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Shipyard Employment eTool: Ship Repair
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Ship Repair » Hot Work (including Welding, Cutting and Heating)
Click on an area for more specific information. Fire Watch Fire Watch Fire Watch Hot Work in Confined Spaces Fire Watch Hot Work in Enclosed Spaces Hot Work in Other Locations Ventilation Labeling Labeling Rescue Team Figure 1: Hot Work Operations Figure 1: Hot Work Operations: Fire Watches | Ventilation | Labeling | Establishing Rescue Teams

Up to 25 percent of fatalities in shipyards result from fires and explosions caused by hot work.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Hot work includes welding, cutting, burning, abrasive blasting, and other heat-producing operations. Hot work presents an increased risk of fire and explosion hazards because it is most often performed in confined and enclosed spaces. [29 CFR 1915.51, 29 CFR 1915.53, 29 CFR 1915.54, 29 CFR 1915.55, 29 CFR 1915.56, and 29 CFR 1915 Subpart P]

Accidents may occur during hot work due to the structure of vessels, where hot work in a space can cause fire or explosion in an adjacent space that has not been evaluated safe for hot work. Special precautions must be taken in adjacent spaces as well as confined and enclosed spaces. 

The Confined or Enclosed Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres module should be reviewed before continuing with this section.

 Steps for safe hot work include:
Test Yourself: This interactive enhancement asks such questions as "Which spaces need to be checked by a marine chemist before hot work?" and "Who can approve the hot work?"


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