Hot Work Policy and Procedures

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Sabina Knight
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1 1.0 Plicy Statement The University f New Haven has develped a ht wrk plicy and prcedure in accrdance with Occupatinal Health and Safety Administratin (OSHA) regulatins. 1.1 Purpse The University f New Haven has a duty t its emplyees and students t prvide a safe envirnment and wrkplace. Because ht wrk cnducted n the premises can ptentially affect the safety f University f New Haven emplyees, students and prperty, the University f New Haven is dedicated t perfrming this wrk in a safe manner. This dcument is intended t prvide safety instructins t persnnel wh cnduct ht wrk at the university including all cntractr ht wrk. 1.2 Scpe This prgram cvers all University f New Haven emplyees, cntractrs and assciated subcntractrs perfrming ht wrk in university wned, leased r subsidiary facilities. 1.3 Review The Assciate Vice President f Public Safety will review and update this plicy whenever necessary r at least annually. All the elements f this plicy are cnsidered University f New Haven plicy and may be enfrced as such. Failure n the part f the emplyees t fllw the plicies and safety requirements f this Plan may result in disciplinary actin. If a cntractr is fund t be in nn-cmpliance with the University f New Haven s ht wrk plicy, current and future wrk may be jepardized. 2.0 What are the Regulatins? The Occupatinal Health and Safety Administratin (OSHA), requires within their regulatins, as fund in 1910 subpart Q that all welding cutting and brazing fllw specific prcedures t ensure the safety f persnnel and prperty. 3.0 Definitins Cmpetent Persn Thse at the University f New Haven that have been trained n the prper use f a flammable gas meter and wh understand the cncepts f lwer and upper explsive limits. July

2 Designated Ht Wrk Area - An area that due t its design, cnstructin r mdificatin has been deemed safe t cnduct ht wrk withut the use f special permits r cnditins f wrk. Designated ht wrk areas nt needing a ht wrk have been identified as the building and grunds shp and the manufacturing labratry. All special precautins utlined in sectin 4.3 f this plicy are required t be fllwed in these designated ht wrk areas. All ther areas where ht wrk is perfrmed must btain a ht wrk permit befre wrk beings. Ht wrk wrk entailing the use f pen flame r spark prducing apparatus such as, but nt limited t, welding, cutting, burning, grinding, drilling jack-hammering and related heat prducing jbs which culd ignite cmbustible and flammable materials. Incipient Fire A small cntained fire which is in the initial r beginning stage, and nt f structural nature, and can be generally extinguished by using n mre than tw prtable fire extinguishers. Qualified Persn A persn wh has been trained in the use f a particular piece f equipment, t the degree that they are cmpetent in the use f such equipment. Respnsible Parties A member f the University f New Haven management team wh by experience and training is qualified t cmplete and apprve Ht Wrk Permits. At the University f New Haven respnsible parties have been identified as the Directr f Facilities, Manager f Maintenance Operatins and Assciate Vice President f Public Safety. Structural r Majr Fire A fire which is NOT cntrllable with the use f just tw fire extinguishers and needs the immediate respnse f a Fire Department r Fire Brigade. 4.0 Risk Identificatin 4.1 Respnsible Persn The respnsible persn authrizing the wrk must ensure all materials that will be heated during the ht wrk will withstand the heat generated by the ht wrk (e.g. materials, adjacent t, cnnected t, behind and inside the materials being wrked n). 4.2 General Precautins Where practical, all cmbustibles (i.e., wd, paper, flammable and cmbustible liquids) will be relcated at least 35 feet frm the wrk area. July

