Hot work

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Hot work refers to any process that involves open flames, sparks, or heat-producing tools and equipment. [1] [2] The term "hot work" is commonly used in industrial and regulatory contexts, often carrying specific safety and compliance requirements governed by fire codes and occupational safety standards.

Contents

Common hot work processes involve welding, soldering, cutting, brazing and the use of powder-actuated tools or similar fire producing operations. These processes produce sparks or heat which can ignite flammable materials around the work area or flammable gases and vapors in the workspace. [3]

Types of hot work

Welding

Gas Metal Arc Welding GMAW.welding.af.ncs.jpg
Gas Metal Arc Welding

The process of joining two pieces of metal or plastic together through an electrode. [4] Several forms of welding exist, including:

Welding temperatures vary depending on the type of electrode, but is typically higher than soldering. [5]

De-soldering of a 1210 capacitor using no flux. Soldering a 0805.jpg
De-soldering of a 1210 capacitor using no flux.

Soldering

Soldering is the same type of joining process as welding but uses different filler material called solder and operates at under 450 degrees Celsius (841 degrees Fahrenheit). [5] Soldering is commonly used in circuit boards and copper pipes in plumbing.

Brazing

Brazing is used in applications to join close fitting members in the range of 0.001 to 0.005 inches. [6] Brazing operations are conducted at temperatures above 450 degrees Celsius.

Cutting

Cutting processes that produce sparks fall under the category of hot work. Examples include sparks produced from saw cutting and grinding. [7] [8]

Safety

Aviation mechanic practicing brazing techniques Brazing practice.jpg
Aviation mechanic practicing brazing techniques

The safety concerns associated with hot work activities can vary significantly depending on the specific processes involved and the environmental conditions of the workplace. Although nearly every hot work job is unique in some way, they typically share common fire-related hazards. To address these risks, general safe work practices can be implemented:

While hot work is inherently hazardous, using the methods listed above along with the hierarchy of controls is widely recognized as a best practice for maintaining safety during these types of activities.

Fire watch

OSHA Fact Sheet for Fire Watch Safety during Hot Work in Shipyards OSHA Fire Watch Safety during Hot Work in Shipyards.png
OSHA Fact Sheet for Fire Watch Safety during Hot Work in Shipyards

Fire watch is a short-term safety work practice that involves one or more individuals continuously monitoring a building, or a specific area within it, to detect and address fire hazards during hot work operations or during periods of life safety system impairments. [9]

During hot work activities, fire watch is intended to ensure that hot work byproducts (sparks, slag, metal, etc.) do not affect the surrounding workplace or spread to other areas. Fire watch duties must be carried out by at least two individuals. In the United States, OSHA specifies that the person performing the hot work cannot also serve as the fire watch. [10]

Fire watch duties include:

Hot work permit

In some countries, such as the UK and Canada, [14] a hot work permit is required for hot work. [15] The purpose of a hot work permit is to effect "the employer's written authorization to perform hot working operations". [16] The UK's Health and Safety Executive suggests that a hot work permit should specify:

Confined spaces

Air quality testing for hazardous atmospheres inside a manhole Confined spaces team keeps manhole work safe 160226-F-EB935-003.jpg
Air quality testing for hazardous atmospheres inside a manhole

Confined spaces present a unique challenge with hot work for several reasons. Hot work performed in storage tanks, pipelines, and sewers present a risk of explosion due to the presence of flammable gasses. [18] Physical and chemical hazards in confined spaces are:

In the united states, OSHA requires confined spaces where hot work is done to acquire a permit for hot work. [19] General requirements for hot work include: [20]

There are several specific circumstances in which an employer may qualify for exemptions from parts of the regulation, such as when the hazard present is solely a hazardous atmosphere and forced ventilation is utilized.

