PATRICK HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

GORDON’S TITLE: HOTWORK SAFE WORK PROCEDURE

CONSTRUCTION
DOCUMENT NUMBER: LII-PGCL-SWP-004 REVISION NUMBER: 3
LIMITED
ISSUE DATE: 03/01/2012 REVIEW DATE: 15/06/2017

HOTWORK SAFE WORK PROCEDURE

1.0 Preamble:
While hot work usually involving brazing, cutting, grinding, soldering, and welding
operations is useful and necessary activities, they represent special hazards potential
fire ignition sources or generate heat sufficient to start fires or ignite explosive gases.
Control of such fire potential is a priority at PGCL.

1.2 Scope
These procedures are intended to protect life, health and property from fire and the
products of combustion, which might result from the use of welding and cutting
equipment, open flames and ignition sources. All employees of PGCL and outside
contractors/sellers/service companies involved in the use of flame or spark-producing
equipment on premises are required to conform to these guidelines.

1.3 Purpose:
To reduce the possibility of personal injury and property damage due to accidental
fire and / or explosion during the use of flame and spark producing equipment. To
promote fire safety while using hot work equipment including brazing, cutting,
soldering, grinding, and welding operations, or other spark producing or open flame
devices, particularly when used outside of specially designed maintenance areas. To
promote awareness of conditions and situations this can lead to accidental fire or
explosion and outline measures which can be taken to eliminate fire risks.

1.4 Supervisor’s Responsibilities

1. Perform site-specific inspections of the hot work area to identify flammable

materials, hazardous processes, or other potential fire hazards that could be present

2. Ensure the protection of combustibles from the ignition by meeting the following
criteria: Moving hot work to a location free of combustible materials

3. If work cannot be moved, sweep combustible to a safe distance from the operation
or shielding from ignition source.

4. Provide appropriate PPE based upon a hazard assessment for employees

performing the task

5. Sprinkler heads or fire alarm systems shall not be covered or manipulated during
hot work operations. Hot work operations to have a designated area.

6. Provide appropriate fire extinguishing equipment in the hot work area or locate one
in the building that is reasonably accessible for the duration of the hot work and for
30 minutes following the task.

AUTHORISED BY: Managing Director Page | 1

This document contains proprietary information and must not be published, reproduced,
copied, disclosed or used for any purpose without the approval of PGCL.
 PATRICK HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
GORDON’S TITLE: HOTWORK SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
CONSTRUCTION
DOCUMENT NUMBER: LII-PGCL-SWP-004 REVISION NUMBER: 3
LIMITED
ISSUE DATE: 03/01/2012 REVIEW DATE: 15/06/2017

2.0 Procedures:

1. Make sure that all equipment is in good operating order before work starts.
2. Inspect the work area thoroughly before starting. Look for combustible materials
in structures (partitions, walls, ceilings).
3. Sweep clean any combustible materials on floors around the work zone.
Combustible floors must be kept wet with water or covered with fire resistant
blankets or damp sand.
4. Use water ONLY if electrical circuits have been de-energized to prevent electrical
shock.
5. Remove any spilled grease, oil, or other combustible liquid.
6. Move all flammable and combustible materials away from the work area.
7. If combustibles cannot be moved, cover them with fire resistant blankets or
shields. Protect gas lines and equipment from falling sparks, hot materials and
objects.
8. Block off cracks between floorboards, along baseboards and walls, and under
door openings, with a fire resistant material. Close doors and windows.
9. Cover wall or ceiling surfaces with a fire resistant and heat insulating material to
prevent ignition and accumulation of heat.
10. Inspect the area following work to ensure that wall surfaces, studs, wires or dirt
have not heated up.
11. Eliminate explosive atmospheres (e.g., vapours or combustible dust) or do not
allow hot work. Shut down any process that produces combustible atmospheres,
and continuously monitor the area for accumulation of combustible gases before,
during, and after hot work.
12. Comply with the required legislation and standards applicable to your workplace.

AUTHORISED BY: Managing Director Page | 2

This document contains proprietary information and must not be published, reproduced,
copied, disclosed or used for any purpose without the approval of PGCL.