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Course Objectives
1) Be able to identify the general hazards
associated with Hot Work Activities
2) Be able to explain the procedures involved in the
UNC Hot Work Permitting System.
3)
Course Objectives
4) Be able to explain the difference between a
designated hot work area, a controlled hot work
area, and an area where hot work is not
permitted under any circumstances.
5)
Above: Illustrations of two Designated Areas at one of the UNC Energy Services
Maintenance Shops. Combustible materials have been removed to make this a safe
1.
2.
3.
Above Courtesy U.S. CSB, Tanks involved in the 2006 accident that killed three workers
Burns,
Sparks,
Electric shock hazards,
Optical (UV) radiation,
Inhalation of welding fumes.
1)
2)
Above: Illustrations of two Designated Areas at one of the UNC Energy Services
Maintenance Shops. Combustible materials have been removed to make this a safe
Above: Illustration of UNC Art Lab Welding Area, which is considered a Designated Area. A hot
DIESEL FUEL
NO SMOKING
MATCHES OR
OPEN FLAMES
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Department of Environment, Health & Safety
1120 Estes Drive Ext., CB# 1650
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
1)
2)
3)
YES
NO
YES
NO
NO
4. Is the proposed work to be
performed in a non-permissible
area?
2.
3.
4.
5.
Above Courtesy U.S. CSB, Tanks involved in the 2006 accident that killed three workers
Tanks involved in the 2006 accident that killed three workers . On June
5, 2006, contract workers were installing a new pipe between two oil
tanks at a rural oilfield when sparks from a welding torch ignited
flammable hydrocarbon vapor venting from one of the tanks. That tank
and another nearby tank exploded, killing three workers who were
standing above the tanks and seriously injuring a fourth. All of the tanks
were interconnected by piping and one of the tanks contained crude oil,
the source of the vapor that fueled the explosions. The workers had not
performed combustible gas monitoring prior to or during the hot work
instead relying on the unsafe and unreliable practice of using a lit torch
to check one of the tanks for flammable vapor.
Workers did not empty or isolate the tank that contained crude oil prior
to initiating hot work activities.
Neither the contract company nor the parent company required written
hot work permits. The contractor company did not provide hot work
The facility had no formal hot work program, and no permit was issued for the hot
work being performed. No combustible gas testing was performed prior to
commencement of the hot work; the company did not have a policy that required it.
In addition, many workers were mono-lingual Spanish speakers and had not been
When the fire was finally noticed, some time was spent in trying
to extinguish it before the fire department was called. By the time
the fire department arrived, it was too late to save the lumber
storage and stacker buildings. Destruction caused a total loss of
$1.25 million.
Hot work activities creates various health and physical hazards. The goal of the
hot work permit program is to prevent heat sources from coming into contact with
fuel sources in order to prevent the possibility of fires and explosions that could
result in injury, death, and loss of property.
Hot work is allowed in 2 types of locations. Designated area is a permanent
location (such as a Welding or Maintenance Shop) approved for routine hot work
operations. A Designated area has been made safe by removal of all possible
ignition sources.
A Controlled Area is an out of shop location which safe conditions exist or where
safe conditions can be created by moving or protecting combustibles.
A Hot Work Operator must obtain a Hot Work Permit from the Departmental Permit
Authorizing Individual before performing hot work in a Controlled Area.
A Fire Watch must be posted when hot work is performed in a location where other
than a minor fire might develop.
A Non-Permissible Location is a hazardous location such as a tank that holds
flammable chemicals. No Hot Work is allowed in this type of work environment.
It is critical that proper planning and communication be implemented by all involved
in planning work involving hot work to reduce the possibility of injury, death, and
Conclusion
In conclusion, everyone involved with hot work
needs to understand and follow proper safety
procedures to prevent accidents associated with
hot work activities.
REFERENCES:
National Fire Protection Agency 51B, Standard for Fire Prevention during Welding,
Cutting and Other Hot Work.
OSHA General Industry Standard, Subpart Q, 1910.251- 1910. 255, Welding, Cutting,
and Brazing
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , Safety and Health Manual , Section 10 Welding and
Cutting