Hot Work Safety Tips
- Jun 26, 2018
- 3 min read
Hot work :
Hot work is defined as cutting and welding operations for construction/demolition activities that involve the use of portable gas or arc welding equipment, or involve soldering, grinding, or any other similar activities producing a spark, flame, or heat. Hot work introduces significant fire hazards into any workplace.
It very importance to control hot work hazards otherwise a catastrophic fire accident may occur. The most common type of hot work are as follows :
1) Welding (common types of welding are Arc and Gas welding. MIG and TIG welding are also applicable in industries),
2) Cutting
3) Grinding
4)Brazing
5) Burning etc.
Hot work may also be defined as The use of open fires, flames and work involving the application of heat by means of tools or equipment.
This includes the unintentional application of heat by the use of power tools, hot rivets or hot particles generated from cutting or welding operations.
The sources of heat most commonly involved include: gas/electric welding and cutting apparatus; blow torches/blowlamps; bitumen/tar boilers; Grinding wheels and cutting disks etc.
Minimum safety standards include:
Combustibles must be moved at least 35 feet away;
Flammables must be moved at least 50 feet away
Two fire extinguishers (suitable for the area) must be on the site;
a fire watch is required on every job;
The fire watch must stay on the job site for 30 minutes after the hot work is finished.
No hot work must be undertaken unless emergency plans are in place. It is the Maintenance Manager’s responsibility to ensure an assessment of the emergency requirements has been made and actioned as appropriate. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to ensure any measures deemed necessary are in place and tested prior to hot work being carried out.
All persons involved in hot work operations should receive adequate instruction, training and supervision, and understand: hazards associated with the work and the precautions to be taken; operation of relevant permit to work systems; and actions to be taken in the event of any unintended fire or other emergency.
Avoid the undertaking of hot work by adopting alternative work methods
Relocate the hot work outdoors or to specially designated areas that have been designed and constructed to minimize fire risk
Schedule hot work during shutdowns/out-of-hours if it cannot be avoided or relocated
Undertake the hot work in the area necessary using safe systems.
Ensure that there is a formal check confirming that safe systems of work are being followed
Co-ordinate the work activities with other persons or other work processes
Provide time limits when it is safe to work
Provide specialized PPE or methods of communication
Ensure that the works are properly supervised through to ultimate safety.
Work Environment
Store cylinders in a dry, well-ventilated location.
Avoid storing flammable substances in the same area as gas cylinders.
Avoid storing cylinders of oxygen within 20 feet of cylinders containing flammable gases.
Store all cylinders upright and chained in separate racks.
All cylinders must have safety valves and should be handled with proper manual handling techniques.
Store full and empty cylinders separately.
Warning signs must be placed near cylinder storage area. Only authorized person should be allowed to enter cylinder storage area.
Before the start of any work employees should be briefed on SSOW and TBT.
Emergency procedure in case of an gas leak or an fire should be placed near the storage room.
Work area should be regularly audited/inspected.
Other factors
The use of personal protective equipment is necessary whilst carrying out hot work. If the use of personal protective equipment restricts safe and easy movement, this should be reported.
Constant interruptions from other employees must be avoided, as this can reduce the concentration of an individual.
Drug and alcohol policy to be strictly implemented
Comments