3 4.2.1 Cvering f Fixed Cmbustibles Where relcatin is impractical, cmbustibles will be prtected with flame prf cvers r therwise shielded with flameprf material. If cmbustibles cannt be relcated r cvered, ht wrk shall require a dedicated fire watch. 4.3 Special Precautins Special precautins fr cutting and welding shall be as fllws: Whenever there are hles, penings, r cracks in flrs, walls, etc., adequate precautins shall be taken t prevent cmbustible materials n ther side frm igniting. Suitable fire extinguishing equipment shall be maintained in a state f readiness fr instant use. Gas welding/cutting: Prir t use the welder will perfrm a visual inspectin f the welding equipment. The welder shall: Ensure that cmpressed gas cylinders are secured in an upright psitin; Inspect full length f hses. Any hse with evidence f wear r damage will be remved frm service; Inspect regulatrs and their assciated gauges; ensure regulatrs are in prper wrking rder, and gauges are functining and easily visible; and, ensure defective regulatrs r damaged gauges r site glass are remved frm service; Ensure that cylinders are kept far enugh away frm the actual welding r cutting t prevent ht slag, sparks, r flame frm reaching them; Ensure that trches shall be inspected fr leading shutff valves, hse cuplings and tip cnnectins and defective trches are remved frm service; and Ensure that xygen cylinders and fittings are kept free f il and grease substances, and are nt handled with ily hands r glves. 4.4 Testing fr Flammable Vaprs At the University f New Haven, there is the ptential fr flammable vaprs t be present in areas where ht wrk is t be cmpleted. In these areas where flammable vaprs may be present, it is required that a cmbustible gas test be perfrmed t determine the flammability range f the July

4 cntainer r area in which the ht wrk is t be perfrmed. The University utilizes an Industrial Scientific M-40 fur gas meter t perfrm flammable vapr testing. All in-huse ht wrk requiring a test fr flammable vaprs shall nly be cmpleted by a cmpetent persn wh is trained in the use f the measuring device and wh understands the cncepts f Lwer and Upper Explsive Limits. Such test shall be cnducted immediately befre the ht wrk begins and the results will be recrded n the Ht Wrk Permit. At the University f New Haven the cmpetent persn(s) t cnduct these flammable vapr tests has been identified as either the Directr f Facilities, Manager f Maintenance Operatins and/r Custdial Services Manager. Cntractrs shall be respnsible fr prviding a qualified persn t cnduct flammable vapr screening in the areas utlined in All cntractr flammable vapr screenings shall be verseen by the University f New Haven and cntractrs are required t ntify the Facilities ffice f their screening findings befre the ht wrk permit can be btained. Gas levels must als be nted n the ht wrk permit at the wrk site Flammable Vapr Wrk Areas Areas at the University f New Haven that must be checked fr flammable vaprs befre ht wrk cmmences are as fllws: All identified cnfined spaces; Gas meter rms; Chemical strage rms; and Labratries with piped gas systems and where flammable and cmbustible chemicals are stred. 4.5 Lwer Explsive Limit Ht wrk will nt be perfrmed if the cncentratin exceeds ten (10) percent f the Lwer Explsive Limit (LEL) Detectin f the Lwer Explsive Limit If the Level f Flammable/Cmbustible vaprs r gases is detected and des nt exceed ten (10) percent f the LEL, the ht wrk must nt start until the manager respnsible fr the wrk: Understands the surce f the flammable vapr which is present; and July

5 Knws the cncentratin will nt increase while the wrk is being dne Verificatin f Results In areas that may cntain flammable vaprs, the respnsible persn(s) cannt sign the Ht Wrk Permit until an initial test has been cnducted by a qualified persn and the results are within acceptable limits. In additin t the initial test, a flammable vapr test must be cnducted immediately prir t wrk cmmencing. 5.0 Ht Wrk Permits 5.1 Obtaining a Ht Wrk Permit Ht wrk may nly begin upn the issue f a Ht Wrk Permit, available frm the Manager f Maintenance Operatins. Each ht wrk permit btained at the University f New Haven must be signed by either the Directr f Facilities r Manager Maintenance Operatins and must als be signed by the Assciate Vice President f Public Safety. Cntractrs needing t cnduct ht wrk must ntify the Directr f Facilities ffice at least 24 hurs in advance f prpsed ht wrk. It will be the requirement f this plicy that cntractrs assist in supplying all wrk related infrmatin t cmplete the ht wrk permit. T cntact the Directr f Facilities please cntact The ht wrk permit can be fund in appendix A f this dcument. In specific instances, the University f New Haven s insurance prvider may need t be ntified f ht wrk being perfrmed. 5.2 Cmpleting the Ht Wrk Permit The ht wrk permit is a three part frm that tracks each step f the peratin befre, during and after the jb. The Manager Maintenance Operatins retains part 1 f the frm which lists instructins and a checklist while issuing part 2 f the frm t the persn cnducting the ht wrk. Part 2 f the frm is cmpleted by the Manager Maintenance Operatins, signed by all three f the universities July

