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.
- 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.
Important Safety Note:
Always verify safety information with your organization's specific guidelines and local regulations.
References
Page links are approximateOccupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHA 29 CFR 1910) - 1910.119 - Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals
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Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHA 29 CFR 1910) - 1910.146 - Permit-required confined spaces
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