During hot work operations, supervisors, workers, and fire watch personnel have distinct roles and responsibilities to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. A hot work management program is essential to control or eliminate hot work hazards and their risks, including policies, procedures, and assigned responsibilities. [4]

Supervisors:

• Accountable for non-compliance with health and safety legislation.
• Ensure workers work in compliance with legislation.
• Ensure workers use prescribed protective equipment.
• Inform workers of potential and actual hazards.
• Provide workers with written instructions on safety measures and procedures.
• Take every reasonable precaution for the protection of workers.
• Investigate reports of hazards.
• Ensure pre-entry testing and inspection is conducted based on written procedures.
• Ensure precautions are followed.
• Ensure only authorized workers enter a confined space.

[9] [9] [9] [10] [10] [10] [12] [7] Workers:

• Use personal protection and safety equipment as required.
• Follow safe work procedures.
• Comply with all regulations.
• Work in compliance with applicable legislation.
• Report workplace hazards, incidents, and occupational diseases.
• Work in a safe manner and use prescribed safety equipment.
• Report any missing or defective equipment.
• Use equipment in accordance with training and instruction.
• Inspect equipment before use.
• Refrain from wearing protective equipment outside the work area if it would constitute a hazard.
• Report any equipment malfunction to the supervisor or employer.

[7] [7] [7] [10] [10] [10] [10] [8] Fire Watch Personnel:

• Trained to monitor the work area for fire hazards during and after hot work.
• Monitor the area, including lower levels, for at least 60 minutes after work has stopped, or longer depending on the hazards.
• Ensure fire suppression systems are in good repair and operable.
• Be aware of potential ignition sources and ensure combustible materials are moved away or covered with fire-resistant materials.
• Maintain communication to alert workers of potential fire hazards.

[2] [6] [5] General Safety Practices:

• Ensure all equipment is in good operating order.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Inspect the work area for combustible materials.
• Move flammable materials away from the work area or cover them with fire-resistant blankets.
• Ensure appropriate fire extinguishers are available and easily accessible.
• Sweep clean any combustible materials on floors.
• Remove any spilled grease, oil, or other combustible liquids.
• Block off cracks to prevent sparks from spreading.
• Secure, isolate, and vent pressurized vessels, piping, and equipment.
• Inspect the area after work to ensure no wall surfaces, studs, or wires have heated up.

[6] [6] [6] [6] [6] [6] [6] [6] [6] [6] Permits and Atmospheric Testing:

• Issue a hot work permit for hot work operations conducted on or near a covered process.
• Document that fire prevention and protection requirements have been implemented prior to beginning hot work.
• Indicate the authorized dates for hot work and identify the object on which work is to be performed.
• Keep the permit on file until completion of the hot work operations.
• Conduct suitable tests to indicate whether the atmosphere contains a flammable substance.
• Ensure that work procedures have been implemented to ensure continuous safe performance of the work.
• Conduct tests at intervals appropriate to the work being performed and record the results.

[3] [3] [1] [1] Training:

• Provide training so that all employees acquire the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of their duties.
• Provide training before the employee is first assigned duties, before there is a change in assigned duties, whenever there is a change in permit space operations that presents a hazard, and whenever the employer has reason to believe there are deviations from the permit space entry procedures or inadequacies in the employee's knowledge.
• Establish employee proficiency in the duties required and introduce new or revised procedures as necessary.
• Certify that the training has been accomplished, including each employee's name, the signatures or initials of the trainers, and the dates of training.

[11] [11] [11] By adhering to these defined roles, responsibilities, and safety duties, hot work operations can be conducted safely, minimizing the risk of fire, explosions, and injuries.