Professional Documents
Culture Documents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. SCOPE .................................................................................................................................................. 4
3. REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 5
4. PURPOSE ............................................................................................................................................. 5
5. RESPONSIBILITIES .............................................................................................................................. 6
6.1 GENERAL CUTTING AND WELDING CONTROLS IN OPERATION AREA AND/OR CONFINED SPACE ...................9
6.4 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IN OPERATION AREA AND/OR CONFINED SPACE .................................. 10
7. TRAINING .......................................................................................................................................... 11
8.2 HOT WORK PERMIT IN OPERATION AREA AND/OR CONFINED SPACE .............................................................. 12
9. APPENDICES ..................................................................................................................................... 14
9.2 APPENDIX 2: INSPECTION POINTS FOR GAS CUTTING TROLLEY & CYLINDER.................................................. 15
1. SCOPE
This document describes the hot work procedure to be used by IMCO Engineering &
Construction Company W.L.L. (hereinafter called as IMCO) and all subcontractors
during the preparation and construction of all process plants, general facilities, storage
and handling facilities, utilities and other services for off plot activities and
demobilization relevant to construction site. This procedure is specific to the
construction, pre-commissioning and demobilization phases of the site and temporary
site.
"HOT WORK" is defined as any work requiring the use of welding or brazing, open
fires, non-intrinsically safe electric tools and /or equipment, unattended internal
combustion engines, sand-blasting, explosion-actuated tools, or any other flame or
spark producing equipment with sufficient energy to ignite flammable vapors.
This procedure shall be distributed to all organizations engaged in the works at site
and temporary site.
Terms and definitions specific of the current scope are the following:
Site: means the area of the project site as designated by the client.
Temporary site: means the remote facility operated by IMCO for support of the site
Subcontractor: means the entity engaged to perform the construction and pre-
commissioning activities.
3. REFERENCES
4. PURPOSE
The purpose of this procedure is to outline the requirements for safety managing,
maintaining and controlling sources of ignition to prevent the risk of fire and or explosion
during construction, pre-commissioning and commissioning on Client projects
This is defined as work involving naked flames, electrical welding, electrical induction
pre-heating/stress relieving, or grinding. Hot work is not permitted in any area that
contains hydrocarbons above atmospheric pressure. 'Hot work shall not be carried out
adjacent to areas where coating works are in progress'. The performance of Hot Work
shall require adherence to Client operations operating procedure. In addition to the
requirements in the relevant procedures such as the permit-to work system, the
following shall apply:
New construction area is defined to as the fenced and secured green field
construction areas exclusively designated for project.
Operation area is defined to as the construction work area within 20 meters of any
live lines, plant or equipment and all other construction work area outside the
fenced new construction area of project.
The confined spaces shall be identified as any area of the new construction area
and/or operation area with a limited means of access / egress and/or subject to
oxygen deficiency, accumulation of flammable vapors, or airborne contaminant
that exceeds established permissible exposure limits.
The purpose of this procedure is to provide guidelines for operation of cranes and
lifting within the site & temporary site.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES
In support of the site and temporary site hot work procedure, the positions identified
within section 5 shall have responsibility as identified in the QA/IMCO/HSE/M/QT-001
HSE Manual.
The project manager shall display personal commitment to the HSE management
system through obvious site actions related to the safety of the personnel on the
project, and through support of the HSE manager.
Prepare inspection reports for the site manager for his review and action.
Ensure the requirements of the hot work procedure are cascaded to vendors
and subcontractors.
Keep accident records, identifying the areas to which prevention must be
addressed.
A competent person is someone who is trained and experienced in the actual hot
work activity and has duties within the hot work procedure as follows;
Ensure receipt from the authorized person of a hot work permit, prior to
starting work.
When a permit is issued, discuss the safety precautions required with the
supervisor.
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 JHA & PTW.
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.
Comply with any requirements laid down in the hot work JHA to carry out a
personal inspection after a specified period following the last application of
heat.
On completion or cessation of the hot work, the competent person confirms that
the area in which the hot work is performed is safe and free from any source of
ignition or any signs of any smoldering materials, tidy up the work area,
remove/replace any firefighting equipment, if a permit was issued, sign it off and
return it to the permit issuer.
