SOUTHWESTERN ELECTRICAL CO., INC.
OCTOBER, 2011
FROM:MANAGER
TO:ALL EMPLOYEES
SUBJECT:HOT WORK PERMIT
PURPOSE:
SOUTHWESTERN ELECTRICAL CO., INC. will follow the Client’s hot work permit system. The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that all steps are followed prior to and during any hot work.
If welding cannot be conducted safely any welding or cutting is NOT to be performed.
Welders and their supervisors will be trained in the safe operations of their equipment and the safe use of the process.
HOT WORK MEAN: welding, grinding, cutting, burning, use of torch or other spark producing activities.
The following procedure specifies the minimum requirements for any Hot Work.
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR:
Manager of Operations has been assigned the administrative responsibility of the Hot Work Procedure.
PROCEDURE:
All welding and burning equipment shall be inspected prior to beginning any welding or burning.
Welding leads shall be completely insulated and in good condition.
Oxygen and acetylene bottles shall be secured in a safe place and hoses shall be leakfree and equipped with proper fittings, gauges, and regulators. A check valve shall be installed in both the oxygen and acetylene lines to ensure that the gases do not back up into either regulator always purge hoses and torches when a cylinder is connected.
Hoses should not be hung or piled close to the cylinders when in use. This could hinder closing cylinder valves in case of fire.
A torch lighter shall never be carried into an area containing combustible gas. Arc welding machines shall be located in places free of combustible vapors. Grounding of arc welding machines shall be made as close as possible to the point of operation. Cutting torches and welding equipment shall be used on the job only by personnel designated by the company supervisor, and by only qualified employees.
Shields worn by the welder shall incorporate hard hat protection.
Persons in the vicinity of welding should never look directly or indirectly at the welding arc without protective goggles.
Special caution shall be exercised in welding or burning of bronze, brass, galvanized iron, cadmium plating, other alloys, or painted piping which might produce harmful fumes and poisoning. Adequate ventilation shall be provided when the work is in progress.
It is prohibited to cut or weld on steel drums that at one time contained flammable liquids or gases.
A maximum amount of welding shall be performed on all new structures or equipment before it is moved to the field in order to keep the amount of welding and burning in the field to a minimum.
Any defected equipment must be taken out of service immediately by the operator and reported to their supervisor for repair or replacement.
Prior to issuance of a permit, vessels and tanks to be welded shall be washed out and vented until explosimeter readings indicate the atmosphere is safe.
Test the atmosphere before and during the hot work at regular intervals.
If work is interrupted, test the atmosphere before any work is resumed.
The "HOT WORK PERMIT" shall be posted at the worksite in plain view.
PERMITS:
The employer (customer) shall issue a HOT WORK PERMIT for hot work operations.
The permit shall document that the fire prevention and protection requirements in 29 CFR 1910.252 (a) have been implemented prior to beginning hot work. Permit shall indicate: Date authorized for hot work, identify object on which hot work will be performed, and permit will be kept on file.
FIRE PREVENTION: 29 CFR 1910.252 (a)
Fire Hazards If the object to be welded or cut cannot be readily moved, all movable fire hazards in the vicinity shall be taken to a safe place.
Guards If objects to be welded or cut cannot be moved or if all the fire hazards cannot be removed, then guards shall be used to confine the heat, sparks, and slag.
Combustible material Wherever there are floor openings or cracks in the flooring that cannot be closed, precautions shall be taken so that no readily combustible materials on the floor below will be exposed to sparks, same for walls, open doorways, open or broken windows.
Fire extinguishers Suitable fire extinguishing equipment shall be maintained in a state of readiness for instant use.
FIRE WATCH:
Fire watchers shall be required whenever welding or cutting is performed in locations where other than a minor fire might develop or:
(1)Appreciable combustible material is closer than 35 feet
(2)Appreciable combustibles are more than 35 feet away but are easily ignited by sparks
(3)Wall or floor openings within 35 feet radius expose combustible material in adjacent areas including concealed spaces in walls or floors
(4)Combustible materials are adjacent to opposite side of metal partitions, walls, ceilings, or roofs and are likely to be ignited by conductions or radiation
Fire watchers shall have fire extinguishing equipment readily available and be trained in its use. They shall be familiar for sounding alarm.
Fire watch shall be maintained for at least a half hour after completion of welding or cutting.
PROHIBITED AREAS:
(A)In areas not authorized by management
(B)In sprinkled buildings while such protection is impaired
(C)In presence of explosive atmosphere
(D)In areas near storage of large quantities of exposed, readily ignitable materials.
SUPERVISOR:
(A)The supervisor shall be responsible for the safe handling of cutting and welding equipment and safe use of.
(B)Shall determine the combustible materials and hazards areas present.
(C)Shall protect combustibles from ignition by the following:
(1)Have the work moved to a location free from danger
(2)If work cannot be moved, have combustibles moved, or shielded.
(D)Shall determine that fire protection and extinguishing equipment are at the site.
(E)When fire watchers are required, and see that they are available at the site.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
1)Monitor conditions Record as needed
2)Stop work any time the LEL is above 10% or above the PEL for any material
3)All permits are good for 12 hours and can be renewed for 12 additional hours. A new permit must be issued after 24 hours.
4)All employees work under a “Hot Work” permit must be trained to know and understand all responsibilities on the permit.
5)When a permit has been cancelled for LEL or any other reason – a new permit must be issued.
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SWECO POLICY#__35__10/2011