Hot work

Hot work is a process that can be a source of ignition when flammable material is present or can be a fire hazard regardless of the presence of flammable material in the workplace. Common hot work processes involve welding, soldering, cutting, brazing burning and the use of powder-actuated tools or similar fire producing operations outside of designated hot work areas. When flammable materials are not present, industrial processes such as grinding and drilling become cold work processes.^[1]

In some countries, such as the UK and Canada,^[2] a hot work permit is required for hot work.^[1] The purpose of a hot work permit is to effect "the employer's written authorization to perform hot working operations".^[3] The UK's Health and Safety Executive suggests that a hot work permit should specify:

what work will be done;
how and when it is to be done;
what safety and health precautions are needed;
who is responsible for checking it is safe for the work to start;
who will check that the work is done safely;
who is responsible for confirming that work is complete and there is no longer a risk from, or to, the people doing the work.^[4]

Safety

When performing hot work, welders must assess the risk of fire in the work area and implement certain safety precautions if a threat is detected. The establishment of a fire watch is the most important precaution a welder can take against an accidental fire on a job site. Either the welder himself or an appointed laborer must become designated for a fire watch and stay in the area of the hot work for no less than 2 hours after the last of the hot work has been completed. This designated fire watch person must have a fire extinguisher and access to phone in case of a fire.^[5]

Standards

In the United States, OSHA maintains regulations for hot work in the marine industrial setting. The following regulations apply:

Other relevant literature is:

API RP 2009 : Safe Welding, Cutting, and Hot Work Practices in the Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries, published by the American Petroleum Institute (API).^[6]