Special Hazards Control (Hotwork)
- How is hot work defined by OSHA?
According to OSHA, hot work is defined as any process that can be rekindle or be the source of an ignition when flammable materials exist and can be a danger or hazard irrespective of the flammable materials present and includes processes like welding, brazing, and other cutting operations common in the drilling and service operations. It is therefore any work where burning, welding, or other spark producing equipment that may be the start of an ignition.
- Why do you think that one would need to test for flammable gases before starting any hot work?
Flammable sources and equipment’s that can start an ignition are all over and may not be known during hot work. This being the case, it is important to test for flammable gases in the location where hot work is taking place in order to identify these hazardous points that include fuel tanks, gas separators, and other confined places where gas is capable of accumulating as these may be potential hazards for explosions and fire episodes.
- What is the OSHA standard for Hot Work?
OSHA standard for hot work explains the requirements and the precautionary measures that ought to be taken before and during hot works. In particular, the standards stipulates the location that hot works ought to be carried out in, the requirements, the personnel as well as other precautions that ensures that the safety of the people and location is enhanced.
- Regarding the cylinders used during hot work, what are the potential hazards and how should they be stored.
Cylinders may explode if exposed to combustion. This being the case, all compressed gas cylinders are expected to have valve protection caps and should be secured. Empty cylinders should be kept out of the working area.
- What are the Seven Key Lessons from the US Chemical Safety Board?
There are various lessons that can be learnt from the United States chemical safety board and this includes the fact that all alternatives should be explored before opting to use hot works. The second lesson from hot works entails the fact that it is important to perform a hazard assessment so that the hot work scope can be identified as well as the potential hazards and mitigation measures. Because the area may be unknown to the persons undertaking the hot works, it is important to test the area for potential sources of ignition and flammables. This would eliminate the chances of explosions and accidents related to hot works. At the same time, qualified personnel who are familiar with hot work should review and authorize hot works. This entails the use of written permits. To avoid accidents related to hot work, employees should be trained thoroughly on how to use hot work equipment. Finally, outside contractors should be supervised and informed of any hazard and the availability of flammable materials.
- Select two of the incidents on the final report and SUMMARIZE what the hazards were (chemicals), what was not done to prevent the accident, what should have been done to prevent the accident. Hot Work Permit
From the cases given hot work safety bulleting at http://www.csb.gov/assets/1/19/CSB_Hot_Work_Safety_Bulletin_EMBARGOED_until_10_a_m__3_4_10.pdf, the explosion that occurred at EMC oil corporation that led to the death of a contract worker who was welding a transfer piping on the tanker thus causing vapor from the 2500 gallon tank to explode. This happened because the contractor did not do an environment test but relied on the company information. At the same time, the accident resulted from the lack of written work permit and analysis of the hazard. This being the case, the company should have trained the external contractor thoroughly, the area should also have been tested for any gas leakage to prevent the hazard from occurring. Mitigation measures could also have been in place to avoid excess damage.
The second case from the same bulletin refers to the packaging corporation of America where three workers were killed and one injured because of explosion due to the decomposition of organic materials in the tank that ignited a spark from vapors from the tank. The area was not scanned for any inflammables, nor was the hazard analysis done or the atmosphere monitored as would have been the case.
- What is the minimum “fire safe area” recommended for hot work?
For a hot work, a minimum area is that area that location and area that is able to function without bringing in hazards. That is that working area that is well equipped with all materials to counter any hazard as a result of hot work.
- If you cannot meet the minimum “fire safe area” then what should you do?
If safe minimum fire safe area cannot be met, an individual ought therefore to adhere to the seven lessons discussed above and should consult the authority for a hot work permit so that all requirements can be fulfilled before commencing any work
- What does the Hot Work Permit do?
It provides instructions and precaution checklists that should be adhered to when operations are being done that involves open flames and capable of producing heat and sparks.
- Examining the Hot Work Permit that UNH uses, for how long is the fire watch provided?
Fire watch should be provided during and sixty minutes after the hot work to ensure that there are no potential risk of a hazard.
- How long AFTER the hot work should the area be monitored by the fire watch?
After the hot works, the area should be monitored for another three hours excluding the sixty minutes that entails fire watch. In general, the area should be monitored for four hours or until such a time when it is free from any hazard.
- What type of equipment should the fire watch have on hand?
A fire watch should have fire extinguishing equipment’s and in some cases have charged small hose.