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eTools Home : Shipyard Employment Scope | Glossary | Additional Resources | Viewing / Printing Instructions | Credits General Requirements Shipbuilding Ship Repair Shipbreaking Barge Cleaning PPE Selection » Hot Work   Figure 1: Illustrates a "safe" set-up for hot work where PPE is required.   The OSHA Hierarchy of Controls  Engineering Controls Administration Controls Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Hot work exposes workers to: Molten metal Toxic gases Fumes and vapors Harmful radiation Excessive noise Electrical shock Fire hazards. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be selected to protect the worker from these hazards. [1915.152] Fire watches in the area will require similar PPE. The PPE specified for hot work will protect the worker from illness and injury during hot work operations. Hot work operations include: Gas Welding and Cutting   Electric Arc Welding (for example stick, mig, and tig) Carbon Arcing or Plasma Arc Cutting Each of these operations may present unique hazards. Use of the following PPE will provide protection: Respiratory Protection Eye Protection Protective Clothing Foot Protection Hand Protection Review the General Shipyard Worker PPE before proceeding with this section. Gas Welding and Cutting The PPE required when performing this operation must provide protection from: Hot metal, Metal fumes and welding gases, Noise from high oxygen-burners Infrared Radiation PPE must be used if adequate engineering and administrative controls are not feasible to control the hazards. Each welding or cutting operation, depending on the the materials welded on and the type of of welding method, has specific safety and health hazards from which workers must be protected. A Hazard Assessment is required by 1915.152 to protect workers from the hazards associated with these operations. Figure 2: Worker brazing on a pipe. Back to Top Electric Arc Welding The PPE required when performing this operation must provide protection from: Ultraviolet and infrared radiation Metal fumes and welding gases Electrical current Hot metal Noise PPE must be used if adequate engineering and administrative controls are not feasible to control the hazards. Each welding or cutting operation, depending on the materials welded on and the type of of welding method, has specific safety and health hazards from which workers must be protected.  A Hazard Assessment is required by 1915.152 to protect workers from the hazards associated with these operations.   Figure 3: Arc welding lead (stinger). Figure 4: Radiant energy and gases from arc welding. Back to Top   Carbon Arcing/Plasma Arc Cutting The PPE required when performing this operation must provide protection from: Noise Fumes and gases Ultraviolet and infrared radiation Electrical current Hot metal PPE must be used if adequate engineering and administrative controls are not feasible to control the hazards. Each arc cutting operation, depending on the the materials used and the type of of application, has specific safety and health hazards from which workers must be protected. A Hazard Assessment is required by 1915.152 to protect workers from the hazards associated with these operations.   Figure 5: Welder carbon arcing. Back to Top Respiratory Protection Hot work performed on the materials list below have special requirements as follows: Confined and Enclosed Spaces Hot work performed on surfaces containing lead, cadmium, or mercury require an air-line respirator to be used if local exhaust ventilation is not provided or effective. [1915.51(d)(2)] Hot work performed on surfaces covered with toxic preservatives require an air-line respirator to be used if toxic coatings have not been stripped back at least four inches. [1915.53(d)(1)] Other workers exposed to the same atmosphere as the worker must be protected in the same manner. [1915.51(d)(4)] Hot work performed on beryllium requires local exhaust ventilation and air-line respirators. [1915.51(d)(2)(iv)] If the ventilation equipment blocks access to the space, air-line respirators as well as a stand-by employee must be available. [1915.51(c)(3)] Open Air Hot work performed on surfaces containing lead, cadmium, or mercury require air purifying respirators to be used. [1915.51(d)(3)] Hot work performed on surfaces covered with toxic preservatives require a filter type respirator to be used. [1915.53(d)(2)] Other workers exposed to the same atmosphere as the worker shall be protected in the same manner. [1915.51(d)(4)] Hot work performed on beryllium requires air-line respirators to be used. [1915.51(d)(3)] Figure 6: Welder with air-line respirator. Figure 7: Welder with air-purifying respirator. Note: There are additional PPE requirements for Health Related Hazards (such as, Lead [1910.1025], Arsenic [1910.1018], Asbestos [1915.1001], Cadmium [1910.1027]).   For more detailed information, review Respiratory Protection. Back to Top Eye and Face Protection Hot work always produces significant eye and face hazards, including exposure to ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation. Welding, Cutting and Burning Goggles Dark cutting or burning goggles must be used to protect the eyes from UV and IR light. A face shield used in conjunction with safety goggles or glasses may be used when necessary. The proper lens shade number for the operation must be used. [1915.153(a)(4)] Welding Hood with Dark Glass Welding hoods with appropriately dark glass viewing ports must be used while carbon arcing to protect the worker's face, neck, and eyes from the arc’s UV and IR light. The proper lens shade number for the operation must be used. [1915.153(a)(4)] Figure 8: Burner with goggles inspecting hose. Figure 9: Arc welding with hood. Back to Top Protective Clothing Hot work produces burn hazards in the form of heat, sparks, slag, and light radiation. Protection from sparks and slag must be provided. (1915.157) Note: Leather or other fire retardant garments provide such protection if they are free of flammable or combustible materials such as oil, grease, or solvents. To minimize burn hazards, remove all combustible items such as lighters or matches from pockets. To prevent slag and sparks from being caught in clothing, tape pockets and avoid wearing frayed clothing. Protection from carbon arcing flash (UV and IR light) is required. Cotton or wool long-sleeved and long-legged clothing can be used. Fire-retardant hoods should be used. Figure 10: Welder with protective clothing. Back to Top   Foot Protection Hot work operations usually expose the worker’s feet to the hazard of falling or dropped objects, and sparks and slag. Spats with safety shoes may be used in lieu of high-top boots. High-top safety boots should be worn with the legs of the protective clothing over them to prevent slag from entering. Note: Safety boots should be fully laced or zipped. This gear protects the feet from falling or dropped objects. Figure 11: High-top safety boots. Back to Top Hand Protection (e.g., Gloves) Hot work operations expose the worker’s hands to burns and cuts. Long-cuffed leather gloves free of flammable or combustible materials must be used while carbon arcing. Leather gloves (or equivalent) free of flammable or combustible materials must be used while welding, cutting, or burning. [1915.157] Figure 12: Welder leather gloves. Back to Top   eTools Home : Shipyard Employment Scope | Glossary | Additional Resources | Viewing / Printing Instructions | Credits

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