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Date Reviewed: February 15, 2023
The following is only a guide for performing hot work. Client’s specific requirements on their operating oil leases must be followed and take precedence over these requirements.
Hot work generally refers to work that is within close proximity to live process equipment and involves a source of ignition. The source of ignition can be in the form of an open flame or a piece of unclassified electrical equipment, such as a flashlight or camera flash. The following factors should be considered when performing hot work:
•Assess the job or work, ask yourself if it has to be performed in the process unit or if it can be performed in a safe area.
•Perform a flammable gas test (see Gas Testing section). Record test results on the hazard assessment or work permit.
•Identify potential sources of gas and attempt to isolate them from the job. Cover drains and sewers and shut in other sources of hydrocarbon where possible.
Ignition sources associated with day to day work, such as the use of cellular phones, the use of other non-intrinsically safe equipment, heavy equipment or vehicle operation may be operated up to a distance of 8 m of any live or hydrocarbon contaminated process equipment or process building containing Class I electrical wiring without completing LEL monitoring.
If routine hot work is to be performed within the 8m limit, continuous gas monitoring would be required. These tasks may include, but are not limited to:
•Opening explosion proof electrical fixtures,
•Use of non-intrinsically safe portable equipment, (cameras, recorders, lights, tools, etc.),
•Replacing batteries in chart drives on gas metres.
•The following conditions & precautions apply:
•All equipment that creates a source of ignition shall be continuously attended if operating (turned on) within the 8m limit.
•All vehicles must be in sound mechanical condition and exhaust systems must be installed, sealed and functional.
•All diesel equipment must be equipped with a functioning and tested air intake shutoff.
•All personnel must understand:
▪What constitutes a potential ignition / hot source (this does not just refer to open flame)
▪The required 8 m spacing limit
▪That a hot work permit is required inside this limit if any hot work is to be performed (consult with the individual operating company representative)
▪That a hot work permit may be required if a critical task is to be performed between 7.5 and 25 metres of a producing facility.
▪Smoking will only be allowed in designated areas. In no circumstance will Smoking be allowed by any personnel within 25 m of a Class I area (live or hydrocarbon contaminated process equipment or process building containing Class I electrical wiring).
▪If welding or other hot work is to be performed on a vessel or potentially contaminated process equipment, the equipment must be shut down, positively isolated, de-pressurized, purged / decontaminated, vented and opened (other preparations and precautions may be required, depending on the situation). A gas test shall be completed by positioning the gas detector intake above the top sample point (man-way, etc.) edge (to test for lighter than air hydrocarbons) and below the bottom edge (to test for heavier than air hydrocarbons). Complete this test at different points and levels about the space.
▪If entering a confined space, refer to the Confined Space Entry safe work practice. Testing of a confined space will require all of the above considerations to be met.
▪If any LEL reading is detected, identify the source. Isolate, eliminate or decontaminate the source, in order to achieve the required LEL.
▪Maximum allowable concentration of flammable gas is 0% LEL for hot work. In some situations, LEL concentration may not be able to be reduced to 0%. In these situations, the maximum allowable will be 10% LEL, only if a job-specific hazard assessment is completed, job-specific procedures are written and communicated to all involved. A fire watch person is also to be assigned to the job.
▪Subsequent gas tests shall be performed throughout the duration of the hot work at an interval of no less than every 2 hours. The only exception to this rule shall be if continuous gas monitoring is done by a competent person. The results of subsequent gas tests shall also be recorded on the issuer’s copy of the hazard assessment / work permit in the space provided. If possible, communicate that tests were done and record the results on the receiver’s copy of the permit.
▪If the person performing the hot work will be doing the same job in several different locations, (such as electrical / instrumentation calibrations), this person may perform their own gas tests if they are trained on the operation of the gas detector and deemed competent. All other hazard assessment / work permit conditions must still be met.
Fire Watch Considerations
Fire watch personnel should be assigned to a hot work job on the discretion of the hazard assessment / work permit issuer, depending on the criticality of the job or if 0% LEL cannot be assured or maintained. This person must be competent and capable of performing this task. This person must be familiar with the job, the potential hazards, how to respond in emergency situations, the duties of the job and how to operate the fire and emergency equipment. It is the responsibility of the Client Representative to ensure this required level of competence. The responsibility of the fire watch person is to watch for hazards and potential fires, not to be the welder’s helper or have any other function. These duties may include, but are not limited to:
•Set the required fire equipment out (as prescribed by the permit for the specific hazard / application) at the job site and ensure it is functional.
•Remaining at the job site and be alert to any hazardous conditions which may arise. A Fire Watch is required until all hot work ceases;
•Containing sparks and slag and keep areas wetted down with minimum water/steam usage;
•Extinguishing fires immediately if they should start;
•Must advise the worker and/or the permit issuer if help is required to extinguish the fire. (SOUND THE ALARM);
•Evacuating the work area if the need arises;
•Accounting for personnel working at the job location.
•If a fire watch person is assigned to a job, they shall be equipped with the appropriate and required fire fighting and emergency equipment. This equipment is to include, at the very least a 30# BC rated fire extinguisher and the equipment must be on hand (located at the site of the work).
•Other equipment may be required, dependent on the hazard (water to be available for situations where Class “A” combustibles are exposed such as dry forest, sulphur, etc.).