Hot Work and Fire
reg 36
Why it matters
Brazing, soldering, cutting, and grinding all throw heat and sparks, and a spark can smoulder unseen for hours before it becomes a fire after everyone has gone home. Hot work near gas, dust, or flammable storage is a serious risk that a permit and a fire watch are built to control.
Hazards
- ⚠ Sparks igniting flammable materials, dust, or vapours
- ⚠ Hot work near gas lines or fuel storage
- ⚠ Smouldering material catching fire after work stops
- ⚠ Gas cylinders damaged, leaking, or poorly stored
- ⚠ No extinguisher or fire watch in place
Controls and safe practices
- ✓ Apply the hierarchy of controls (reg 36): remove flammables from the area or move the work away from them.
- ✓ Use a hot work permit and clear a fire-safe zone around the work.
- ✓ Keep an extinguisher within reach and post a fire watch during and after the work.
- ✓ Check the area at least 30 minutes after hot work finishes for smouldering.
- ✓ Store, secure, and inspect gas cylinders; check for leaks before use.
- ✓ Isolate gas lines before working near them.
Crew discussion questions
- What flammable material is near today's hot work?
- Do we have a permit, an extinguisher, and a fire watch?
- Who checks the area after we finish?
- Are the gas cylinders secured and leak-checked?
Applicable WHS citations
reg 36
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