This standard document describes the permit to work system to control potentially high risk hot work operations through the issue of a Hot Work Permit.
By implementing this safe work instruction organization shall ensure a safe place to work when undertaking hot works on any type and size of project.
Additional control measures may be required depending on project and local requirements of the country.
Hot Work Includes welding and cutting, brazing and the use of blow lamps, soldering equipment, bitumen boilers and other equipment producing heat, sparks or having naked flames for a non-routine operation, it does not include work in a workshop environment because a workshop is always having dedicated safety methods.
Project head is overall responsible for the implementation of this standard procedure.
References
- Risk Assessment Report
- Permit to Work
- Hot Works Checklist
- Hot Work Permit
Procedure for Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
Prior to the commencement of any hot work operations, a full hazard survey should take place to identify possible fire or explosive risks.
Based on the result of the hazard survey or risk assessment, or when indicated by a Fire Safety Plan a “Permit to Work” system for the hot works should be adopted.
A “Permit to Work” system or “Hot Work Permit” is one in which work may not commence until a responsible person has issued a written permit to carry out the hot works.
In all cases a responsible person (e.g. Fire Safety Coordinator and Safety Officers) shall issue the permit.
Risk Checklist for Hot Work
- Burn injuries to persons
- Fire damage to materials, plant and property
- Explosion in oxygen enriched and flammable atmospheres.
- Oxygen depletion in confined spaces.
- Injuries from hot or molten materials
Control Measure for Safe Hot Work Activities
a) Prior to work commencing requirements of “Hot Work Permit” should be complete.
b) Welding, cutting, brazing, blowlamps, plumbers‟ furnaces and other flame or spark producing apparatus should be operated only by skilled tradesmen.
c) Gas Cylinders should be secured in a vertical position and fitted with a regulator and flashback arrestors preferably two flash back arrestors (one behind the Torch and one at Cylinder Gauges) as a minimum one must fitted with a flash back arrestors at the cylinder. Leakage test must be conducted weekly using a soapy solution (e.g. dish wash and water).
d) All litter, rubbish and combustible material should be removed from the vicinity of the work. Where combustible material is fixed and immovable, it should be protected with noncombustible material such as sheet metal or a fire blanket.
e) Floors that might otherwise be damaged should be protected from the heat of flames and hot slag.
f) Special care should be taken to prevent flames, sparks or molten metal reaching combustible material along or down ducts, channels, chases or open-ended pipes, or through holes in walls and floors. Non-combustible material should be used for temporary plugging of holes.
g) The possibility of damage by heat which may be conducted by metal work, e.g. through partitions, should be investigated and combustible materials in contact with such metal to be removed.
h) Flame or spark producing apparatus should not be used on or near containers of flammable liquids or compressed gases or in any other area where a flammable atmosphere is present.
i) Apparatus should not be left alight when unattended.
j) Adequate number of appropriate fire fighting appliances should be placed readily to hand until all possibility of an outbreak of fire has passed.
k) Where “hot works” take place in confined spaces or enclosed areas, an adequate supply of fresh air (not oxygen) or ventilation must be provided to make up oxygen depletion.
l) Care must be taken when handling or producing molten materials, such as bitumen, lead or sparks to ensure spillage onto operatives, or other persons, does not take place.
m) If it is required to take bitumen boilers, lead heaters and the like onto roofs, then a non combustible heat insulating base should be provided to prevent heat igniting the roof.
n) Immediately after completion of work the “Danger Area” should be examined closely to ensure that there is no smoldering or incipient fire.
o) The area of any hot work must be thoroughly examined one hour after the work has finished.
p) “Danger Area” may extend to cavities, voids, rooms, cupboards, ducts or other spaces where despite precautions, flame, hot sparks or conducted heat may have penetrated.
q) The site lead engineer/manager should confirm that such an inspection has taken place.
Related Records
Permit to Work
HSE Risk Assessment Report
Hot Works Checklist
Hot Work Permit
