HOT WORK PROCEDURE

Responsible Officer

AFW - Health & Safety Officer

Document Control

Unrestricted Distribution

File Number

TRIM -

REFERENCE DOCUMENTS AS/NZS 2865:2009 CONFINED SPACES AS 1940:2004 THE STORAGE AND HANDLING OF FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS AS 1674.1:1997 SAFETY IN WELDING AND ALLIED PROCESSES AS 1470:1986 HEALTH & SAFETY AT WORK PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES AS 4041:2006 PRESSURE PIPING HB 13:2007 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT FOR HAZARDOUS AREAS 1. AIM The use of welding, grinding and abrasive equipment has been the cause of many fires and explosions at work sites, especially where these processes do not form part of the day to day activities of an organisation. As the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine recognises the risks involved with hot work processes these Hot Work Guidelines and Hot Work Permit system have been developed to minimise the risk to people and property during any hot work procedures undertaken within the School. SCOPE This procedure provides guidance for the precautions and preparations that should be followed to ensure any work covered by a Hot Work Permit is carried out in a safe manner without risk to people or property. A Hot Work Permit authorises any person/s to undertake specific work, in a defined area, as detailed on that permit. These procedures should be read in conjunction with The University of Adelaide policies and procedures;
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/153/ - Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Policy http://www.adelaide.edu.au/hr/ohs/handbook/temperature_extremes/ -SAFETY WHILE WORKING IN TEMPERATURE EXTREMES

2.

These guidelines are applicable to all University staff, Co-Location Partner staff, Contractor or Visitor who may undertake work within any School of Agriculture, Food & Wine (AFW) facility or location including Field Work and/or Field Trips. These guidelines do not constitute a Job Safety Analysis or Risk Assessment and the issuing of a Hot Work Permit does not in itself make a job safe. Neither this procedure nor the issuing of a Hot Work Permit takes precedence over any other University or School procedure such as Working at Height, Confined Spaces or Electrical work that may have other authorising processes. 3. DEFINITIONS Hazardous Area Any area in which flammable or combustible liquids, vapours, gases, dusts, fibres and/or explosive substances may be present. Flammable Substances Liquids, mixtures of liquids or mixtures of liquids and solids (e.g. paints and varnishes) which give off flammable vapours at temperatures less than 65.6oC Combustible Substances material that can maintain combustion without the addition of an external heat source. Hot Work Any process involving Grinding, Welding, Brazing, Oxy Cutting, Heat Treatment or any other similar process that generates heat or continuous stream of sparks. Responsible Officer Trade Supervisor, Trade Foreperson, Project Manager, Tradesperson or Contractor who has sufficient knowledge of the fire, explosion and/or toxicity hazards associated with Hot Work Processes who will supervise all hot work procedures described in the Hot Work Permit. Confined Space Any enclosed space that has been defined as a Confined Space in line with Australian Standard 2865.2001. Note: See AFW Confined Space Register or refer to AFW Confined Space Assessment
Sheet

Uncontrolled if Printed Produced By TJ MacKenzie Effective Date 25/3/2010

Version 1.1 Page 1 of 4 Date of Next Review - 25/3/2012

HOT WORK PROCEDURE

4. Energy Source Electricity, Systems under pressure such as gases, oil, water, air, steam or other Stored Energy equipment such as flywheels, gravitational and kinetic systems that pose a threat to people and their safety. Field Site is any area external to the precincts of either Waite or Roseworthy Campuses on which AFW staff or students are required to undertake work, this includes any land holding not under the control of AFW. Contaminated Ground Any area that has been contaminated by spilled flammable or combustible liquids or solids. Lock-out The use of a lock and authority system that prevents an energy source from being inadvertently turned on during equipment maintenance or repair. Tag-out A system utilising warning tags indicating an item of plant or equipment that has been isolated for maintenance and may not be turned on or used. Supervisor Any person who undertakes to guide or instruct another person in any work process. Fire Watcher A person assigned to work with the people conducting the hot work processes, normally located outside the work area, to watch for any fires resulting from the hot work process. HOT WORK PERMIT An application for an AFW Hot Work Permit must be made prior to the commencement of any procedure that requires hot work to be undertaken in any hazardous area, confined space or field site. As many occasions of hot work will involve agricultural machinery there will be a potential for contact with diesel or petrol fumes, therefore there is an increased need for vigilance during these procedures. Similarly, there needs to be a raised level of awareness when undertaking hot work in the field during harvesting as there will be a large expanse of dry fuel in the fields that may quickly get out of control. Hot Work undertaken in any AFW area that is specifically designed for hot work (such as engineering workshop welding bays) do not require the issuing of a Hot Work Permit. All requirements and precautions laid out in the Hot Work Permit must be met prior to the commencement of any hot work procedure. Application for a Hot Work Permit must be made through the office of the Technical Services Co-ordinator of the School of Agriculture, Food & Wine. Property Services Contractors are exempt from applying for any AFW Hot Work Permit as they are guided by the Property Services Hot Work Permit To Work Instructions & Hot Work Permit To Work systems. 5. RESPONSIBLE OFFICERS RESPONSIBILITIES Responsible Officers must be aware of the work to be undertaken for which the permit is being sought and understand all isolation and tagging procedures ensure that a permit is granted prior to the commencement of any work ensure that any person undertaking a Hot Work process is appropriately qualified ensure that all combustible and/or flammable substances are removed from the hot work area and if this is not possible see that it is adequately covered by fire resistant shielding understand and ensure that all appropriate checks are undertaken prior to and during the period of the permit ensure that all tags, warning signs and the permit to undertake Hot Work are prominently displayed ensure that prior to any field work all emergency numbers are obtained and are readily available to all persons working within the hot work area ensure that, when undertaking hot work within a building the Building Warden, area Health & Safety Representative and local building occupants have been informed of the intended work ensure that adequate first aid kit/s and/or facilities are readily available at the hot work area
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/hr/ohs/handbook/first_aid/ - First Aid Policy & Guidelines
Uncontrolled if Printed Produced By TJ MacKenzie Effective Date 25/3/2010 Version 1.1 Page 2 of 4 Date of Next Review - 25/3/2012

http://www.adelaide.edu.au/hr/ohs/handbook/plant_safety/ Plant Management- Danger (Lockout) and Out of Service Tag Procedure

http://www.adelaide.edu.au/hr/ohs/handbook/chemical/ - Chemical Safety Management Policy and Guidelines

