How does Hot work?
The works that generate the ignition of fire and fire risks are called hot work operations. The work generates hot flux, heat, flame, spark, and ignition that cause fires, and needs safety for fire risks. So “Mastering Safety in Hot Work Operations: A Comprehensive Guide” guides you to do hot work operations safely.
Types of Hot Work Operations
- Arc Welding:
- Arc Welding is also known as Electric Welding and is a very common operation in all kinds of industry, production, and construction. This operation generates high temperatures to melt the metal for joints. There are many types of this operation.
- Temperature Range: (3500 °C up to more than 20,000 °C)
- Arc Welding is also known as Electric Welding and is a very common operation in all kinds of industry, production, and construction. This operation generates high temperatures to melt the metal for joints. There are many types of this operation.
- Gas Welding:
- Gas welding is also known as Argon welding. Argon welding is also very common and used for S.S. (Stainless Steel) metal sheets and piping works. It is used in the metal industry, projects, and machinery-making industry. Due to Argon welding being a nonflammable process, argon makes an ideal option for welding.
- Temperature Range: (temperatures can reach 3,871°C)
- Gas welding is also known as Argon welding. Argon welding is also very common and used for S.S. (Stainless Steel) metal sheets and piping works. It is used in the metal industry, projects, and machinery-making industry. Due to Argon welding being a nonflammable process, argon makes an ideal option for welding.
- Grinding:
- Grinding is a metal-cutting process with the help of a grinding wheel. This process produces small hot metal particles that can make fire risk.
- Cutting:
- Cutting is also like a grinding process and produces small hot metal particles. More safety is needed in the cutting process as hot metal particles are being thrown away.
- Soldering:
- Soldering is not more dangerous for fire risks than other processes. It nonflammable process and does not have fire risk compared to other hot work processes.
- Drilling:
- The drilling process is used to make holes in metal sheets with the help of a high stainless steel drill bit. This process is a minor fire risk.
- Brazing:
- The brazing process differs from the welding process in that brazing does not melt the base metals. Therefore, brazing temperatures are lower than the melting points of the base metals.
Importance of hot work operations
There is no other process to join the metal after melting or make it a hot process. So hot work processes are essential in metal works.
Essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Hot Work Operations
Hot Work permit
Hot work permit template.
Color Identification
The red color identifies the hot work.
Logo and Title
Company Logo and Company Title with the type of permit placed at the top.
Management Section
Mostly managed by the co-operation of the engineering and production management.
Power Sources and Safety Checklist
A safety supervisor checks and ensures the lock of all power sources and tags all locks.
Deputy Worker
This section is only related to Engineering Management. A supervisor checks and signs it.
Extension of Permit Date and Time
If maintenance is not completed, engineering management must fill out this section. In case of any reason. The extension in date and time can be exceeded due to various reasons.
The Permit Completion Maintenance Supervisor checks the maintenance and signs after the permit
Important Note: Permit filling names are temporary. If any name matches the actual name I apologize.
Safety and Requirements
- Bericate Tape
- PPE for hot work
- Fire Extinguisher
- Metal or plastic sheets
Work Procedure and Safety Tips
“Safety in Hot Work Operations” is our top priority to make the heat work safely.
- make a checklist of all the equipment used in the hot work process like welding, grinding, and cutting.
- Take a Work Order and work permit from the engineer or HSE/EHS officer.
- Power off the machine that you want under the work process. All machines in the around 10-foot circle should be powered off.
- Clear the area about 10 feet around the machine and remove fluff from the machine and floor. A 10-foot area is the minimum requirement for welding.
- Bericate the area where you want to perform welding.
- Depute trained EHS workers and available fire extinguishers.
- Disputes trained fire watches to watch areas where fire is at risk.
- Place some safety sheets around the work area.
- Put a metal body tub with water filled under the welding point where the welding hot flux falls. It cools down the temperature of flux and does not let flux go away from the welding point.
- Before Starting the welding or other hot work process, ensure the supply of material is cut off, locked out, and tag out the machine.
- Depute a fire watch to look after during rest or break time.
- Firewatches should take 30 minutes of watch time after the work process. To prevent any incidents.
- Clear the area and remove barricades, sheets, and all safety types of equipment. Check the welding under pressure.
“Safety in Hot Work Operations” gives you guidelines till the end of the hot work.
What does hot work mean?
Hot work means work that produces heat, hot flux, and friction which can cause fire. It involves electric or gas welding, cutting, brazing, and flame or spark-producing operations.
What are hot work activities?
- Electric or gas welding
- Cut with a grinder, gas cutter, and ignition system.
- Brazzling Operation
- Making holes in metal
- Friction of metals for continuous and long time
Is welding hot work?
Yes, welding is a hot work operation.
What are hot work accidents?
Fires and explosions are common hazards in hot work.
What is a fire watcher?
A person deputed by the EHS department to watch out for the hazard of fire during hot work.