HOT WORK PROCEDURE

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this standard is to document the control procedures for hot work in hazardous situations.

2. SCOPE

This standard shall apply to all situations when hot work is being done outside designated workshops.

3. REFERENCES

4. DEFINITIONS

Hot work
Hot work is welding, cutting, grinding or any operation likely to cause flames, sparks or a significant rise in temperature in proximity to flammable or explosive materials and/or atmosphere.

Competent Person
A competent person is a person who through a combination of training, education and experience, acquired knowledge and skills enabling that person to perform correctly a specified task.

Responsible Person
A responsible person is a competent person, authorised in writing by the plant or process owner, to undertake specific hot work tasks as required.

5. PROCEDURE

5.1 Permits

Hot work permits shall be completed in duplicate.

A hot work permit shall be issued prior to the commencement of any hot work.

A hot work permit shall only remain valid for ONE shift.

Before authorisation can be given for any person to perform hot work, the plant or process owner shall carry out a risk assessment and complete their section of the hot work permit.

Where precautions are required, the hot work permit shall include details of specific action, test and work methods required to ensure the safety of the persons performing the work and the integrity of the system.

5.2 Authority To Work

The hot work permit shall be referred to the issuing officer when the process owner has made safe the plant or process.

The issuing officer shall ensure that all sections of the hot work permit have been completed.

5.3 Termination Of Permit

When the work covered by the hot work permit and fire checks are completed, the designated responsible person shall advise the plant or process owner.

When advised that the work has been completed, the plant or process owner shall inspect the hot work to ensure that the work is complete and the area is clean, tidy and fire checks have been performed.

The plant or process owner shall forward the completed hot work permit and risk assessment to the Occupational Health & Safety Co-ordinator.

5.4 Original permit to be kept at job, duplicate to be forwarded to Occupational Health & Safety Co-ordinator.

5.5 Location: Hot work permit shall be required for all hot work outside designated workshops.

6. DOCUMENTATION
Hot work permit. (Form 001)

7. RESPONSIBILITIES
7.1 Engineering Manager/Mechanical Supervisor

The Engineering Manager/Mechanical Superintendent shall:
• issue hot work permits for surface work.

7.2 Safety Co-ordinator

The Safety Co-ordinator shall keep and maintain duplicate hot work permits for five (5) years.