This Talk is prepared to cover
preparations and precautions required before any Hot Work may commence and which have to be observed while Hot Work is
being carried out on live existing pipelines. 
OBTAIN ALL REQUIRED WORK- PERMITS AND
ENSURE YOU ARE WORKING ON THE RIGHT LINE AND THE LINE IS PROPERLY ISOLATED,
DEPRESSURIZED AND PURGED.
AREA
PREPARATIONS – CLEARING
A. Removal of all combustible materials from
the work area (waste, fuel, flammable chemicals, paints, thinners, etc.)
B. Removal of empty drums and gas cylinders.
C. General
clean-up of the work area (also to be done at the end of each shift).
D. Access and escape ways to be kept clear.
E. Preparations to avoid hydrocarbon or other
combustible material from entering the hot work area; check overflows, drain
systems, vents, relief lines, etc.
MECHANICAL
PREPARATIONS
A. Fire blankets to be positioned below hot
work locations, to protect against sparks and welding scatter. Blankets to be kept wet. Screens of fire retardant material are to be
constructed around the hot work location to contain grinding sparks and weld
arcs.
B. When working adjacent to "live"
areas, seal area off with canvas to prevent the tripping of alarm systems in
those areas.
C. Position notices "HOT WORK IN
PROGRESS" and "AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY", at all entrances and
boundary areas which lead into or run adjacent to the hot work area.
D. No fiber ropes or slings to be used near
the hot work area.
E. Prior to any hot cutting taking place,
pipes should be clearly marked by an authorized
person.
FIRE
PREVENTION
A Fire hoses to be run and
pressurized.
B. Fire extinguishers to be positioned at the
work site.
C. Aluminum scaffold decking is preferred, but
wet fire blankets should suffice.
D. Fire-Watch to be posted at site.
WELDERS AND WELDING EQUIPMENT
A. Whenever possible, earth returns should be
coupled directly to the work being welded and to an independent earth. Earth returns should not be connected in such
a way that the path of the current is outside the designated safe area.
B. No earthing cables are to be connected to
pipes containing hydrocarbons.
C. Welding cables must in good condition with
no cuts or breaks in the insulation.
D. Welders to be supplied with receptacles for
electrode stubs.
E. For electric welding, voltage should be
kept to a minimum for efficient welding.
F. Hoses should be kept for one type of gas
only. Red for acetylene and green for
oxygen.
G. Hoses should be examined before use for
correct couplings, signs of deterioration and signs of slitting or drying out,
which may give rise to leakage.
INSTRUCTIONS TO BE OBSERVED BY WORK
PARTY
A. Access to the hot work area to be
restricted to a minimum of people.
B. All hot work to stop immediately on the
receipt of a gas alarm. This work should
only re-start with specific instructions from the permit issuer.
C. Any dangerous incident (near miss) to be
reported immediately.
D. A responsible person should be appointed to
stand-by at the welding sets for the immediate shutdown of all the sets and gas
cylinders in case of alarm.
E. Ensure all permits are validated and signed-off at the end of the shift.