SAFETY GUIDANCE
HOT WORK AWAY
SG024.01
Page 1 of 2
It is a condition of the Star Refrigeration Group insurance policy that the precautions set out
below shall be fully complied with on every occasion where Star Refrigeration Group employees,
or subcontractors working for the Star Refrigeration Group, are engaged in Hot Work away
from Star Refrigeration Group premises.
Managers, supervisors, engineer-in-charge or, where appropriate, the senior sub-contractor
representative must ensure that all the rules in this policy are carried out and must either
implement the control measures themselves or appoint a suitably qualified individual as the
responsible person to implement the control measures.
Hot Work includes using a naked flame or other heat source including but not limited to:a.
b.
c.
d.
Oxyacetylene and other oxy-fuel; or
electric arc or similar welding, cutting, grinding or other spark emitting equipment; or
blow lamps; or
otherwise applying heat
The Hot Work Area shall mean an area of space within a Six (6) metre radius vertically as well
as horizontally of any Hot Work.
Rules applicable to all Hot Work away from Star premises:
a) Before Hot Work is commenced, the occupier of the premises must be informed of the
proposed safety precautions and asked for specific authority to proceed. A Hot Work
Permit is to be completed by the responsible person either in the Star Standard Form
SF.820 or in a similar form provided by the occupier, providing that the completion of
the Hot Work Permit does not vary or waive any of the rules below.
It is not desirable to issue permits for protracted periods. The maximum duration of a
permit shall be one normal shift.
b) The Hot Work Area is to be examined and cleared of loose combustible or flammable
material or liquids by the responsible person. If such combustible material or liquids
cannot be removed they should be protected with flameproof covers such as
overlapping fire blankets or sheets of non-combustible material. Floors, walls,
insulation panels, pipe insulation, ceilings, roofs, ducts and partitions made of
combustible material are also to be protected with flameproof covers.
Openings in floors walls ceilings roofs or ducts within the Hot Work Area are to be
closed, covered, sealed or otherwise rendered impervious to the passage of fire.
c) Before applying heat to metal or other conducting material such as pipework and pipe
supports, which is built into or projects through walls, partitions, cavities, ceilings,
floors, roofs or ducts, an examination is to be made by the responsible person to
ensure that there is no combustible material in hazardous proximity to such metal or
conducting material, e.g. on the opposite side from the hot work, which may be ignited
by direct or conducted heat.
d) No Hot Work is to be carried out
i.
in atmospheres which are potentially explosive through the presence of vapours
or dusts
ii.
in areas where flammable fluids and/or flammable materials are not totally
enclosed or where processes incorporating the same are not shut down
Page 2
SG024.01 Hot Work
iii.
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on metal or other conducting materials in contact with combustible walls
partitions cavities ceilings floors roofs or ducts if close enough to cause ignition
by conduction or direct heat
e) Throughout the period of Hot Work and throughout the period of examination after
termination of work referred to in precaution (i) There shall be a hose connected to a
source of water supply (which must be turned on) of suitable volume and pressure and
with a controllable nozzle at the outlet and of sufficient length to permit a fire at the job
location to be tackled from any angle OR two (2) fully charged (9 Litre) water fire
extinguishers within a radius of 6 metres.. In addition to water or water extinguishers,
occasionally, it may be appropriate to have other types of extinguisher available when
specific risks are identified in the area.
f) All those engaged in the Hot Work shall be made aware of the location of the site’s fire
alarms and fire fighting equipment.
g) Accompaniment is a strict requirement during hot work therefore a responsible
employee of Star, its sub-contractor or of the occupier of the premises shall be
appointed to work alongside the operator of the equipment to look out for an outbreak
of fire.
h) All fire protection controls must remain effective during the period of Hot Work. Such
fire protection controls are to include but not be limited to fire doors being closed
sprinkler systems remaining operable and where there is a risk of explosive
atmospheres forming, ventilation must be maintained whilst ensuring this does not
promote fire spread.
i)
A thorough examination is to be made in and about the Hot Work Area including
behind walls, partitions, ceilings, roofs or floors regularly during operations. The same
examination is to continue for a minimum of 60 minutes after any termination (including
breaks) of Hot Work before the Hot Work Area can be left unattended.
After this period, the issuer should sign off the permit - retain a copy.
j)
Hot Work equipment when lit or naked flames shall never be left unattended for any
period of time.
k) Blow lamps and blow torches shall only be filled in the open
l)
Gas cylinders not required for immediate use shall be kept at least six (6)
metres from where the heat is being applied.
Leak detectors with naked flames
Leak detectors must never be left unattended once lit. They are only to be filled, or their
cylinders changed, in the open.
General Housekeeping
It is unacceptable to have loose combustible material around a working refrigeration
plant at any time.
Date
09/12/11
Issue
00
01
Changes
Revised in accordance with new requirements of QBE heat
warranty to include water hose or two fully charged extinguishers
Originator
CJH
CJH