Learn what a plant shutdown is, what Brazil's NR 13, NR 33 and NR 35 require during the shutdown, and how to control contractors and work permits.
By: Vitória Willemann
Content based on the official texts of NR 13, NR 33, NR 35 and Law No. 6,019/1974, consulted on 06/11/2026.
A plant shutdown (parada geral de fábrica, in Portuguese) is the planned stoppage of a plant to carry out maintenance, mandatory inspections and improvements that cannot be done while the operation is running. In just a few days, the company receives many contractors and concentrates high-risk activities, such as work at height and in confined spaces, that require work permits and up-to-date training.
| What happens during the shutdown | Standard and item | What it requires |
|---|---|---|
| Contractors working at the plant | Law 6,019, art. 5-A, § 3 | The contracting company ensures safety conditions for contractors on its premises |
| Non-routine work at height | NR 35, 35.5.7 and 35.5.8.2 | Prior Permit to Work (PT), valid only for the activity and restricted to the shift or working day |
| Training for work at height | NR 35, 35.4.2.1 and 35.4.2.2 | 8 hours initially and 8 hours every two years |
| Confined spaces | NR 33, 33.5.5, 33.5.12 and 33.5.9 | Entry and Work Permit (PET) before every entry, valid for one working day and kept for 5 years |
| Training for confined spaces | NR 33, Annex III | 40 hours for entry supervisors and 16 hours for attendants and authorised entrants, with an annual 8-hour refresher |
| Boilers and pressure vessels | NR 13, 13.4.4.4 and 13.5.4.5 | Periodic safety inspection within maximum intervals, such as 12 months for category A and B boilers |
| NR 13 inspection report | NR 13, 13.3.8 | In the case of a general maintenance shutdown, up to 90 days for the report |
It is the period in which the plant, or one of its units, stops producing in a planned way. It is also called a planned shutdown, maintenance shutdown or turnaround.
The shutdown is used for work that requires equipment to be stopped: major maintenance, parts replacement, internal cleaning, mandatory inspections of boilers and pressure vessels, and improvement projects. It is different from an emergency shutdown, which happens without planning because of a failure.
Because several risk factors add up at the same time:
And responsibility remains with the company: under Law No. 6,019/1974, art. 5-A, § 3, the contracting company must ensure safety conditions for contractors working on its premises.
Work at height (NR 35). Every non-routine activity at height must be authorised in advance by a PT (Permissão de Trabalho, Permit to Work) (35.5.7). The PT must include the minimum requirements, the measures from the risk analysis and a list of everyone involved (35.5.8.1). It is valid only for that activity, restricted to the shift or working day, and must be closed and filed at the end (35.5.8 and 35.5.8.2).
Confined spaces (NR 33). Every entry requires a PET (Permissão de Entrada e Trabalho, Entry and Work Permit) issued in advance (33.5.5), signed by the entry supervisors and attendants (33.5.6). The PET is valid for one working day (33.5.12) and must be kept for 5 years (33.5.9).
Boilers and pressure vessels (NR 13). The shutdown is usually when periodic inspections take place, which have maximum intervals by category (13.4.4.4 for boilers and Table 2 of item 13.5.4.5 for vessels). In the case of a general maintenance shutdown, the standard allows up to 90 days for the inspection report (13.3.8).
Training. Each contractor should only start the activity with valid required training, such as the 8-hour NR 35 courses and the 16- or 40-hour NR 33 courses.
Points to watch: leaving document review until the week of the shutdown creates queues at the gate and pressure to let contractors in without checks.
GAP's Third-Party Management helps mobilise contractors in advance:
Digital Work Permit, integrated with Third-Party Management, organises the work fronts:
Got a plant shutdown coming up? Schedule a demo and see how to mobilise contractors and issue PTs without paper.
It is the planned interruption of production at a plant or unit to carry out maintenance, mandatory inspections and improvements that require the equipment to be stopped. It is also called a planned shutdown, maintenance shutdown or turnaround.
A planned shutdown is planned in advance, with a defined scope, schedule and contracts. An emergency shutdown happens without planning, because of a failure or accident, and therefore tends to involve more risk and cost.
Under item 35.5.8.2 of NR 35, the PT is valid only for as long as the activity lasts and is restricted to the shift or working day. It can be revalidated by the person responsible for approval, provided the conditions and the team have not changed.
For 5 years. Item 33.5.9 of NR 33 requires this retention period, and 33.5.9.1 states that PETs must be available to workers on request.
Item 13.3.8 of NR 13 allows up to 90 days for the inspection report in the case of a general maintenance shutdown.
See what contractor access control is, what Brazil's Law 6,019 requires of the contracting company, what to check before granting entry and how to use biometrics in line with the LGPD.
Understand what MoC (management of change) is, what Brazil's NR 20 and NR 13 require when something changes in the operation, and how to build a 7-step MoC process.
Understand what NR 29 is, who it applies to, the role of the OGMO, SESSTP and CPATP, the inspection of lifting equipment and the rules for dangerous cargo.
Understand what NR 28 is, how labour inspection works, how fines are calculated (I1 to I4), the criteria for shutdowns and the standard's update for agribusiness.
Understand what NR 26 establishes, the official rules for safety signage, the use of the GHS in labelling and the preparation of the Safety Data Sheet.
Understand NR 25, the safety rules for handling, storing and disposing of industrial waste (solid, liquid and gaseous) and the occupational risk involved.
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