Understanding and minimising hot works risks
03/11/2021
Helping you and your clients plan for the successful completion of hot works.
Did you know a high proportion of all workplace fires could be prevented when the risks associated with hot works are carefully managed? We want to help you and your clients better understand and reduce the risks associated with hot works.
What can go right?
In this series we’ll provide guidance to help you and your clients:
- Manage the process of carrying out hot works, from contractor selection to beginning works
- Manage and monitor works during execution
- Manage the final stages and completion of works
What are hot works?
Hot works describes any construction or maintenance process involving the use of open flames or applying heat and friction.
This article provides more information on hot works
Hot works are high risk activities especially when carried out in situ (that is, not in a designated safe area):
- Millions of pounds worth of damage have been caused over a ten-year period in the UK due to fires linked to hot works
- Work-related accidents in the UK occur each year which involve welding and often lead to major injuries
Hot works conditions
The term ‘Hot works’ can relate to the following:
What? Assembling, disassembling or repairing materials and machinery, roofing, plumbing, etc
When? In construction, renovation, maintenance or demolition projects requiring the use of heat
Where? Not in designated hot works areas, but in situ where the work needs to take place
Who? Typically a contractor – carefully vet any contractors being considered
Why? It is not possible to eliminate hot work for the task in hand
How? Using portable equipment such as welding and cutting sets, angle grinders etc.
It’s important to remember that all circumstances, however small, require a hot works permit and effective monitoring for safety including a minimum 60 minutes fire watch aided by the use of a thermal camera if available.
For roofing work, the Safe2Torch method of application promoted by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors is further encouraged.
Risks
Hot works activity is particularly risky because:
- It is not a routine activity
- Equipment is portable and can appear anywhere
- It is a frequent source of ignition
- It is often needed in areas not intended for such work
The risks include:
- Fire damage
- Explosions, if sparks come into contact with flammable materials
- Inhalation of fumes, especially when hot works are in a confined space
- Burns
- Reputational damage
- Business interruption
It’s really important to us that we help support our customers as much as we can during the hot works process in order to help reduce the risks we’ve outlined. Our next article in this series will help you and your clients plan for the successful completion of hot works.
