According to insurance industry statistics, hot work operations are one of the largest causes of fire loss in the workplace. Any work that produces heat or sparks, such as welding, cutting, brazing, soldering, grinding and similar tasks, qualifies as hot work.
In addition to a high frequency of fires, hot work fire losses also tend to be severe. The best way to minimize the potential for these types of fires is to use a hot work permit system that requires all employees and contractors to follow specific guidelines when performing hot work.
A written hot work permit and program helps to ensure that all precautions have been taken to reduce the risk of fire. Permits do not need to be issued when hot work operations are performed in designated areas that have been cleared of hazards. For example, a hot work permit would not be necessary in a welding shop; however, if welding is performed on a loading dock, a hot work permit should be issued.
The following sections describe the information that should be included on a hot work permit:
Permit Authorization—The hot work permit should contain the following information:
Most organizations develop a hot work permit that can be used by both employees and contractors. Additional supervision should be provided whenever contractors are performing hot work, as they are less familiar with the hazards of the facility.
Permit Posting— Hot work permits should be printed on a highly visible color of paper (e.g., hot pink, bright orange) and posted in a prominent location in the work area. This lets other employees and contractors know that hot work is being conducted in the area.
Precautions and Safeguards—The precautions and safeguards that should be taken when performing hot work will vary in each situation. The supervisor authorizing the permit should verify that all hazards have been controlled in the hot work area before any work begins.
Evaluate the following hot work precautions and safeguards prior to authorization:
Hot work should not be authorized until hazardous conditions have been eliminated. Never take a shortcut, even if the hot work will only be performed for a few minutes.
A fire watch should be maintained in the work area during all hot work operations and for at least 60 minutes after work has been completed. Fire watch personnel should not leave for breaks, lunch or other reasons, unless relieved by another person. Other important elements of an effective hot work fire watch are:
All employees involved in hot work operations should receive training on the hot work permit system. Training should occur initially and as needed when deficiencies are noted. All training should be documented with the names of employee, trainer and date of training.