Whilst recently discussing work on roofs a fellow member stated a 'permit to work' must be issued for all roof work under the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Whilst I can see a permit to work may be employed on extremely high risk work where working close to an edge with no edge protection, I believe for low/medium risk roof work say in the centre of a roof away from an edge, for instance a central lift motor room with a protected walkway around it, a full assessment setting out all possible risks and control measures to eliminate or reduce such identified risks together with a detailed job specific safe working method statement would be sufficient and would not warrant completion of a three part permit, particularly on a regular inspection programme.

Alan

A permit to work is NOT required under WAH. Some organisations use a permit system for working at height, but that is their choice. If proper controls are in place (ie method statement) then normally I see no good reason for a PtW.

A company can deem every operation it has as a PTW operation and v-verse even working with live electricity / asbestos and as far as I can remember a PTW is not noted as a requirement in law, so its up to a company to decide

However common sense should prevail and, in my opinion, only activities/people etc that are high risk should need to go to the lengths of a full PTW system as good RA's, WSSW etc should be suitable and sufficient for other areas. But may I pass across a warning; not all high risk areas involve working with live electricity and similar as some high risk areas are missed because people concentrate on specific traditional areas instead of operating 'outside the box'