We at Morse Insurance pride ourselves on being able to help fill the unique insurance needs of contractors, plumbers and electricians. As you know, working in these industries can be dangerous without proper safety standards. One of those dangers is Hot Work. Ever had to solder an iron railing at a job site or use tools that produce sparks? Read on for some important safety information!
What is Hot Work?
Hot Work is any type of work that uses an open flame or could produce a source of ignition like sparks, flame, or heat. Examples include work that requires cutting or brazing with fire or spark-producing tools, soldering, grinding, thawing pipes, heat treating, torch-applied roofing, hot riveting, etc. If flammable materials are present, industrial processes such as grinding and drilling also become Hot Work.
Dangers of Hot Work
If not performed safely, Hot Work can end in disaster. Fires, like in the tragic case of the 9-alarm fire on Boston’s Beacon Street in 2014 are the extreme, but worker injury and property damage are both possible when Hot Work is not done properly. Knowing how to prepare for the Hot Work either you or your workers may conduct is important to protecting against injury, loss of life, and loss of property at your business and your job sites.
Permitting
Hot Work operations require a permit when performed outside of a designated Hot Work area, such as a weld shop. Before performing Hot Work in a new area, you should reach out to the town or city’s fire department to obtain a permit, per Massachusetts Fire Safety Code. Keep the Hot Work permit visible during operations.
Precautions to Take
Manage risks and prevent loss. To make sure your team and worksite are safe, you should pre-plan for safety at every phase of the job — prior to bid, before site work begins, prior to the beginning of each new construction phases, and before each job. The supervisor should be able to check everything off the Hot Work checklist before beginning work.
Here is a sample Hot Work Checklist that Morse suggests you follow:
In addition, someone should monitor the atmosphere with a gas detector. If flammable gas exceeds 10 percent of the lower explosive level, the work must be stopped. Need more Hot Work safety tips? The National Fire Prevention Association has plenty more information about fire safety for contractors. You can also visit the OSHA website for more resources.
#MorseOfCourse is committed to protecting you and your workers. Our team of dedicated agents will get you the package you need. If you’re looking to explore your business or contractors insurance options, give us a call today at 508-238-0056 to discuss.