Can hot work be avoided?
You may be able to substitute hot work with other methods. Below are some examples:
But remember, always assess the substitutes or alternate methods for any risks or hazards. Do not introduce any new risks or hazards.
- requirement Saw or torch-cutting | Manual hydraulic shears
- requirement Welding | Mechanical bolting
- requirement Sweat soldering | Screwed or flanged pipe
- requirement Torch of radial saw cutting | Mechanical pipe cutter
Before performing hot work, what are some general good practices?
Make sure you are following your hot work procedure. Also, consider the following items:
- context Make sure that all equipment is in good operating order before work starts.
- context Make sure that all appropriate personal protective devices are available at the site and each worker has been trained on how to use, clean, and store them properly.
- context Inspect the work area thoroughly before starting. Look for combustible materials in structures (partitions, walls, ceilings).
- context Move all flammable and combustible materials away from the work area.
- context If combustibles cannot be moved, cover them with fire-resistant blankets or shields. Protect gas lines and equipment from falling sparks, hot materials, and objects.
- context Make sure that all available fire suppression systems are in good repair and operable (e.g., sprinklers, hoses, extinguishers, etc.)
- context Make sure that appropriate fire extinguishers (e.g., ABC fire extinguishers) are available and easily accessible.
- context Sweep clean any combustible materials on floors around the work zone. Combustible floors must be kept wet with water or covered with fire-resistant blankets or damp sand.
- context Use water ONLY if electrical circuits have been de-energized to prevent electrical shock.
- context Remove any spilled grease, oil, or other combustible liquid.
- context Vacuum away combustible debris from inside ventilation or other service duct openings to prevent ignition. Seal any cracks in ducts. Prevent sparks from entering into the duct work. Cover duct openings with a fire resistant barrier and inspect the ducts after work has concluded.
- context Make sure that the first-aid boxes are available and easily accessible.
- context Block off cracks between floorboards, along baseboards and walls, and under door openings, with a fire resistant material. Close doors and windows.
- context Cover wall or ceiling surfaces with a fire resistant and heat insulating material to prevent ignition and accumulation of heat.
- context Secure, isolate, and vent pressurized vessels, piping and equipment as needed before beginning hot work.
- context Inspect the area following work to ensure that wall surfaces, studs, wires or dirt have not heated up.
- context Post a trained fire watcher within the work area, including lower levels if sparks or slag may fall during welding, including during breaks, and for at least 60 minutes after work has stopped. Depending on the work done, the area may need to be monitored for longer (up to 3 or more hours) after the end of the hot work until fire hazards no longer exist.
- context Eliminate explosive atmospheres (e.g., vapours or combustible dust) or do not allow hot work. Shut down any process that produces combustible atmospheres, and continuously monitor the area for accumulation of combustible gases before, during, and after hot work.
- context If possible, schedule hot work during shutdown periods.
- context Comply with the required legislation and standards applicable to your workplace.