Hot Work Permits
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Why are we here?
Every year fires occur, which could have been prevented had employees
used appropriate fire prevention measures.
The SEFSC requires the use of the Hot Work Permit system as a primary
means of preventing fires due to non-routine open flame and high
temperature processes.
Goals and Objectives:
At the end of this session you will:
- Recognize work that requires the use of Hot Work Permits.
- Recognize the hazards and safety
precautions associated with Hot Work.
- Be familiar with the Hot Work Permit System.
DEFINITIONS:
Designated
Safe Hot Work Area - An area that have been designed and constructed
to perform open flame or spark producing work with adequate
ventilation. Normally located within shop bays a
designated welding area typically meets the following criteria:
Floors
swept and clean of combustibles within 35 ft. of work area; Flammable
and combustible liquids and material maintained 35 ft. from the hot
work area; Adequate ventilation providing 20 air changes per hour,
such as a suction hood system should be provided to the work area; At
least one 10 lb. dry chemical fire extinguisher should be within easy
access of the 35 ft. work area; Protective dividers such as welding
curtains or non-combustible walls should be provided to contain sparks
and slag to the combustible free area.
Fire
Watch - An individual specifically assigned to observe ongoing hot
work in order to watch out for and react to incipient stage fires
resulting from operations.
Hot Work - Any work using open flames or sources of heat that
could ignite materials in the work area.
Hot Work Permit - A special permit
issued by the Facility Manager, Engineering, or the Area Safety
representative which authorizes hot work activities at a specific
location.
Examples of hot work are:
- welding
- burning
- brazing
- propane soldering
- oxyacetylene cutting
- grinding ferrous metals
Procedures:
Before beginning hot work, contact the Facility Manager,
Maintenance/Engineering Department, or Area Safety Representative to
have a Hot Work Permit issued.
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Permits are issued for the specific
job being done, and for a specific time period. The time period
is usually for the working shift, but may never exceed
twenty-four hours. |
The Facility Manager, Maintenance/Engineering Department, or Area Safety
Representative have the responsibility to verify that all necessary
precautions have been taken at the worksite.
Necessary Precautions
- Sprinklers are in service.
- Cutting and welding equipment in good repair.
Precautions within 35 ft. of
work
- Floors swept clean of combustibles.
- Combustible floors wet down, covered with damp sand or
fire-resistive sheets.
- Flammable liquids removed; other combustibles, if not
removed protected with fire-resistive tarpaulins or metal
shields.
- Explosive atmosphere in area eliminated.
- All wall and floor openings covered.
- Fire-resistive tarpaulins suspended beneath work.
Requirements within 50' of
work
Work on Walls or Ceilings
- Construction is noncombustible and without combustible
covering or isolation.
- Combustibles moved away from other side of wall.
Work on Enclosed Equipment
- Enclosed equipment cleaned of all combustibles.
- Containers purged of flammable liquids.
Fire Watch
- Fire watch will be provided during and for at least 30
minutes after work, and during any coffee or lunch breaks.
- Fire watch is supplied with suitable extinguishers, or
charged small hose.
- Fire watch is trained in use of this equipment and in
sounding alarm.
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Necessary Precautions
- Sprinklers are in service
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Welding and other hot work have been found to be high ranking causes of
industrial fires. Sprinkler systems must remain in service in the hot
work area, unless specifically approved by the Facility Manager,
Maintenance/Engineering Department, or Area Safety Representative.
Gas hoses, backflow preventers, fire resistive tarpaulins, curtains and
other cutting and welding equipment must be in good repair before the
permit is issued.
| Necessary Precautions
Precautions within 35 ft. of
hot work.
- Floors swept clean of combustibles.
- Combustible floors wet down, covered with damp sand or
fire-resistive sheets.
- Flammable liquids removed; other combustibles, if not
removed protected with fire-resistive tarpaulins or metal
shields.
- Explosive atmosphere in area eliminated.
- All wall and floor openings covered.
- Fire-resistive tarpaulins suspended beneath work.
Work on Walls or Ceilings
- Construction is noncombustible and without combustible
covering or isolation.
- Combustibles moved away from other side of wall.
Work on Enclosed Equipment
- Enclosed equipment cleaned of all combustibles.
- Containers purged of flammable liquids.
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Anything that can burn must be removed from the immediate work area.
| Necessary Precautions
Fire Watch
- Fire watch will be provided during and for at least 30
minutes after work, and during any coffee or lunch breaks.
- Fire watch is supplied with suitable extinguishers, or
charged small hose.
- Fire watch is trained in use of this equipment and in
sounding alarm.
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Should other precautions fail, trained personnel will be needed with
fire fighting equipment to extinguish any fires which start. Personnel
and equipment must be readily available before the permit is issued.
Fire Watch Personnel may not do other jobs which detract from
their primary responsibility.
Fire Watch Personnel must be trained to use fire extinguishment media
provided.
Fire Watch Personnel must be aware of how to report emergencies, and
in emergency evacuation procedures.
Fire Watch Personnel must be identified and their qualifications
verified, before permits are issued.
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Necessary Precautions
CAN THE JOB BE AVOIDED?
IS THERE A SAFER WAY?
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Before beginning any hot work, ask yourself if the work can be done a
safer way. Hot work is very hazardous and should be avoided if not
absolutely necessary.
Final Checkup By Welder
Work area and all adjacent areas to which sparks and heat might
have spread (such as floors above and below and on opposite side
of walls) were inspected after the work was completed and were
found fire safe.
Signed: ___________________________
After signing, return to person who issued it. |
Before leaving the area for the day, verify that no smoldering fires
have developed within walls, cracks in floors, or in ceiling areas where
you have been working. Return the work permit to the person who issued
it within 30 minutes of job completion, so that they may complete
any necessary job follow-up.
Summary:
- Jobs like electric arc welding, brazing, gas soldering, and
oxygen-acetylene cutting and welding require hot work permits be
issued by the Facility Manager, Maintenance/Engineering Department,
or Area Safety Representative.
- Permits are issued for a specific job, for a specific time frame,
to a specific person.
- All necessary equipment must be on site and in good working order
before work begins.
- A fire watch must be present for the duration of hot work and for
at least 30 minutes after work is done.
- A fire inspection must be conducted by the person doing the hot
work before leaving the job site.
- Permits are to be returned to the person who issued them.
Where to Get Help
Your supervisor is responsible for all necessary equipment and for
contacting the Facility Manager, Maintenance/Engineering Department, or
Area Safety Representative.
The Facility Manager, Maintenance/Engineering Department, or Area
Safety Representative will issue all permits and answer any specific
questions about fire protection systems, fire prevention measures, and
precautions.
The Area Safety Representative can answer any questions regarding
other hazards, such as welding light or fumes.
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