6 respnsible parties, signed by the cntractr perfrming the ht wrk and shall be prminently displayed in the area where ht wrk is being perfrmed. Part 1A f the ht wrk permit, if requested t be filled ut by the university, will be cmpleted as part 1 and 2 have been and will be issued t the persn perfrming the fire watch (if needed). 5.3 Ht Wrk Permit Lg The University f New Haven shall keep a ht wrk permit lg inclusive f date, time, building in which ht wrk is being cmpleted, cntractr perfrming ht wrk, fire watch cntact infrmatin (if required) and ht wrk cmpletin time at the university plice dispatch lcatin. 5.4 Displaying the Ht Wrk Permit The Ht Wrk Permit must be displayed in a visible lcatin any time ht wrk is in prgress. Failure t display this permit will result in an immediate stppage f wrk. The permit is valid nly fr the time perid displayed n the Ht Wrk Permit. 5.5 Ht Wrk Permit Infrmatin Each ht wrk permit issued by the university shall cntain at least the fllwing infrmatin: The effective time and date and defined wrk area; The hurs during which the surce f ignitin may be used, nt t exceed 8 hurs. If the wrk is t extend between shifts, a new permit needs t be issued; Signatures frm either the Directr f Facilities r Manager Maintenance Operatins and als the Assciate Vice President f Public Safety; Ntificatin shall be given t the campus plice dispatcher f all ht wrk requiring the fire alarm system t be taken ffline. The name and signature f the fire watch if ne is determined t be needed; Any fire alarm system shutdwns that have taken place; The specific lcatin r piece f equipment where the surce f ignitin will be used; Cntact infrmatin at the university in the event f an emergency; The nature f the use and surce f ignitin; and Any special precautins r limitatins t be bserved befre, during r after the use f the surce f ignitin, including the need fr fire watch. July

7 5.6 Terminatin f Ht Wrk Permit The ht wrk permit shall be terminated under the fllwing cnditins: When circumstances wuld make the cntinued use f the surce f ignitin hazardus; Any time the cnditins f its issuance change; and/r At the end f each shift (unless therwise nted). 5.7 Cmpletin f Wrk Upn cmpletin f ht wrk and final fire check, return the used permit t the facilities department. The permit will be kept n file fr a minimum f 6 mnths. 6.0 Fire Watch A fire watch shall be required fr all cutting and welding peratins in lcatins where a fire may develp, such as in the fllwing: Cmbustible material is lcated within 35 ft. f peratin and cannt be remved r prtected; Wall r flr penings are lcated within 35 ft. f peratin (NOTE: Fire watch shall be in psitin t bserve ppsite side f the wall r flr.); Cmbustible materials may be ignited by cnductin r radiatin thrugh a flr, wall, ceiling r rf. 6.1 Prcedures fr a Fire Watch A Fire watch shall: Have the nly duty f patrlling the wrk area, adjacent rms t the wrk area and abve and belw the wrk area and adjacent rms; Have fire-extinguishing equipment readily available and be trained in its use; Be familiar with the prcedures fr reprting fire; Try t extinguish fire nly in its incipient stage; Activate the fire alarm when necessary; and, July

