What is a hot work permit and how does it work?

A hot work permit is a written approval, given before the job starts, for work that produces sparks, flame or high heat. The idea is simple: think about fire and explosion risk at the work location in advance, put precautions in place, and keep a record of who did the work and who approved it.

Which jobs count as hot work?

In general, welding, oxy-fuel cutting, grinding, spark-producing cutting and any use of open flame are treated as hot work. The same job carries a different risk next to a production line than in an open yard, so the permit describes the location as well as the task.

What does a permit usually contain?

• Description of the job, its location, and the date and time window
• The company and the names of the people doing the work
• Precautions such as removing or covering flammable material nearby
• Extinguishing equipment and, where needed, a fire watch
• Signatures of the people who request, approve and check the work on site

Typical steps

1. The contractor prepares the permit request with the location, dates and personnel.
2. EHS or the responsible person checks the work area and adds any extra precautions.
3. The permit is approved and kept available at the work location.
4. When the job ends the area is checked again to make sure no sparks remain, and the permit is closed.

Common gaps

Carrying on after the permit period has ended, letting someone join who is not named on the permit, and not checking the area at the end of the job are the gaps seen most often. They are hard to catch on paper, because the form sits in a file while the real situation is somewhere else.