Shall ensure that all employees adhere to the requirements of this procedure and
take immediate corrective actions in case of unsafe situations noted inspections.
Cutting and welding operations (commonly referred to as hot work) in these areas are
associated with machine shops, maintenance, and construction activities. Potential
health, safety, and property hazards result from the fumes, gases, sparks, hot metal
and radiant energy produced during hot work. Hot work equipment, which may
produce high voltages or utilize compressed gases, also requires special awareness
and training on the part of the worker to be used safely. The hazards associated with
hot work in these areas can be reduced through the implementation of effective control
programs.
IMCO prohibits cutting and welding operations in these areas unless appropriate steps
are taken to minimize fire hazards, such as removal or guarding of combustible
materials and, when possible, restricting hot work to specially designated areas.
Departments where hot work is performed are responsible for ensuring that adequate
controls and procedures are in place before work begins.
6.1 General cutting and welding controls in operation area and/or confined
space
Areas where hot work is done in operation area and/or confined space shall be
properly designated and prepared. In order for this to be done, a JHA shall be
applicable to the activity, and shall be attached to the PTW application. Once the
PTW is approved, the supervisor of the work shall conduct a tool box meeting with
the concerned personnel.
Combustible and flammable materials within the work area shall be protected
against fire hazards and the operation shall not pose a hazard to others in nearby
areas. To help achieve this, the following controls shall be used:
For welding activity fire resistant curtains and /or tinted shields shall be used to
prevent fire, employee burns, and ultra-violet light exposure.
In a space of less than 10,000 cubic feet (283.2 m3) per welder.
In a space having a ceiling height of less than 16 feet (4.9m).
In a confined space or where the hot work space contains partitions,
balconies or other structural barriers to the extent that they significantly
obstruct cross ventilation.
Where the nature of the hot work is such that the release of toxic fumes or
gases is possible including hot work on stainless steel, zinc, Lead,
degreasing or cleaning compounds containing hydrocarbons.
Hot work in operation area and/or confined space shall not be conducted in the
presence of explosive mixtures of flammable gases, vapors, liquids, or dusts or
where explosive mixtures could develop inside improperly prepared tanks or
equipment.
Hot work In confined spaces shall require a permit to work for hot works and
confined space entry permit (refer to QA/IMCO/HSE/P/QT-002 Permit to work
procedure), which requires atmospheric testing and monitoring for combustible
gases and vapors before work begins and at regular predetermined intervals by
IMCO trained and approved authorized gas tester.
Ventilation of the work site, either through local or general exhaust ventilation,
should be adequate for the work performed.
A person other than the operator shall perform fire watch duties (Refer to
section 5.5). Additionally, the following steps shall be taken.
A fire extinguisher must be available in areas where hot work is performed.
A fire extinguisher must be attached to all portable cutting and welding carts.
Personal protective equipment specifically designed for hot work shall be provided
to and used by workers potential for toxic fume emissions from the material being
worked on or surface coatings shall be considered, and appropriate steps shall be
taken to provide for respiratory protection.
Storage and handling of compressed gas cylinders are important parts of many
cutting and welding operations. The following shall be observed:
Oxygen and fuel gas cylinders shall be stored upright and separately with the
protective valve caps in place. Except when in use, oxygen and fuel gas
cylinders shall be stored at least 5 meters apart or separated by a
noncombustible wall at least 1.5 meters high.
7. TRAINING
All persons performing hot work shall be trained in proper equipment operation,
handling and storage of welding materials, compressed gas safety, chemical hazards,
and in working procedures, including the written hot work permit.
Additional training may also be necessary in the proper selection and use of personal
protective equipment. Training in confined space entry is necessary before working in
such areas.
A Hot Work Permit shall be obtained prior to carrying out any hot work in a construction
site and Client facility.
Hot work permit in the fenced and secured green field construction area shall be
the authorization from client to allow the IMCO to work for a maximum of one
month from date of issue as per the validity approved contractually.
The IMCO shall submit to client for approval prior to commencing the construction
work and each monthly period thereafter and shall submit to client for continuance
work permit until completion of the project.
