Hot works

Nature of the hazard

Hot works include, but are not limited to works generating: heat, open flames, sparks or other ignition sources which may cause smoke or fire, or which may trigger detection systems. Examples of hot works activities include: grinding, welding, soldering, and thermal or oxygen cutting or heating.

Significance of the hazard

Hot works are a major safety hazard in Australia, as they can cause fires, explosions, burns, and other injuries.

Risks associated with the hazard

All hot works activities requires a risk assessment to be conducted in accordance with the University's Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control Procedure. The area where hot works is to be performed must be inspected for all possible hazards, including but not limited to;

  • adjacent laboratories and air-conditioning / ventilation intakes.
  • All other floor and wall openings
  • Combustible materials.
  • Combustible atmospheres
  • electrical hazards
  • fire and explosion
  • burns and exposure to heat
  • compressed and liquefied gases

Hot work involving welding or electrical equipment must be completed in accordance with AS 1674:2007 - Safety in welding and allied processes.

Hot works permit

A hot works permit must be completed before any hot works activity commences. Hot works permits can be issued to both University staff and contractors by Campus Safety and Security. Campus Safety and Security will only issue a hot works permit to a competent or qualified person.

Hot works permits will only be issued after a valid risk assessment for the activity has been sighted. The hot works permit and warning signs must be dislayed at entry points to the hot works area. Copies of the permit must be made where more than one entry point exists.

Qualifications and competency required to conduct hot work

All workers, including contractors and students, who complete hot work must be qualified or competent. A record of the workers qualifications must be kept b the School or Division. Qualifications may include a welder certificate or engineering qualification.

Competency is contingent on a persons ability to do something successfully. Competency is contingent on the person having completed a one-on-one or group based demonstration on how to complete the task, and the person receiving adequate supervision when completing the task. It is the responsibility of Schools and Divisions to determine a persons competency.

Additionally workers completing hot works must be trained in the use of fire extinguishers.

Fire protection

Controls must be in place for prevneting fire or explosion, including:

  • immediate availability of appropriate fire-fighting equipment; and
  • provision of a competent fire watch person to monitor during works at a safe distance

After works are completed

After hot works are completed, the hot works permit must be signed off with Campus Safety and Security. Campus Safety and Security and the permit holder must keep a copy of the permit.

  • the areas around the hot work both during and for a minimum of 30 minutes after hot works has ceased, and periodically checking every 10 to 15 minutes for a further 60 minutes.

Total fire ban day

A Total Fire Ban Day may be imposed by the Fire Service at any time restricting hot work activities, and other activities, that may result in igniting a fire. On days of total fire ban, no hot work shall be conducted outdoors, unless an exemption is obtained from the NSW Rural Fire Service.

For details about whether a fire ban is in place and information on the Total Fire Ban rules please visit the NSW Rural Fire Service website.

Fire detection systems

Fire detection systmes (smoke or thermal) must be isolated prior to hot works commencing. Isolation must be organised by Campus Safety and Security.

Confined spaces

Where hot works will be performed in a confined space, a confined space permit is also required. Hot works in confined spaces must be performed in accordance with

Where hot works will be performed in a confined space, a confined space permit is also required, see Confined Spaces.

Unplanned and uncontrolled fire and or explosion

Unplanned and or uncontrolled fires or explosions where a person is injured and or could have been seriously injured, is a notifiable incident to WorkSafe NSW. In the event of such an incident the fire watch person/s and or a first responder, must notify:

  • Campus Safety and Security immediately to coordinate the emergency responses,
  • Use available fire equipment to extinguish any fires until assistance arrives.
  • Provide primary first aid to any injured person until assistance arrives.
  • Contact WHS&W who will contact WorkSafe NSW.
  • Once the scene is made safe and persons injured treated, the scene must be isolated to preserve the scene from any further damage to the physical evidence. Nothing is to be removed from the scene until after clearance by a WorkSafe Inspector or Police.