directly admits the crew to work at the prepared site and conducts a targeted safety briefing.
- Crew members — workers who have undergone training, briefing and are authorised to perform the work.
Detailed information on the authority of each responsible person is available in the "Who issues the permit" section.
5. Permit issuance procedure
Issuing a permit-to-work includes the following stages:
- Determining the need for a permit-to-work based on the organisation's list.
- Appointing responsible persons: issuer, responsible work supervisor, work performer.
- Developing workplace safety measures.
- Filling out the permit form in two copies.
- Conducting targeted safety briefing for all crew members.
- Preparing the workplace: installing barriers, safety signs, inspecting PPE.
- Admitting the crew to work with signatures of all responsible persons.
- Daily control and admission when work continues the next day.
- Closing the permit-to-work after completion with inspection of the workplace.
Step-by-step instructions with sample forms are available in the "Permit issuance" section.
6. Permit validity period
| Type of permit | Validity period | Extension |
|---|---|---|
| General high-hazard work permit | For the duration of the work, but no more than 15 calendar days | Once, for a period of no more than 15 days |
| Electrical installations permit | 15 calendar days from the start of work | Once, for a period of no more than 15 days |
| Working at height permit | 15 working days from the start of work | Once, for 15 working days |
| Hot work permit | For one working shift | Not extended, a new permit is issued |
| Gas-hazardous work permit | For one working shift (daytime) | Not extended |
A detailed table of validity periods for all types of work is available in the "Permit validity" section.
7. Work without a permit-to-work
By order (without issuing a permit-to-work), work that does not require special preparation of the workplace and is not included in the organisation's list of high-hazard activities may be performed. For example:
- Working at height using inventory scaffolding (scaffolds, platforms) with protective barriers.
- Routine operation of electrical installations — operational maintenance as part of day-to-day operations.
- Minor current repairs without decommissioning equipment.
The full list is available in the "Work without a permit" section.
8. Liability and fines
Administrative and criminal liability is provided for violations of the permit issuance and approval procedure.
| Violation | Fine for officials | Fine for legal entities |
|---|---|---|
| Admitting workers without a permit-to-work | RUB 15,000 — 25,000 | RUB 110,000 — 130,000 |
| Failure to ensure work safety oversight | RUB 15,000 — 25,000 | RUB 110,000 — 130,000 |
| Repeat violation of occupational safety requirements | RUB 30,000 — 40,000 or disqualification 1–3 years | RUB 100,000 — 200,000 or suspension up to 90 days |
| Accident resulting from violations | Criminal liability under Art. 143, 216, 217 of the Criminal Code | — |
Basis: Art. 5.27.1 of the Administrative Code, Art. 143, 216, 217 of the Criminal Code of Russia.
9. Permit-to-work by industry
The permit-to-work system operates in all industries where high-hazard work is performed. Permits are most intensively used in the following industries:
Oil & Gas. Hot, gas-hazardous, working at height and confined space activities. The widest range of permits: up to 6 types simultaneously at one site. Regulated by Federal Rules for Hazardous Industrial Facilities.
Construction. Working at height, excavation, structural assembly, crane operations. Up to 70% of construction work requires a permit. Specifics: multiple contractors on one site.
Power Industry. Work on electrical installations up to and above 1000 V. A separate permit system under POTEU (Gov. Decree 875). Admission groups II to V.
Metallurgy. Work near molten metal, in hot shops, repair of metallurgical units. Hot work and working at height are the main types.
Mining. Work in mines, quarries, drill-and-blast operations. The strictest permit system requirements, regulated by Federal Rules for mining operations.
Chemical Industry. Work with hazardous chemical substances, in confined spaces, gas-hazardous work. Enhanced requirements for PPE and decontamination.
Utilities (ZhKH). Work in manholes, on heating mains, in electrical installations of residential buildings. Often — gas-hazardous work in basements.
Transport. Work on railway tracks, roads, ports and airports. Specifics: working in traffic zones.
Shipbuilding & Repair. Confined spaces (compartments, tanks), hot work, work at height in dry docks. Diving operations.
Nuclear Power. The strictest permit-to-work system. Work in ionising radiation zones, mandatory dosimetric control.
Detailed guides for each industry are available in the "By Industry" section.
10. Frequently asked questions
At what height is a permit-to-work required?
A working at height permit is issued for work above 1.8 m without protective barriers, as well as for work above machinery, mechanisms or water surfaces. High-altitude work (above 5 m) always requires a permit (Order No. 782n).
How many permits can be issued simultaneously?
A work performer may work under only one permit at a time. A responsible work supervisor may oversee work under several permits if this ensures adequate safety control.
What is the difference between a permit and a verbal instruction?
A permit-to-work is a written authorisation with detailed safety measures and requires prior workplace preparation. A verbal instruction is an oral or written assignment for work that does not require special workplace preparation, with an entry in the operational log.
Where are closed permits stored?
Closed permits are stored in the issuing unit for 30 days after closure. If an accident occurred during the work, the permit is kept in the investigation materials for 45 years.
Is a permit required for emergency response?
During emergency response, work may begin without issuing a permit. However, the work must be performed under the direct supervision of a responsible person, and the permit is issued after emergency containment for continued recovery work.
Who extends a permit-to-work?
The permit is extended by the person who issued it or another person authorised to issue permits for these works. The extension is recorded in the permit with the new validity period.
How long is a permit retained?
The standard retention period for a closed permit is 30 days. In the event of an accident, as part of investigation materials: 45 years for severe and fatal cases, 10 years for minor ones.