Safer hot BUSINESS SAFETY works - kent.fire-uk.org · Permit to work (PTW) A permit to work is a documented procedure that authorises certain people to carry out specific work within

BUSINESS SAFETY

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Keep your business safe fromfires caused by cutting, welding,grinding and other hot works

Safer hotworks

The dangers involved

Fires can and do kill, injure and cause serious human suffering and financial loss.

The potential dangers are where high-risk activities such as hot work are frequently combined with circumstances where fires can spread quickly and escape may be difficult.

This guidance is about preventing fires from starting and ensuring people’s safety if they do.

Remove or reduce the risk

By removing or reducing the sources of ignition the likelihood of fire is reduced.

Here are some ways how you can do this:

• Conduct routine hot works in a designated area away from combustible material.

• Separate ignition hazards and combustibles and consider building fire-resistant enclosures for hot work processes.

• Strictly control hot work by operating permit-to-work schemes. • Check all areas where hot work has been carried out at regular intervals for

60 minutes after work has finished.• Gas cylinders should be secured in an upright position. Hose length should

be kept to a minimum. This reduces the likelihood of damage.

Fire precautions

• Make sure suitable fire precautions are in place when carrying out hot works.• Those carrying out hot work should have appropriate fire extinguishers with

them and know how to use them.

The law

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

This requires the responsible person to carry out a fire risk assessment.

The assessment should take account of the impact that a fire involving a cylinder might have on surrounding premises and people.

The Order became law on 1 October 2006.

Permit to work (PTW)

A permit to work is a documented procedure that authorises certain people to carry out specific work within a specified time frame. It sets out the precautions required to complete the work safely, based on a risk assessment.

PTW should include the following details:

• the location and nature of the hot work intended;• the proposed time and duration of the work;• the limits of time for which the permit is valid; and• the person in direct control of the work.

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If you would like this information in another format or language, please ask for your local Fire Safety Offi ce on

01622 692 121 or email [email protected] re-uk.org

Further information

For free practical business safety advice or information visit Your safety > Business safety on our website at www.kent.fi re-uk.org or contact the Business Engagement Team. Our fi re safety offi ces are open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and an answer phone is in place for out of hours messages.

Business Engagement TeamFor free, friendly advice on making your business compliant with fi re safety regulations.Email [email protected] re-uk.org

North Kent Fire Safety Offi ce2 St Michaels Road,Sittingbourne ME10 2DNPhone 01622 212 413Email [email protected] re-uk.org

Mid Kent Fire Safety Offi ceMaidstone Fire Station, Loose Road, Maidstone ME15 9QBPhone 01622 212 430Email [email protected] re-uk.org

West Kent Fire Safety Offi ceDartford Fire Station, Watling Street, Dartford DA2 6EGPhone 01622 212 427Email [email protected] re-uk.org

South Kent Fire Safety Offi ceFolkestone Fire Station,Park Farm Road, Folkestone CT19 5LTPhone 01622 212 474Email [email protected] re-uk.org

East Kent Fire Safety Offi ceCanterbury Fire Station,Upper Bridge Street,Canterbury CT1 2NHPhone 01622 212 451Email [email protected] re-uk.org