Safety Manual | 2022
BL Companies // Corporate Safety Manual //
8.2 Hot Work
Hot work includes activities that require the use of an open flame, such as the following:
Purpose The purpose of this Section is to educate Employees on safe practices while performing work using a source of ignition in an area where flammable vapors or combustible materials could be present, or “hot work” (as further defined below) Scope This Section applies to all BL Companies’ Employees conducting hot work, including those who have been trained in the use of gas testing and monitoring devices. Policy It is the policy of BL Companies to comply with all OSHA and client requirements for personnel conducting hot work, including the requirement to obtain and comply with a hot work permit, if necessary. Overview Hot work is defined by OSHA as “any work that involves burning, welding, cutting, brazing, soldering, grinding, using fire- or spark-producing tools, or other work that produces a source of ignition.” This definition includes the use of any source of ignition in the following locations: · Any area that has been classified as Class 1, Division I; Class 1, Division II, per the National Electric Code requirements; · Any area that is within 35 feet of any combustible/ flammable materials; · Any area within 35 feet of potential flammable and combustible material release points (flanged and/or threaded piping connections, instrumentation bleeds, separators, tanks, dehydrators, pig traps, regulators, meters, compressor stations, transfer pumps, and other equipment); · Any area where combustible/flammable materials are more than 35 feet away, but are easily ignitable and/or where situated near adjacent wall or floor openings; or · Any area where combustible/flammable materials are adjacent to the opposite side of metal partitions, walls, ceiling, or roofs and are likely to be ignited by heat conduction or radiation.
· Welding, cutting, brazing or burning with a torch, electric arc or soldering iron; · Using a propane torch; · Using open flames; · Grinding; and · Smoking. Activities that do not meet the definition of an open flame, but are still capable of producing sparks or heat that could be possible sources of ignition are also considered hot work and may include the following: · Sandblasting (abrasive blasting; either wet or dry); · Spray painting; · Chipping, ripping, or other cutting by impact; · Breaking concrete; · Use of internal combustion equipment (vehicles, portable generators, and air compressors, etc.) · Opening of electrical equipment; · Using explosive-charge powered tools; · Hot Tapping; · Using non-explosion-proof electric equipment, such as heaters, motors, coils, extension cords, tools, and lights; · Use of portable electronic devices (includes cellular phones, pagers, radios, cameras, portable computers, and handheld computers, etc.); and · Operation of vehicles in hot work areas except on established roadways. Clients have also defined hot work to be areas where natural gas is being produced, processed, stored, or transported. Permit Prior to any hot work, the Employee and the client will meet to review the work and assign responsibilities. BL Companies should be responsible for providing a gas testing instrument and a person who is trained in the use of gas testing equipment, a Qualified Gas Tester. The gas testing instrument will be used to monitor and assure the appropriate atmospheric levels throughout the work. A hot work permit will be issued by the client for the areas and tasks designated on the permit.
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