Hot Work Permit

Before work starts a hot work permit should be obtained from the authorised person. A suggested format for a permit is included in this document. This should be used on every occasion that hot work of any type is undertaken within or upon the fabric of established buildings or any structures or plant in the open. This procedure should also apply to construction sites once fitting out has commenced, and to all buildings which are being refurbished.

 

Limitations to issue of permit
A hot work permit should not be issued without considering the significance of any other permits to work in the vicinity, or adjacent manufacturing processes which may involved the use of flammable liquids or gases.

A hot work permit should be issued for a specific task that is to be undertaken in a clearly identified area. Hot work permits should not be issued for protracted periods. Separate hot work permits should be issued for work which extends from morning to afternoon periods.

Checklist
Before completing the first part of the hot work permit, the person responsible for issuing the permit for the work should complete the checklist, in conjunction with the person responsible for carrying out the work, to indicate that fire protection measures are adequate, suitable precautions have been taken and the equipment to be used is safe.

Additional conditions

If the person authorised to issue the hot work permit is not satisfied with the arrangements, further measures may be requested, and any additional conditions should be entered in the space provided. The earliest time at which a final fire-check should be made will also be specified. This will normally be at least one hour after the time of expiry of the hot work permit, when work must be complete. If trained personnel will not be available to make this check ( for example in the case of a permit issued late in the day) work must not be commenced.

Retention of the permit
The hot work permit should be completed in duplicate, with the top copy being handed to the person responsible for carrying out the work. The second copy should be retained by the issuer who may wish to inspect the site of the work or instigate spot checks to ensure that conditions have been made and that work is complete before the hot work permit expires.

The completed form should be returned to the issuer and retained for future reference.