CORK, IRELAND – The Health and Safety Authority has announced its 2026 inspection programme, placing a strong focus on permit-to-work and contractor control. This increased scrutiny has led to a rise in demand for EHA Soft Solutions’ electronic work permit system, mai(TM), which offers a more efficient and effective alternative to traditional paper-based permits.
EHA Soft Solutions, a leading developer of contractor management platforms, has seen a significant increase in enquiries for its work permit system, particularly from manufacturers who have recently undergone HSA inspections. This reflects a shift in regulatory expectations, as inspectors no longer just check for the existence of paperwork, but also require proof of operational control at the moment work is carried out.
Dr. Dan Gallagher, Founder and Managing Director of EHA Soft Solutions, explains, “We have heard inspectors asking for a live view of all active permits on a site – who issued it, who is working under it, and what controls are in place. If this information takes more than a minute to retrieve, it indicates that the system is still paper-based, which can no longer keep up with the complexity of modern manufacturing sites.”
The mai(TM) work permit module addresses common issues that arise when authorizing high-risk work, whether carried out by contractors or a company’s own engineering and maintenance staff. It enforces completeness at every stage, ensuring that all required checks are answered and mandatory fields are filled in before the permit can progress. The system also offers configurable approval workflows, so each permit is routed to the appropriate authorizers for the specific work being done.
Additionally, the system checks the compliance status of contractors in real-time, including induction, competency, insurance, and certifications, before issuing a permit. This ensures that only qualified and authorized personnel are allowed to work on site. Furthermore, the system links approved risk assessments and method statements directly to the permit, providing a clear connection between what was authorized and what is actually performed.
One of the most common issues found in paper-based permit systems is the lack of a final client sign-off after work is completed. The mai(TM) system addresses this by enforcing a closeout step that is often missed in traditional processes. When the work is marked as complete, the permit is sent back to the client for the final authorization, creating a verifiable audit trail of every action taken on the permit.
Electronic work permits are just one aspect of EHA Soft Solutions’ mai(TM) Active Contractor Management platform, which also includes an online contractor portal, gate check-in and check-out, integration with access control and visitor management, AI-assisted review of RAMS and safety statements, and online induction training. This integrated approach ensures consistent and verifiable control of every contractor on site, every day.
Dr. Gallagher adds, “The reason we built mai(TM) as a single system is that a permit, the person, their training, their insurance, and their method statement cannot sit in five disconnected places. It has to be one ecosystem, or the gaps are exactly where incidents happen.”
The rise in demand for electronic work permits is reflective of a broader trend in regulated manufacturing, as paper-based systems can no longer keep up with the demands of modern safety regulations. With the HSA intensifying its national inspection program and increasing both the volume and rigour of workplace inspections, manufacturers are recognizing the need for a more efficient and effective system.
To learn more about EHA Soft Solutions and the mai(TM) electronic work permit system, visit ehasoft.com or contact Dr. Dan Gallagher at dan@ehasoft.com.