This work permit shall cover only the new construction within the fully fenced area
of the project.
Special hot work permits shall be required where cutting or welding in operation
area and/or confined space is performed. This hot work permits can help minimize
the risk of fire during cutting and welding activities by serving as a checklist for
operators and those performing fire watch duties. The person responsible for
issuing permits shall be qualified to examine the work site and ensure that
appropriate protective steps, such as those listed in this section, have been taken.
A hot work permit in these areas shall be issued at the beginning of each shift for
each specific operation.
As a minimum, the following precautions shall be taken during Hot Work operations
to ensure fire protection: (See attachment 1, Hot Work Precautions Checklist)
9. APPENDICES
1. Care to be taken when using and storing materials used for ignition
purposes, i.e. matches, lighters.
2. Hot-work equipment is in good repair and adequately secured. Gas
welding and cutting equipment is in good repair
3. All combustible material of a portable nature shall be removed from the site
of operations and floors swept clean of combustible materials. Flammable
substances such as paints and adhesives must be removed from the hot
work area.
4. All combustible material remaining in the vicinity shall be either a)
thoroughly drenched with water or b) cover with damp sand or c) covered
with non combustible sheets whichever is suitable.
5. Combustible floors, walls, ceilings protected by wetting down and covering
with damp sand or covered or screened by sheets of non-combustible
material whichever is suitable.
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. If a fire point is not in the immediate vicinity, then portable fire
extinguishing equipment must be available at the site of operations.
9. Ensure that the correct personal protective equipment is worn in relation to
the task being carried out.
10. If applicable Smoke/heat detectors that could be affected by the Hot
Work operation must either be a) isolated by electricians or b) Bagged
off. When the work has been completed the smoke/heat detector must be
put back into operation.
12. 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. Consider
the potential for conduction of heat.
13. Recognition of hazards, PTW requirements for hot work, particularly during
equipment refueling and handling of combustible and flammable materials
and fire prevention.
14. Hoses should be regularly checked for leaks and perishing. Hoses should
be connected to gauges with Jubilee clamps. Regular soap testing of
cylinders is recommended.
NOTE A fire watcher shall be placed in charge whilst the hot-work operations
are in progress and shall patrol in or about any structure of building close
to the hot-work operations, where the risk of fire may arise.
END of At the end of a hot work shift, the area should be checked for smoldering
SHIFT remnants, the valve closed, the gun emptied, hoses rolled up at the
cylinder trolley and the trolley placed in a safe location.
HOT WORK PERMITS ALONE DO NOT COVER WORK CARRIED OUT IN
CONFINED SPACES. CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PERMIT IS ALSO
REQUIRED.
9.2 Appendix 2: Inspection points for gas cutting trolley & cylinder
Location: Activity:
This checklist must be completed and signed by the worksite supervisor, following his personal detailed inspection of
the work area.
Have all floor or wall openings, within 15m of the work, been tightly covered with
non-combustible materials?
Has suitable protection been provided to prevent heat being transferred through
walls or floors etc, e.g. via conductive materials such as steel pipe-work?
Has a responsible person, with authority to stop the work, been assigned to watch
for dangerous sparks etc in the area of the work, and in adjacent areas such as
adjoining floors or rooms. This must include regular checks during the work, and
during lunch or other rest breaks.
Has sufficient fire protection equipment (eg hose reel, extinguisher, fire blanket etc)
been provided, and has a responsible person (trained in its use) been assigned to
stand by while work is in progress?
Have suitable and sufficient hazard warning signs been posted adjacent to
(including above and below, where appropriate) the work area?
Are all gas cylinders secured in upright positions, and gas pipes in good condition,
2
properly secured and kept as short as possible?
Do workers know what to do in the event of a fire, e.g. how to raise the alarm, and
4
call for assistance?
Are suitable facilities in place in the work area to call for assistance, e.g. telephone,
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radio, alarm system?
Will the work area and adjacent areas be periodically checked by a competent
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person during the work and for 60 minutes after completion of the work?
7 Add any additional precautions, deemed to be necessary below:
NOTE: The Safe Working Permit must be clearly displayed at a suitable location in the work area, prior to the
commencement of the work.