HOT WORK PROCEDURE

ensure that appropriate persons are informed when the work described in the permit is completed, suspended or cancelled RESPONSIBILITIES OF PERSONS UNDERTAKING WORK Responsible person/s must satisfy themselves that they understand all of the requirements of the permit ensure they are competent to carry out the work required, including the use of any Personal Protective ensure they are aware of any hazards that exist in the work area and that all necessary controls are in place and all Lock-out and Tag-out systems are in place
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/hr/ohs/handbook/hazard/ - Hazard Management Policy and Procedure http://www.adelaide.edu.au/hr/ohs/handbook/plant_safety/ Plant Management- Danger (Lockout) and Out of Service Tag Procedure

6.

ensure that fully charged and operable fire extinguishers, appropriate to the work being undertaken, are kept in the immediate vicinity of the hot work area, during the term of the Hot Work Permit ensure that any equipment used within the work area is of an approved type and in a good state of repair and that manufacturers procedures/recommendations for that equipment are followed ensure that the work area is a restricted work area and appropriate precautions are taken to limit access by unauthorised persons ensure that all fire resistant shielding is in place and if spark generating welding is being undertaken that flash screens are in place ensure that all work is performed in the safest manner possible 7. FIRE WATCH REQUIREMENTS Fire watch procedures will be implemented whenever hot work is being conducted within 10 meters of any combustible material regardless of the protection provided. A qualified person proficient in the operation of fire extinguishing equipment and conversant with the local area emergency procedures will observe the hot work area. The purpose of the Fire Watcher is to detect and prevent the spread of any fire produced by the hot work process. The fire watch process should be maintained for at least 30 minutes after the completion of the hot work processes. Fire Watch personnel are mandatory during any Hot Work procedure undertaken in any field or farm holding. FIRE ALARM ISOLATION Any person undertaking Hot Work must ensure that all fire detection systems are isolated within the area for the duration of the hot work and ensure that they are reinstated at the completion of the Hot Work processes. Isolation of any fire detection system installed in AFW facilities must be undertaken through Campus Security; Waite Campus ph 8303 7200 Roseworthy Campus ph 8303 7999 9. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Any Responsible Officer applying for a Hot Work Permit, must give due consideration to all environmental conditions for the duration of the permit. A Hot Work Permit may be refused, cancelled or withdrawn if weather conditions are considered extreme and/or hazardous to any person/s or property during a hot work procedure. Hot Work Permits will not be issued for any external hot work procedure to be undertaken on a Total Fire Ban Day.

8.

10. FIRST AID Responsible Officers must ensure that the location of adequate first aid kit/s and facilities are known and are readily accessible. If adequate first aid is not readily accessible a compliant first aid kit must be provided at the hot work area. Responsible officers must ensure that all emergency control numbers are clearly posted at the hot work area.
Uncontrolled if Printed Produced By TJ MacKenzie Effective Date 25/3/2010 Version 1.1 Page 3 of 4 Date of Next Review - 25/3/2012

HOT WORK PROCEDURE

11. PERMIT AUTHORISATION, CANCELLATION OR WITHDRAWAL Application for a Hot Work Permit must be made through the office of the Technical Services Co-ordinator of the School of Agriculture, Food & Wine. Authorisation and/or Cancellation of a Hot Work Permit may only be effected through the office of the Technical Services Co-ordinator of the School of Agriculture, Food & Wine. Withdrawal of a Hot Work Permit may be undertaken by the Responsible Officer named on the permit at any time during the term of the permit. Any permit withdrawn from use must be returned to the original point of issue. 12. PERMIT APPLICATION BY TELEPHONE Application for a Hot Work Permit may only be authorised over a telephone for one off emergency situations that may occur, such as equipment failure during seeding or harvesting field trips. Hot Work Permits will not be authorised over the telephone for any activity undertaken at either Waite or Roseworthy Campuses, these applications must be made either in person, by e-mail or by fax. 13. DOCUMENT CONTROL All Hot Work Permits and associated Confined Space Permit/s, Risk Assessment/s, Safe Operating Procedure/s and Job Safety Analysis shall be saved and stored in accordance with the AFW document control guidelines and record management procedures. 14. INCIDENT REPORTING All incidents that arise out of, or in the course of any University sponsored activity must be reported. The immediate supervisor of the injured person/s is responsible for ensuring that the correct processes are followed. The University has developed an Incident and Near Miss Report and Investigation Form, commonly known as the yellow card. This form addresses the requirements of AS 1885.1, Workplace injury and disease recording standard. Forms are available from secretaries, Health & Safety Officers, Health and Safety Representatives (HSR), and the OH&S Unit. http://www.adelaide.edu.au/hr/ohs/handbook/incident_near_miss/ - Incident, Near Miss Reporting and Investigation Policy and
Guidelines

Uncontrolled if Printed Produced By TJ MacKenzie Effective Date 25/3/2010

Version 1.1 Page 4 of 4 Date of Next Review - 25/3/2012