According to Cork-based EHA Soft Solutions, enquiries for its mai™ electronic work permit system have risen significantly as businesses prepare for more rigorous inspections focusing on permit-to-work procedures and contractor compliance.
The shift reflects changing expectations from workplace regulators. Rather than simply checking whether paperwork exists, inspectors are increasingly looking for evidence that organisations can demonstrate exactly who is carrying out high-risk work, what authorisations are in place and whether appropriate safety controls are being followed at that moment.
Dr Dan Gallagher, Founder and Managing Director of EHA Soft Solutions, believes the days of relying solely on paper permits are rapidly coming to an end.
He explained to That's Business that inspectors now expect organisations to be able to instantly identify every active permit on site, who authorised it, who is working under it and the safeguards that are currently in place. If this information cannot be produced quickly, businesses may struggle to demonstrate effective operational control.
The company's digital permit platform is designed to reduce the risks associated with manual processes by ensuring mandatory information is completed before a permit can be issued. Approval workflows can also be tailored so that permits are automatically routed to the appropriate managers for authorisation.
Where contractors are involved, the system checks that workers have completed site inductions, hold valid certifications, possess current insurance documentation and meet competency requirements before work begins. Approved risk assessments and method statements are also linked directly to each permit, creating a clear audit trail.
Managers benefit from live dashboards showing every active permit across a site, allowing engineering, health and safety teams, security staff and senior management to monitor ongoing work in real time. Every amendment is date and time stamped, creating a detailed record that can be reviewed during inspections or incident investigations.
Mobile technology also enables permit issuers to complete inspections directly at the work location, including capturing photographs, while the system requires formal sign-off once work has been completed — a step that is often overlooked with paper-based processes.
EHA Soft Solutions says growing interest in digital permits highlights a wider trend across manufacturing. Rather than viewing permit-to-work systems in isolation, many organisations are adopting integrated contractor management platforms that combine access control, online inductions, competency checks, document management and permit approvals into a single digital ecosystem.
As regulatory expectations continue to evolve, manufacturers are increasingly recognising that real-time visibility, accurate records and demonstrable compliance are becoming essential parts of modern workplace safety management.
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