Night Working Permits

Night working permits authorise construction activities outside normal daytime working hours.
They ensure additional controls for reduced visibility, noise restrictions, and limited supervision are in place.
Planning conditions on most construction sites restrict noisy or disruptive work to specific daytime hours.
Night permits should specify which activities are authorised, the noise limits, and the supervision arrangements.
Environmental noise monitoring may be required at the nearest sensitive receptors during night work.
Traffic management requirements may differ at night due to lower traffic volumes but higher vehicle speeds.
Welfare arrangements including lighting, heating, and first aid must be confirmed before the night shift starts.
Communication plans are critical at night — fewer people on site means slower emergency response.
The permit must be issued by a competent person and accepted by the night shift supervisor.
Lone working rules apply more strictly at night due to increased vulnerability and isolation.

Planning compliance	Unauthorised night working can breach planning conditions, resulting in enforcement action and project delays.
Worker safety	Night operations carry additional risks that require specific controls beyond normal daytime measures.
Community protection	Night noise from construction affects residents' sleep and wellbeing, attracting complaints and statutory nuisance action.

Do

Don't

Obtain a night working permit before any out-of-hours construction activity
Confirm the permitted activities, noise limits, and working hours on the permit
Ensure welfare facilities, lighting, and first aid are in place before the shift starts
Deploy environmental noise monitoring at sensitive receptors where required
Brief the night shift supervisor on the permit conditions and emergency contacts
Adjust traffic management for night conditions including higher approach speeds
Implement lone working controls for all personnel on the night shift
Maintain a communication plan covering radio, phone, and emergency contacts
Record any noise complaints received during the night and the response taken
Close out the night permit formally at the end of the shift with a handover note

DON'T carry out night work without a valid night working permit in place
DON'T exceed the noise limits specified in the planning conditions or permit
DON'T start work before confirming welfare and lighting are fully operational
DON'T carry out activities not listed on the night working permit
DON'T ignore noise complaints from residents — log and respond to each one
DON'T operate without a named supervisor responsible for the night shift
DON'T allow workers to operate alone without lone working check-in procedures
DON'T assume daytime traffic management is adequate for night conditions
DON'T extend working hours beyond those authorised on the permit without approval
DON'T leave the site unsecured when the night shift is finished

See also: Night Working Safety Awareness | Noise Management (Community Impact)

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