Safety Tip of the Week – Safety in Hot Work

Safety in Hot Work

Welding is a routine job on many worksites. However, this common task has hazards that can result in serious injury and property damage.

Experts estimate that 6% of all fires on industrial properties are caused by welding or cutting. The main cause is the sparks or hot slag welding necessarily produces.

Pre-Planning:

Pre-planning includes a hazard assessment to:

• Identify existing and potential hazards; and

• Eliminate or control these hazards.

Questions to consider before beginning hot work:

• Does everyone understand the scope of the work?

• Have all the affected employees been notified?

• Have security, emergency response personnel, and affected workers in the area been notified?

• Has the permit been filled out?

• Has the area been inspected before hot work is to start?

• Are all flammables/combustibles removed from the area?

• Has the area been evaluated to ensure that no flammable vapors are present?

• Is a fire extinguisher available?

• Are immovable fire hazards covered with a tarp or other non-combustible covering?

• Have employees been told to immediately stop hot work if conditions change, odors become present, etc., until the area is re-inspected?

Summary:

You can protect yourself from the physical hazards of welding. Correct any situations that pose a fire or electrical shock hazard. If you have a safety concern about welding hazards, don’t let it become an accident – report it to your supervisor.

“Don’t Get ‘Burned’… Practice Welding Safety”