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.
Submit a Permit Request
Permit Types
SMU has many confined spaces on campus, most of which do not require a permit. Contractors must adhere to all SMU and OSHA policies and requirements. They are required to submit an online permit request for any Confined Space Entry(CSE) work. Contractors are responsible for informing their sub-contractors about their own safety procedures and SMUs. Contractors must provide their own confined space equipment and have the means to contact the rescue team when necessary. For any safety-related questions or concerns, contractors should contact the ORM through their project or district manager. Contractors will be informed of any known hazards or relevant past experiences related to the PRCS to be entered. After completing entry operations, the University's Project Manager will brief the contractor on the entry procedures used and any unknown or newly encountered hazards. Contractors must be familiar with SMU Campus Emergency Services.
Before working in a confined space, a plan must be in place to summon the rescue team and notify emergency services. Rescue and emergency services must respond promptly, be properly trained, equipped, and proficient in the necessary rescue procedures. Please contact ORM if SMU personnel require rescue services. Please be reminded that contractors are expected to organize and liaise with their respective rescue teams. Calling 911 does not replace having a standby rescue team.
Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS) are confined spaces with active hazards. According to OSHA regulations, PRCS must have an on-site confined space rescue team. Before working in a confined space, a plan must be in place to summon the rescue team and notify emergency services. Rescue and emergency services must respond promptly, be properly trained, equipped, and proficient in the necessary rescue procedures. Please contact ORM if SMU personnel require rescue services. Please be reminded that contractors are expected to organize and liaise with their respective rescue teams. 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.
Revised on February 23, 2026
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.
Hot work permits cannot be requested online. To obtain a hot work permit, visit the Office of Risk Management located at 6300 North Central Expressway.
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.
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.