Fire Protection ยป
Precautions for Hot Work
To reduce the potential of fire hazards and
the frequency and severity of any fires resulting from hot work, OSHA has
identified specific precautions for hot work. The
term "hot work" is defined as riveting, welding, burning or other fire- or
spark-producing operations. This section covers all hot work operations except
for those requirements found in Confined and Enclosed Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres in
Shipyard Employment.
Sparks or molten metal from hot work, when combined with oxygen and a fuel
source, can start a fire. Hot work is only allowed in areas that are free of
fire hazards, or where fire hazards have been controlled by physical isolation,
fire watches, or other positive means. Employers must maintain hazard free
conditions in the space while hot work is being performed.
Other hazardous conditions can also
result in fires. Potential ignition sources include combustible materials
that may cause or contribute to the spread of fire such as cigarettes, matches,
heat guns, heat producing chemical reactions, electric shocks, and improper use
of heating devices. While these conditions are not covered by the following
requirements, OSHA encourages employers to control all fire-hazards found in
shipyard employment.
Review the Confined/Enclosed
Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres before proceeding with this section.
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Precautions for Hot Work |
Potential Hazards:
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Unprotected combustible materials exposed to hot work.
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Fire and explosion hazards.
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Uncontrolled hot work.
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Failure to recognize flammable materials such as rubber, foam
insulation, wiring, deck covering, wallboard.
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Performing hot work in non-designated locations.
- Spark-producing devices not observed by user (Figure 1).
- Burning of materials causing toxic gases or atmospheres.
- Oxygen-deficient and oxygen enriched atmospheres while performing hot work.
- Protective covers that have been moved, become deteriorated, contaminated, or
unsuitable for the purpose.
- Fuel line and oxygen hose breakage.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
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Designated areas for hot work may be identified in sites
such as vessels, vessel sections, fabricating shops, and subassembly areas
that are free of fire hazards. [1915.503(a)(1)]
- In a non-designated area, a visual inspection
of the area must be conducted prior to performing hot work. This includes
adjacent spaces to ensure that the area is free of fire hazards, unless a Marine
Chemist's certificate or Shipyard Competent Person's log is used for
authorization. [1915.503(a)(2)(i)]
- Hot work can only be performed in areas free of fire hazards, or where
fire hazards have been controlled by physical
isolation, fire watches, or other positive means (Figure 2 and 3). [1915.503(a)(2)(ii)]
- See 1915.14 for additional hot work requirements.
- Hot work
areas must be free of new hazards likely to cause or contribute to the
spread of fire. [1915.503(b)(1)]
- Fire, gas and oxygen supply lines and torches must be adequately
maintained. [1915.503(b)(2)]
- No unattended fuel gas and oxygen hose lines or torches are in
confined spaces (Figure 1).
- No unattended charged fuel gas and oxygen hose lines or torches are in
enclosed spaces for more than 15 minutes.
- All fuel gas and oxygen hose lines are disconnected at the supply
manifold (Figure 4) at the end of each shift.
- All disconnected fuel gas and oxygen hose lines are rolled back to the
supply manifold (Figure 5) or to open air to disconnect the torch or
extended fuel gas and oxygen hose lines are not reconnected at the
supply manifold unless the lines are given a positive means of
identification when they were first connected and the lines are tested
using a drop test or other positive means to ensure the integrity of
the fuel gas and oxygen burning system.
- Gas lines (oxygen, acetylene and other flammable gases) must be
disconnected at the source at the end of each shift and the discharge end
of each hose removed from confined or enclosed spaces. [1915.503(b)(2)]
- Only use gas hoses (oxygen, acetylene and other flammable gases) that
are in good repair. [1915.55(f)]
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For additional precautions and requirements while performing hot work,
please see:
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Figure 1. Improper Practice:
Charged burning torch unattended and lying on the deck floor.
Figure 2. Fire retardant covers on pipes used to protect against sparks
from hot work.
Figure 3. Glass cloth cover to protect equipment from being exposed to hot
work.
Figure 4. Disconnecting supply manifold for fuel gases and oxygen.
Figure 5.
Fuel gas/oxygen hose coiled up properly.
Figure 6.
Gas cylinder holder located in the shipyard. |
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Maritime Labor/Industry Recommendations |
- Ensure that any cold work being conducted in
adjacent spaces is compatible with hot work being performed.
- Thoroughly inspect adjacent spaces and protective covers before conducting hot
work.
- Clearly identify space boundaries where hot work is to be
conducted (Figure 7).
- Maintain good housekeeping practices (removal of rags and trash)
(Figure 8) and train on
combustible materials such as wiring and insulation adjacent to hot
work.
- Remove combustible or flammable coatings or preservers (bulkhead
coatings, floor coatings).
- Remove combustive materials (rubber, shrink wrap, foam insulation,
wiring, deck covering, wallboard) or ensure that they are covered with shielding materials.
- Direct hot work away from openings or cover the openings.
- Equipment such as torches and cutting and welding apparatus should
be stored so as to prevent tampering by unauthorized persons.
- Equip torch operators with hose clamps in case of accidental gas line breakage in
the line.
- If an unattended torch is found in enclosed or confined spaces,
hot work should be stopped, the area evacuated, gases secure at the source,
and test atmosphere prior to starting work.
- Develop a hot work permit program for:
- all hot work on vessels.
- hot work in designated areas shoreside.
- Ensure workers are properly trained on the hot work permit program.
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Figure 7.
Transparent material used to shield welding arc in the shop.
Figure 8. Workers removing trash
from vessel space. |
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