International standards and adoption of hot work safety practices

Most countries in the world use their own rules and regulations that have different responsibilities for both the employer and employee regarding safety and risk mitigation in the workplace, while some countries lack these rules or struggle to enforce them. The International Fire Code Chapter 35 presents a general framework for countries to adopt and utilize in the building of their own safety regulations regarding hot work. [21]

Agencies, governments, and/or safety organizations that have adopted some version of hot work safety practices

See also

References

  1. Burgess, Holly (2023-10-06). "Hot Work: More than Welding, Cutting, and Burning". www.nfpa.org. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  2. "29 CFR Part 1910 Subpart Q -- Welding, Cutting and Brazing". www.ecfr.gov. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  3. "Fire Watch Duties during Hot Work" (PDF).
  4. "Welding 101: A Supervisor's Guide". Archived from the original on 2024-07-03. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  5. 1 2 Humpston, Giles; Jacobson, David M. (2004). Principles of Soldering. ASM International. ISBN   978-1-61503-170-2.
  6. "Understanding Brazing Fundamentals". 2014-02-27. Archived from the original on 2014-02-27. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  7. Mcdonald, Timothy; Rummer, Bob (June 2010). "Temperature variations and spark generations from rock contact in hot saws". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  8. Guillen, Anthony; Goh, Fang; Andre, Julie; Barral, Amaury; Brochet, Clement; Louis, Quentin; Guillet, Thibault (2019). "From the microstructure of steels to the explosion of sparks". Emergent Scientist. 3: 2. doi: 10.1051/emsci/2019001 . ISSN   2556-8779.
  9. Rudilosso, Frank D. (2020-10-19). "Defining a fire watch for NFPA compliance | HFM Magazine". www.hfmmagazine.com. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  10. "Fire Watch Duties during Hot Work" (PDF).
  11. "Chapter 35 Welding and Other Hot Work – 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) Section 3504.2.6 Fire Extinguisher". codes.iccsafe.org. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  12. "Choosing and Using Fire Extinguishers". U.S. Fire Administration. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  13. "Chapter 35 Welding and Other Hot Work – 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) Section 3504.2.1 When Required". codes.iccsafe.org. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  14. "Welding - Hot Work : OSH Answers". 14 February 2022.
  15. Hughes, Phil; Ferrett, Ed (2005), Introduction to health and safety at work: the handbook for the NEBOSH national general certificate (2nd ed.), Butterworth-Heinemann, p. 84, ISBN   978-0-7506-6623-7 .
  16. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 1910.146 - Permit-required confined spaces, accessed 7 December 2019
  17. Health and Safety Executive, Safety in gas welding, cutting and similar processes, INDG297, published May 2012, accessed 7 December 2019
  18. productioneditor (2024-10-23). "Improving worker safety in confined space entry and hot work operations: Best practices for high-risk industries". Global Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  19. "Confined Spaces". Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  20. "1910.146 - Permit-required confined spaces". Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  21. "Chapter 35 Welding and Other Hot Work – 2021 International Fire Code (IFC)". codes.iccsafe.org. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  22. "1910 Subpart Q: Welding, Cutting and Brazing".
  23. "OSHA 1915 Subpart D - Welding, Cutting and Heating".
  24. "OSHA 1917 Subpart G: Related Terminal Operations and Equipment".
  25. "1926 Subpart J - Welding and Cutting".
  26. "The Confederation of Fire Protection Associations Europe: Fire safety basics for hot work operatives" (PDF). January 2023.
  27. "The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: Part 2 Fire Safety Duties".
  28. "Workplace Safety and Health (Shipbuilding and Ship-Repairing) Regulations 2008 - Singapore Statutes Online". sso.agc.gov.sg. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  29. "Order of the Government of the Russian Federation "About Approval of Rules of Fire Prevention Regime in the Russian Federation"". cis-legislation.com. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  30. "NFPA 51B Standard Development". www.nfpa.org. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  31. "Chapter 35 Welding and Other Hot Work – 2024 International Fire Code (IFC)". codes.iccsafe.org. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  32. "National Institute of Standards & Technology: Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work". doi.org. Retrieved 2025-09-03.