Before performing hot work, shipyard personnel must
prepare spaces for entry and work. Consideration must be given to such
items as illumination, ventilation, means of access (such as ladders), and
staging. When the space has been adequately prepared, a
marine chemist or shipyard competent person must conduct a visual
inspection. [1915.14 See
Testing
and Certification for Hot Work and
Confined/Enclosed
Spaces.]
The tasks and
inspections below can be conducted by shipyard
personnel (such as tank cleaners, ship superintendent, port
engineer, Shipyard Competent Person (SCP), Marine Chemist, etc). Either
a Shipyard Competent Person (SCP) or a Marine
Chemist must
test for hot
work,
depending on the hot work location.
|
Click
on the area for more specific information.
Figure 1: Preparing Space for Hot Work. See also:
Atmospheric
Testing,
Blanking Off,
Ventilation,
Visual Inspection, and
Warning
Signs and Labels. |
|
Tasks to Prepare for Hot Work |
In preparation of a space for hot work, shipyard personnel
must
complete the following tasks as required by 29 CFR Part 1915:
- Make space "Safe
for Workers," including installing appropriate
illumination, access, staging, etc. [1915.71,
1915.72,
1915.73,
1915.74,
1915.77,
1915.91,
1915.92]
- Post warning signs as appropriate. [1915.14(b)(2),
1915.16(b)]
- Install appropriate ventilation.
[1915.51]
- Before use, ensure that welding and burning equipment is
properly grounded, inspected, and installed. [1915.55, 1915.56,
and 1915
Subpart P]
- Ensure that adequate
fire protection is available. [1915
Subpart P]
If a Marine Chemist Certificate is
required, the following must be conducted:
-
Determine the nature and the extent of the hot work. [NFPA 306,
2-2.2(b)]
-
Determine the nature of other operations in or adjacent to the space that
may affecting hot work (such as painting and cleaning). [NFPA 306,
2-2.2(b)]
-
Secure pipelines and other equipment (heating coils, pumps, etc.)
in the work space to prevent flammable or toxic materials from being
discharged into the space. [NFPA 306, 2-2.2(e)]
|
Figure 2: Preparing for hot work.
Figure 3: Blank in line to isolate system.
Figure 4: Safe for hot work.
|
Figure 5: Continuous exhaust ventilation
in
a confined space.
Note: Not adequately guarded.
|
Figure 6: Grounded/bonded welding
machine. |
Figure 7: Fire watch. |
|
|
Maritime
Labor/Industry Recommendations |
- The above should also be used as good work practices by a Shipyard
Competent Person (SCP) when making their determination to allow hot work.
Back to Top
|
|
Inspections for Hot Work |
Preparation for hot work also includes:
-
Ensuring that flammable, combustible, or toxic
coatings (preservative coatings or insulation) have been removed from hot work
surfaces.
-
A shipyard competent
person must perform testing on any surface of which the
flammability is not known. [1915.53(b)]
-
Soft and greasy coatings must be adequately stripped back. [1915.53(e)]
-
Toxic preservative coatings must be stripped back at least
4 inches, otherwise airline respirators must be used. [1915.53(d)(1)]
-
Ensuring that flammable and/or combustible materials (such as trash, rags, open containers of solvents, etc.) have been removed from the area.
[1915
Subpart P
and
1915.91]
-
Ensuring that flammable, combustible, or toxic cargo
residues have been removed or are adequately covered. [1915
Subpart P]
-
Ensuring that all movable fire hazards including residues of
combustible bulk cargoes in the vicinity have been removed
from the hot work area. [1915
Subpart P]
-
Ensuring ventilation is adequate to
maintain a safe atmosphere during hot work. [1915.51(b)]
- Ensuring that adjacent spaces have been inspected, tested and
meet requirements for hot work. [1915.11(b)]
-
In lieu of cleaning, adjacent spaces can be
inerted.
Additional Resources
- Fire Protection Handbook for "Hot Work Oxygen
Chart" (Inerting). NFPA.
|
Figure 8: Paint removed 4" all around
both sides.
Figure 9: Removal of flammable or
combustible material.
Figure 10: Local exhaust ventilation.
Figure 11: Adjacent space has been inerted. |
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
www.osha.gov