8 Maintain the fire watch fr at least ne hur after cmpletin f welding r cutting peratins t detect and extinguish pssible smldering fires. The fire watch inspectin shall extend t flrs abve and belw the wrk area, and abve and belw adjacent rms. The fire watch shall sign the ht wrk permit ne hur after wrk has ceased and will leave permit hanging in place. In many cases, lss ccurs within ne t fur hurs after the ht wrk is cmpleted, which is why the university s insurance cmpany requires the wrk area be mnitred fr an additinal three hurs. This can be dne by assigning wrkers r security persnnel t the area r even mnitring the area thrugh vide cameras. The cntractr s fire watch will sign the permit ne hur after the wrk has been cmpleted ONLY if university building and grunds persnnel have been assigned t perfrm the additinal three hurs f mnitring the wrk area. At the time where the university mnitring takes ver, he/she will cunter sign the fire watch permit. Upn cmpletin f the fire watch, part 2 f the ht wrk permit shall be signed and returned t the Manager Maintenance Operatins where all cpies f the permit shall be filed. 7.0 Persnal Prtective Equipment 7.1 Eye Prtectin Persns in the welding wrkplace shall wear apprpriate eye and face prtectin t prtect against radiant energy and spatters. Such prtectin shall be in cnfrmance with 29 CFR (b) (2). 7.2 Respiratry Prtectin Welders shall be prtected frm fumes and gases by an apprpriately engineered ventilatin system. Where this is nt pssible, apprpriate persnal respiratry prtectin shall be used as prescribed by fllwing 29 CFR , OSHA s Respiratry Prtectin Standard. All cntractrs are required t fllw their cmpany respiratry prtectin plicy. The university may require cntractrs t prvide a cpy f their respiratry prtectin plicy fr review and t be kept n-site until wrk has been cmpleted under certain circumstances. 7.3 Skin Prtectin Clthing shall be wrn t prtect the welder frm sparks, radiatin, and spatter. Such clthing shall be flame resistant and free frm il r grease. Synthetic fabrics that can melt r burn shall nt be used. July

9 Prtective clthing shall cnsist f: flame resistant gauntlet glves; aprn r leggings; cape r shulder cver when welding r cutting verhead; fire resistant skull cap; fire resistant ear plugs when sparks may enter the ears; Clthing shall nt have cuffs, pckets, r rlled up sleeves. Sleeves and cllars shall be buttned; trusers shall verlap shes; and Flammable r cmbustible materials, e.g. matches, shall nt be carried n a persn where sparks r spatter may cme in cntact. 8.0 Emergency Ht Wrk Emergency ht wrk may be perfrmed nly after the Manager Maintenance Operatins has been ntified and the university plice dispatcher has been made aware f the wrk. The University understands that under extreme circumstances it may be necessary t perfrm ht wrk in emergency situatins. The prcedure fr emergency ht wrk is t ntify the Manager f Maintenance Operatins and he/she shall then ntify the university plice dispatched that the wrk has been apprved. Cntractrs cmpleting emergency ht wrk are required t fllw all ther aspects f this plicy. 9.0 Audit f Ht Wrk Prgram The ht wrk prgram at the University f New Haven shall be audited n a peridic basis t ensure cmpliance with this plicy. Peridic audits shall be perfrmed under the directin f the Assciate Vice President f Public Safety. In the event a cntractr is fund t be in nn-cmpliance with the University f New Haven s ht wrk plicy, the cntractr s current and future wrk at the university may be jepardized. July

Management: Shop Coordinator, Shop Supervisor and Fire Safety Staff

Management: Shop Coordinator, Shop Supervisor and Fire Safety Staff FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Ht Wrk Plicy fr Wrk Perfrmed By University Emplyees 03/13/18 - Last Revisin INTENT: The intended purpse f this Plicy is t prvide a safe wrk/learning envirnment in University buildings