Submitted for post by Kentucky Steve.
HOT WORK
Welding and other hot work presents significant opportunities for fires and injuries. How work is performed during any
operation involving open flames or work which produces heat and sparks. Typical operations include brazing,
open flame soldering, grinding, arc welding/cutting, oxy-fuel gas welding, hot taps, and torch applied
heat. Because of the high temperatures involved and the potential for fire and serious injury, care must
be taken to ensure that work is performed safely.
Hazards associated with hot work are:
• Fires/Explosions (hot surfaces can be ignition sources)
• Burns (Both from welding equipment itself and hot surfaces)
• Toxic fumes, particles and smoke
• Eye injuries (burn and particle)
• Electric shock
• Noise
• Cuts from grinding wheels
Fire Explosion Precautions
• Do not cut, weld, braze, or grind in the presence of combustible or flammable liquids or
atmospheres (gases, vapors, dusts)
• Do not cut, weld, braze or grind on drums, barrels, tanks, or other containers
• Inspect cracks and holes in floors, walls, and ceilings of the work area to ensure that no
combustible materials, or personnel, will be exposed to sparks, should they pass through the
cracks, hole, or penetration.
• If the object to be worked cannot readily be moved to a routine welding area, move all
combustible materials at least 35 feet from where the hot work will take place.
• If any remaining combustibles cannot be moved, protect the combustibles with appropriate
guards and covers.
• Do not mix aluminum grinding dust and iron or steel grinding dust. Such a mixture can, under
special conditions, explode. Finely divided aluminum mixed with finely divided ferrous oxide
forms Thermite, a compound that burns greater then 3,000 deg. Celsius.
Burns and Personal Injury Precautions
• Using welding curtains and shields
• Ensure adequate ventilation during the hot work process
a. Materials such as lead, cadmium, and beryllium generate toxic gases when heated to their
vaporization point.
b. Sanding, grinding, or similar activities can release dangerous respirable particles.
• Protect yourself from electrical shocks by maintaining electrical welding equipment in good
condition. Replace damaged leads immediately.
• Goggles and face shields that give maximum eye protection for each welding, flame cutting and
soldering process shall be worn by personnel performing these operations and helpers assisting in
the hot work.
a. It is not necessary to have a direct view of a welding arc to injure your eye.
Sufficient light can reflect from nearby surfaces to cause a “welders flash” especially
with prolonged exposures.
• Flame resistant gloves and jackets or aprons should be worn during welding, grinding, flame
cutting and soldering.
• Wear hearing protection for high noise levels produced by grinding or cutting
activities.
