HEALTH & SAFETY COMPLIANCE NOTES
HOT WORK – PERMIT TO WORK
Version: 1
Issued by: Heather Rice
Ref No: CYC/HS/CN33A
Issue/review: March 2009
Page: 1 of 7
HOT WORK - PERMIT TO WORK
COMPLIANCE NOTE
INTRODUCTION
Many aspects of maintenance work involve Welding, Burning, Cutting, Grinding and
working with Bitumen boilers etc. If these activities are carried out in direct contact or in
close proximity to flammable or combustible substances there is the risk of fire or explosion,
with the potential to cause serious injury, ill-health and or damage to property. It is
therefore important to have a procedure in place to reduce the risks associated with Hot
Work to an acceptable level.
CONTENTS
Section
Topic
Page
1
Safety Management System Arrangement Details
2
2
Definition of hot work
2
3
Hazards
2
4
Risk assessment
2
5
Safety procedures
3
6
Permit to work
3
7
Operational checklist
3
8
Duties of the manager/building custodian
4
9
Duties of the person carrying out work activity
5
10
Hot work permit
6
This Compliance Note should be read in conjunction with Compliance Note
CYC/HS/CN14 (Fire Prevention & Control)
If you have any questions relating to this document please contact the
Health & Safety Help Line on 01904 554131
HEALTH & SAFETY COMPLIANCE NOTES
HOT WORK – PERMIT TO WORK
Version: 1
Issued by: Heather Rice
Ref No: CYC/HS/CN33A
Issue/review: March 2009
Page: 2 of 7
SECTION 1 SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ARRANGEMENT DETAILS
There is currently no Arrangement on Permits to Work in the Safety Management System
however this Compliance Note supports the Fire Prevention and Control Arrangement. Hot
work Permits to Work are also identified as necessary control measures in Fire Risk
Assessment Action Plans.
SECTION 2 DEFINITION OF HOT WORK
Hot Work activities involve the application or generation of heat during the task. Such
activities include: work with flame cutting apparatus, oxyacetylene welding apparatus,
electric welding apparatus, blow lamps, grinding equipment, any other equipment producing
flame, intense heat or sparks, working with bitumen boilers.
Examples where hot working may be required include roof repairs, plumbing, fabrication etc
SECTION 3 HAZARDS
The hazards arising from Hot Working include:
(i)
The ignition of flammable vapour within a confined space
(ii)
The risk to the building or surroundings as a result of work activities that generate
sparks and heat, such as Grinding, Burning and Welding etc., in areas containing
combustible and flammable materials
(iii)
The risk of eye injury including ultra-violet damage (i.e. “arc-eye”), burns and heat
exhaustion.
(iv)
Asphyxiation by gases and vapours and/or asphyxiation or poisoning by toxic fumes.
SECTION 4 RISK ASSESSMENT
Where hot work activities must be carried out managers should ensure that these have
been adequately covered by suitable risk assessments. (See CYC/HS/CN03)
Hot Work should only be undertaken if no alternatives solutions are available, i.e.
mechanical fixing, cold repair.
If the Hot Work involves or produces substances hazardous to health, e.g. cleaning
solvents, acids, welding fumes etc. then the work must include any additional control
measures as necessary under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
Regulations.( See Hazardous substances CYC/HS/CN21)
If you have any questions relating to this document please contact the
Health & Safety Help Line on 01904 554131
HEALTH & SAFETY COMPLIANCE NOTES
HOT WORK – PERMIT TO WORK
Version: 1
Issued by: Heather Rice
Ref No: CYC/HS/CN33A
Issue/review: March 2009
Page: 3 of 7
SECTION 5 SAFETY PROCEDURES
Only competent and authorised persons must perform Hot Work activities.
The work area should be made as safe as possible before the work starts, and all the
preventative precautions must be taken whilst the work is in progress.
On completion of the hot work, the area must be made safe. The person in charge of the
work must re-visit the work area, after a suitable period of time (provisionally one hour) to
ensure that there are no signs of possible causes of fires. This should be stipulated on the
permit.
All the control and preventative measures stipulated in the hot work permit must be
rigorously followed.
SECTION 6 PERMIT TO WORK
Any hot working must be assessed to identify whether it may give rise to significant risks to
those engaged in the work or to the building or to others that may be in the vicinity. Where
this is the case then this must be carried out in accordance with a Hot Work Permit. This
Permit involves an assessment of the task to identify the specific precautions to be taken.
The Permit should be issued by the manager/building custodian responsible for carrying out
the risk assessment of the job. He/she is responsible for specifying the necessary
precautions, e.g. isolations, site preparations, emergency procedures, these precautions
should be discussed with the senior person carrying out the hot work to ensure that the
nature of any hazards are clearly understood. It is the joint responsibility of the Manager
issuing the Permit and the Senior person receiving it to fully understand the contents,
limitations and scope of the Permit and its full implications, prior to commencement of work.
The Hot Work Permit should only be validated for a maximum of one day. If additional time
is required then this should be formally extended on the Permit by the person who issued it,
or in their absence another appropriate authorised person (senior manager?) after
reviewing the criteria under which it was issued.
A copy of the permit should be available at the hot work location.
SECTION 7 OPERATIONAL CHECKLIST
1)
Hot-work equipment is in good repair and adequately secured. Care to be taken when
using and storing materials used for ignition purposes, i.e. matches, lighters.
2)
Fixed gas/oil supply piping has been isolated and locked
3)
All combustible material of a portable nature shall be removed from the site and floors
If you have any questions relating to this document please contact the
Health & Safety Help Line on 01904 554131
HEALTH & SAFETY COMPLIANCE NOTES
HOT WORK – PERMIT TO WORK
Version: 1
Issued by: Heather Rice
Ref No: CYC/HS/CN33A
Issue/review: March 2009
Page: 4 of 7
swept clean of combustible materials. Flammable substances such as paints and
adhesives are removed from the Hot Work area
4)
All combustible material remaining in the vicinity shall be either
- thoroughly drenched with water
- covered with damp sand
- covered with non combustible sheets
5)
Combustible floors, walls, ceilings protected by wetting down and covering with damp
sand or covered or screened by sheets of non-combustible material
6)
Where work is above floor level, non-combustible curtains or sheets suspended
beneath the work to collect sparks.
7)
All gaps in walls and floors through which sparks could pass covered with sheets of
non-combustible materials
8)
Means for fire extinguishing must be in close proximity to the “Hot Work” operation
9)
The correct Personal Protective Equipment must be worn in relation to the task being
carried out
10) Smoke/heat detectors that could be affected by the “Hot Work” operation should be
isolated
11) When the work has been completed the smoke/heat detector must be put back into
operation, a tagging system may be required to ensure compliance with this
12) Those carrying out the work have had the nearest fire alarm/telephone pointed out to
them and have been told what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency
13) Any pipes affected have been assessed for hazardous contents or residues, isolated
and vented. Precautions have been taken to prevent the release of sparks or other
hazardous emissions from open ends. Consideration must be given to the potential for
conduction of heat
NOTE If considered necessary a firewatcher may be placed in charge whilst the “hot-work”
operations are in progress this person will be responsible for patrolling in or about any
structure of building close to the “hot-work” operations, where the risk of fire may arise. The
Manager responsible for initiating work must inspect the site of the “hot-work” operation at
least once per day on the dates the permit is valid.
If you have any questions relating to this document please contact the
Health & Safety Help Line on 01904 554131
HEALTH & SAFETY COMPLIANCE NOTES
HOT WORK – PERMIT TO WORK
Version: 1
Issued by: Heather Rice
Ref No: CYC/HS/CN33A
Issue/review: March 2009
Page: 5 of 7
SECTION 8 DUTIES OF THE MANAGER/BUILDING CUSTODIAN

