Hot work safety tips

There were nearly 5,000 hot work-related structure fires between 2014 and 2018 in the US. As a result, these incidents highlight the importance of following hot work safety tips. Many of the fires started because workers failed to prepare, secure, and audit the workspace first.

In essence, incident prevention depends on building good habits. Therefore, instill the right behaviors within your team so you do not risk routine variables leading to a major incident. As a result, when you follow these tips, you prevent fire and electrical hazards from damaging the worksite, halting production, and injuring workers by making hot work safety a priority.

Before starting hot work safety tips

1. Sweep the floor of all debris.
2. Invest in heat-resistant clothing and wear it each time you start work.
3. Always make sure that all electrical outlets remain closed and secure.
4. Put fire-resistant mats on the floor to prevent sparks from catching.
5. Don’t forget to check your goggles and/or face shield for cracks.
6. Look for holes and tears in work gloves before turning on any tools.
7. Check the ventilation in your work area. If it’s sufficient, use a respirator or face mask to protect yourself from combustible gases.
8. Clear your work area of all flammable substances and materials, considering all safety tips related to hot work.
9. Use proper cable management to secure your tools.
10. Keep aisles clear of loose tools, cords, and other potential trip hazards.
11. Do a hazard assessment of the workspace before configuring it for hot work activities.
12. When working on a busy jobsite, block off your workspace from heavy foot traffic (if possible).
13. Inspect tools, putting emphasis on the condition of cables and wires. If electrical components are exposed, don’t use the equipment.
14. Ensure that you have a fire extinguisher or accessible water source nearby.
15. Provide the fire watcher with suppressant tools in case of an emergency.

After completing hot work activities

16. At the end of every workday, put all combustibles like fuel gas and oxygen tanks in a designated storage area as part of your hot work safety routine.
17. Calibrate your gas detectors frequently to ensure they’re in working order.
18. Subsequently, assign a responsible person to control all fire hazards and close off every heat source.
19. Store tools in a safe place, making sure to keep them away from hazardous energy sources.
20. Double check any ducts that you closed during the hot work process and ensure that they don’t need additional maintenance or repair.

Whether you perform hot work activities yourself or manage a team that does, you can benefit from safety tips that reinforce the key aspects of hot work safety. Moreover, regular reminders of proper behaviors help develop a strong safety culture and keep the worksite as safe as possible.