Hot work, Doing the job safely

This course aims to make sure that crew are fully aware of the procedures and precautions that will keep them and the ship safe.

Work involving sources of ignition or temperatures sufficiently high to cause the ignition of a flammable gas mixture is termed as Hot Work. This includes any work requiring the use of welding, burning or soldering equipment, blow torches, some power-driven tools, portable electrical equipment which is not intrinsically safe or contained within an approved explosion-proof housing, and internal combustion engines.

To help avoid accidents, company, port and terminal requirements should always be followed, and the correct procedures should be implemented to ensure that tasks can be completed safely.

Learning objectives:

• Definition of ‘hot work’
• Describe the risk assessment necessary prior to hot work
• Explain the hazards created by hot work on board ship
• List precautions to be taken to ensure safe control of hot work
• Identify the limitations of a hot work permit