Hot Work Permit Procedure

Purpose. This procedure describes when a hot work permit is required, how it is raised, authorised and closed, and the fire precautions that must be in place before welding, cutting or grinding starts outside a designated hot work bay.

1.Scope

Hot work is any activity that produces flame, sparks or heat capable of igniting flammable material, including welding, oxy fuel cutting, plasma cutting, grinding and heating with a torch. Bays 1 and 2 at Dandenong South are designated hot work areas and do not require a permit for routine work at the welding benches. All other locations, including the paint and blast area, the stores, vehicles and every customer site, require a permit under this procedure.

2.Raising the permit

The worker who will carry out the hot work must complete the hot work permit form before starting. The form records the location, the task, the equipment, the fire hazards within ten metres and the precautions taken. The permit must be authorised by the supervisor, who must physically inspect the area before signing. A permit is valid for one shift only and must be re-issued if the location or task changes.

• Complete all sections of the hot work permit form
• Supervisor inspects the area and signs the authorisation
• Permit displayed at the work location for the duration of the task
• On customer sites the customer's permit is used and attached to the job card

3.Precautions before starting

Flammable and combustible material must be removed from within ten metres or covered with fire blankets. Drains, pits and cable trays near the work must be covered. A suitable fire extinguisher must be within reach and a fire watch must be posted where sparks can fall into areas the welder cannot see. Gas cylinders must be secured upright with flashback arrestors fitted and hoses inspected.

4.During and after the work

The fire watch must remain in place during the work and for thirty minutes after the last hot work, checking for smouldering material. Fume extraction must be positioned and running for all welding. When the task is complete the worker and the supervisor must sign the close-out section of the permit and the permit must be filed with the job card.

5.Stopping work

Hot work must stop immediately if a gas alarm sounds, if flammable material is discovered, if the fire watch leaves, or if conditions change in a way not covered by the permit. The permit is then cancelled and a new permit is required to restart.

6.Records

Closed permits will be kept with the job card for seven years. The Quality and Safety Manager will audit a sample of permits each month for completeness and will record findings in the corrective action log.