Hot Works

Safety Minded Project

Every year fires occur, which could have been prevented had employees used appropriate fire prevention measures.
This project requires the use of the Hot Work Permit process as a primary means of preventing fires due to non-routine open flame and high temperature operations.

Safety Minded Project

Goals and Objectives: Recognize work that requires the use of Hot Work Permits Be familiar with the Hot Work Permit Process.

Safety Minded Project

Definition:
Hot Work is any work using open flames or sources of heat that could ignite materials in the work area.

Safety Minded Project

Examples of hot work: welding burning brazing propane heating or soldering oxyacetylene cutting grinding materials or metals

Why do we have a Hot Work Permit Program?

To keep you from being injured. To prevent fires. To protect Company and Contractors assets.

Hot Work Procedures

PLAN AHEAD
Before beginning hot work:

Check the area where the work is to be done Discuss it with the Crew Supervisor/Welder
Complete a Hot Work Permit form

August 1995 Fire Business School University of Georgia $12 million

Before Starting the Hot Work Project

Ask yourself: Can the job be avoided? Could this be done another way? What are the combustible materials in the area. Is equipment/tools safe for the job? Is there a fire extinguisher present? Have gas reading been performed?

HOT WORK PERMIT

Distribution of the Form

Top page (PART 1) Kept by Fire Safety personnel.

Second page (PART 2) Kept at work site and turned in to Fire Safety at completion of work.

Required Precautions Checklist

Available extinguishers are in service/operable. Hot work equipment in good repair.

Requirements Within 35 ft of Work

Flammable liquids, dust, lint and oily deposits removed. Explosive atmosphere in area eliminated. Area swept clean. Combustible floors wet down, covered with damp sand or fire-resistive sheets.

Requirements Within 35 ft of Work (Continued)

Remove other combustibles where possible. Otherwise protect with fireresistive tarpaulins or metal sheets. All wall and floor openings covered. Fire-resistive tarpaulins suspended beneath work. Ensure hot work sparks do not carry to distant combustibles/areas.

Work on Enclosed Equipment

Enclosed equipment cleaned of all combustibles. Containers purged of flammable liquids/vapors. Pressurized vessels, piping and equipment removed from service, isolated and vested.

NOTE:
When working in enclosed areas, be sure that there is an air source and adequate ventilation. Hot works uses up oxygen.

Fire Watch/Hot Work Area Monitoring

Fire watch will be provided during and for 60 minutes after work, including any coffee or lunch breaks. Fire watch is supplied with suitable extinguishers, and where practical, a charged small hose. Fire watch is trained in use of equipment and in sounding alarm.

Fire Watch/Hot Work Area Monitoring (Continued)

Fire watch may be required in adjoining areas, above and below. Monitor Hot Work area for 4 hours after job is completed.

At least one working fire extinguisher must be on hand at every Hot Works job site and the fire watch person must be trained on how to use it.

The fire watch person cannot be the person performing the Hot Works

The Sites Hot Work Program applies to all personnel. Be sure they know what is expected of them.

Insure that anyone who is performing the fire watch knows what to do if an emergency arises.
Where is the fire alarm? Who to call?

Fire Prevention Control Measures

Cutting/welding/hot work equipment in good repair and operable? Area within 35 feet of hot work area swept clean of combustibles? Are there combustibles or flammable liquids stored within 35 feet of work area?

Fire Prevention Control Measures (Continued)

If Yes - have liquids been protected with fire-proof tarps or covers or moved? Have wall and floor openings within 35 feet of work area been covered? Will hot work be performed on combustible wall or ceiling surfaces? Have combustibles been moved away from opposite side of wall or surface?

Fire Prevention Control Measures (Continued)

Will hot work be performed inside a confined space - tank, vessel, etc.? If Yes - has a confined space permit been obtained? Is there a smoke/heat detector located in the work area? If Yes - has the device been disabled to prevent activation of the fire alarm?

Fire Prevention Control Measures (Continued)

Fire watch to be provided during and 30 minutes after end of hot work operation? Fire extinguisher is readily available for fire watch? Fire watch is trained in use of equipment and activating the fire alarm system?

What Is A Fire Watch

Someone dedicated to watching the entire area in which the hot work process is being used:

Cannot be done by the person performing the hot work Must have fire extinguisher at site Must be trained to use a fire extinguisher Must know what to do in case of emergency

ALWAYS Use Personal Protective Equipment

Make sure employees know that they are required to use Personal Protective Equipment

Fire Prevention Control Measures

Keep welding equipment in good operating condition

Fire Prevention Control Measures - Contractor

If you are using cylinders, make sure equipment is in good operating condition.

After the Job Is Completed

Check the work site to insure that the work has been properly completed Check the area for signs of fire, smoke or smoldering embers Tell facility safety manager that the work is completed and ask him to check the area over the next few hours to insure that no fire has started Insure the fire alarm is enabled

Summary

Hot Work procedures are serious work functions. Explore other options before deciding on a hot work procedure. Be sure employees know what is expected of them. Always work in a safe manner.

Thank you!