To assess the risks associated with the hot work activity and it's potential effect on the
surrounding area and processes

To issue the appropriate documentation to the person carrying out the work, discussing
the practicalities of the safety precautions and control measures required

To monitor that during the hot work activity, the work is carried out in line with the
permit. Where the work extends beyond one day, to extend the permit if the conditions
are still applicable

To ensure that on completion of the hot work the area has been left in a safe condition
and to cancel a permit if issued.
SECTION 9 DUTIES OF THE PERSON CARRYING OUT WORK ACTIVITY

Ensure receipt of the Hot Work Permit, prior to starting work

If a permit is issued, discuss the safety precautions required; Sign for acceptance of
the permit to confirm understanding of the requirements and the obligation to carry out
the instructions correctly

Work in compliance with the job instructions and control procedures

Adhere to any provision in the Safety Document (Permit)

Supervise, erect and maintain any barriers, screens or other protective measures

Ensure/arrange communication and/or reporting procedures for emergency situations
as appropriate

Observe all fire precautions

Comply with any monitoring required by the documentation

Keep the Hot Work Area clean, tidy and free from any combustible materials

Restrict the use and application of heat to the stated points of work

Leave the area in a safe condition if the hot work is suspended. The permit will need to
be formally extended or a new permit issued if the hot work is to continue on a different
day

On completion or cessation of the Hot Work, confirm that the Hot Work area is safe
and free from any source of ignition or any signs of any smouldering materials, tidy up
If you have any questions relating to this document please contact the
Health & Safety Help Line on 01904 554131
HEALTH & SAFETY COMPLIANCE NOTES
HOT WORK – PERMIT TO WORK
Version: 1
Issued by: Heather Rice
Ref No: CYC/HS/CN33A
Issue/review: March 2009
Page: 6 of 7
the work area, remove/replace any fire fighting equipment, sign it off the hot work
permit and return it to the Issuer

Ensure that detection system is back in operation when work complete.
SECTION 10 HOT WORK PERMIT
(NB This is a photographic representation for illustrative purposes only)
If you have any questions relating to this document please contact the
Health & Safety Help Line on 01904 554131
HEALTH & SAFETY COMPLIANCE NOTES
HOT WORK – PERMIT TO WORK
Version: 1
Issued by: Heather Rice
Ref No: CYC/HS/CN33A
Issue/review: March 2009
Page: 7 of 7
If you have any questions relating to this document please contact the
Health & Safety Help Line on 01904 554131