“Hot work” is the definition of any activity involving burning, welding, or similar operations that are capable of starting fires or explosions. Hot work also includes other activities with the potential to create ignition sources, such as cutting, brazing, and grinding. Workers are exposed to potentially large risks not only in the petroleum and chemical industries, but also in the food, paper, water treatment industries, and so on.
Hot work can be conducted safely in your company with a hot work management program, the main points of which should be:
1. establish areas: Determine the areas where hot work is freely permitted, permitted with restrictions, or prohibited;
2. Authorizing hot work: To authorize hot work, create a specific form and a person responsible for this permit;
3. Using the form: If it cannot be avoided, authorize hot work by formal permit and only when the necessary precautions have been taken;
4. Enforce the policy: Ensure that employees, whether they are themselves or third parties, are aware of and comply with this policy.
The hot work permit is a document that temporarily authorizes employees and contractors to perform hot work in “permit required” areas. The permit states the appropriate safety precautions that must be observed before, during, and after work commences. The permit’s validity period is determined by the Authorizer and is valid for a maximum of one day, after which, or if conditions change, a new permit must be issued.
NR18.11 and NR34.5 define this accordingly.
NR 18 – Working Conditions and Environment in the Construction Industry.
18.11 Welding and heat-cutting operations.
18.11.1 Welding and heat-cutting operations may only be carried out by qualified workers. (118.199-8 / I2).
18.11.2 When hot welding and cutting operations are performed on lead, zinc or cadmium-coated materials, it will be mandatory the removal by local exhaust ventilation of fumes from the welding and cutting process, as well as in the use of coated electrodes. (118.200-5 / I4)
18.11.3 The device used to handle electrodes shall have proper insulation for the current used, in order to avoid the formation of arc or shock to the operator. (118.201-3 / I4)
18.11.4 In welding and hot cutting operations, it is mandatory to use effective shielding for the protection of surrounding workers. The material used in this protection must be non-combustible. (118.202-1 / I2). Ex. thermal blankets.
NR 34.5 – Hot work.
34.5 Hot Work.
34.5.1 For the purposes of this Standard it is considered hot work, welding, gouging, grinding, cutting or other activities that may generate ignition sources such as heating, spark or flame.
34.5.1.1 The protective measures include general and specific ones. The general ones apply to all activities inherent to hot work; the specific ones for work in areas not previously intended for this purpose. General Measures.
34.5.2 Preliminary Inspection
34.5.2.1 Ensure work place and adjacent areas are clean, dry, and free from combustible, flammable, toxic, and contaminating agents.
34.5.2.2 Release the area only after verifying the absence of incompatible activities.
34.5.2.3 Ensure that hot work is performed by a qualified worker.
34.5.4 Fire Protection
34.5.4.1 Eliminate or keep possible fire hazards under control.
34.5.4.2 Install adequate physical protection against fire, splashing, heat, sparks or sludge, so as to avoid contact with combustible or flammable materials, as well as interfering with parallel activities or people circulation.
34.5.4.3 Keep the firefighting system unobstructed and close to the work area, specified according to the type and quantity of flammable substances and/or fuels present.
34.5.4.4 Inspect the site and adjacent areas at the end of the work in order to prevent fire outbreaks.