Permit Request

SMU has a Permit Request system that requires approval from the Office of Risk Management before any hazardous work begins.  Permit Requests apply to all SMU faculty, staff, and service providers working under contract at SMU-owned or operated facilities.  

SMU Permits are not a substitution for a service provider's contractually required safety program.  Service providers are responsible for initiating, maintaining, and supervising all safety precautions and program in connection with their work.  They are required to take reasonable precautions for the safety of persons performing the work and others who may be affected.  They must also provide reasonable protection to prevent damage to property at the site and surrounding area, equipment, materials, tools, etc. 

Permit Types

SMU has many confined spaces on campus, most of which do not require a permit. However, before working in any confined space, contractors must complete an SMU Confined Space Permit. Depending on the operation, contractors must also have the appropriate gear.

Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS) are confined spaces with active hazards. If a PRCS permit is needed, please indicate this on the Confined Space Permit. According to OSHA regulations, PRCS must have an on-site confined space rescue team. SMU Risk Management will review and approve the rescue team before issuing a PRCS permit.

More information on SMU's Confined Space program is available here. 

Use when a any part of a fire suppression system is taken out of service.

High risk operations are tasks that can cause serious bodily injury or death or significantly impact campus operations. Examples include the use of cranes, rope access/rappelling, live electrical work, and working with dangerous chemicals outside of lab settings.

Hot work involves any activity that produces flames or sparks, such as welding, cutting, brazing, burning, or other spark-producing operations. These activities can be hazardous and may lead to fires, injuries, or explosions.

All operations that contain hazardous energy should be turned off, and physical locks should be used to eliminate the unexpected start of equipment. SMU uses blue identification locks and digital tags to help with lock-out operations, and service providers are expected to use red locks. 

No one is permitted to cut a lock-out device on campus unless the process is documented by a representative from the SMU Office of Risk Management.  

More information is available here. 

Required for any device requiring an open flame. Examples include candles, torches, fueled lamps, etc.

Erected scaffolding poses significant hazards to both workers and the general public. If not properly constructed, scaffolding can collapse, cause objects to fall, or even become electrified. Additionally, poorly designed scaffolding can obstruct emergency exits or other critical life-safety devices.

To ensure safety, all erected scaffolding must be inspected daily and signed off by a competent person, even in areas accessible to the general public. Where walk-through passages are permitted, overhead protection must be installed.

More information of SMU's scaffolding program is available here.