Often conditions or actions outside the permit space can create hazards inside the space. Isolating the space means protecting the entrants by controlling activities and processes outside the space. Examples of measures taken to isolate a permit space include:

• Erecting barriers and posting signs to keep other people from entering the space accidentally or inadvertently performing work nearby that might endanger the entrants.
• Locking and tagging out sources of hazardous electrical energy. Lockout/tagout involves placing padlocks and warning tags on switches to prevent the accidental operation of electrical equipment. It also includes releasing electrical energy stored in Machinery.
• Blanking and bleeding of pipes and lines (e.g., fuel, water, chemical, hydraulic, and pneumatic). Blanking means to physically seal hydraulic/pneumatic lines by inserting and bolting a piece of metal between flanges in the piping. Some pipes might also be isolated with double valves that can be locked out. The piping between the valves is then bled (i.e., double block and bleed).

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