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 where temprary ht wrk may be perfrmed. Ptential health, safety and prperty hazards can result frm the fumes, gases, and sparks, ht metal, pen flames and radiant energy prduced during ht wrk. These, and ther hazards, can be reduced thrugh the implementatin f effective cntrls as utlined in this Plicy. This Plicy is written t be in cmpliance with OSHA 1910 Subpart Q and NFPA 51B. SCOPE: This plicy applies t all University at Albany emplyees and temprary hires invlved in ht wrk, including burning, welding, cutting, grinding, heat treating r braising f metals r a similar peratin that is capable f initiating fires r explsins, in areas ther than thse designated specifically fr that purpse (even wrk perfrmed utside). RESPONSIBILITIES: Management: Shp Crdinatr, Shp Supervisr and Fire Safety Staff Management r a designated agent shall be respnsible fr the safe peratins f ht wrk activity. Management shall establish permissible areas fr ht wrk. Management shall designate a permit authrizing individual (PAI). Management shall ensure that all individuals invlved in the ht wrk peratins, are familiar with the prvisins f this plicy. Management shall discuss this plicy and planned prjects cmpletely, including the type f ht wrk t be cnducted and the hazards in the area. It is the respnsibility f the Fire Safety staff, when requested, t prvide their prfessinal expertise in cntrlling ptential fire hazards t Supervisrs and University staff invlved in the preplanning f a jb that requires ht wrk. Permit Authrizing Individual (PAI): PAI is generally a Shp Supervisr r their designee. In cnjunctin with management, the PAI shall be respnsible fr the safe peratin f ht wrk activities. The PAI shall cnsider the safety f the Ht Wrk Operatr and Fire Watch Operatr with respect t persnal prtective equipment (PPE) fr ther special hazards beynd ht wrk. The PAI shall determine site-specific flammable materials, hazardus prcesses, r ther ptential fire hazards that are present r likely t be present in the wrk lcatin. The PAI shall ensure the prtectin f cmbustibles frm ignitin by the fllwing means: (1)*Cnsidering alternative methds t ht wrk, such as cld cutting methds r drilling (2) Mving the wrk t a lcatin that is free frm cmbustibles (3) If the wrk cannt be mved, mving the cmbustibles t a safe distance f at least 35 ft (11 m) r having the cmbustibles prperly shielded against ignitin by a welding screen r blanket. As sparks can travel lng distances, there shuld be n gaps in the barriers r blankets. Welding screens shuld extend all the way t the flr t prevent sparks frm leaving the wrk area and welding blankets shuld cmpletely cver 1
cmbustibles and leave n gaps. All wall, ceiling and flr gaps need t be prtected and/r sealed. (4) Scheduling ht wrk s that peratins that culd expse cmbustibles t ignitin are nt begun during ht wrk peratins It is the respnsibility f each Shp Supervisr, whse emplyee(s) engage in ht wrk, t insure that the guidelines in this Plicy are implemented and hazards are cntrlled, s as nt t present an expsure t University emplyees, students and visitrs. It is als the respnsibility f the Shp Supervisr t insure that the emplyee(s) they designate t perfrm ht wrk is trained n this plicy, and utilizes the necessary prcedures and equipment, s as t minimize that emplyee s wn expsure t the hazards generated. The Shp Supervisr shall als ensure all applicable University plicies are fllwed during the entire ht wrk prject, including befre the ht wrk cmmences. All equipment shall be examined t ensure it is in a safe perating cnditin by a knwledgeable designee. When fund t be incapable f reliable safe peratin, the equipment shall be repaired by qualified persnnel prir t its next use r be withdrawn frm service and tagged ut f service. PAI shall ensure that nly apprved apparatus, such as trches, maniflds, regulatrs r pressure reducing valves, and acetylene generatrs, are used. PAI will determine if a fire watch is necessary, depending n the fire hazards nearby the ht wrk area. See belw. PAI shall issue the ht wrk permit nly after all the abve has been cmpleted. PAI must ntify the Pwer Plant Base immediately befre the ht wrk cmmences, s that the date, time and lcatin f the ht wrk is lgged in at the Plant. PAI shall inspect ht wrk area befre any ht wrk cmmences and at least nce per day while the permit is in effect t ensure a fire safe area. This inspectin shuld be dcumented. This can be dne by the PAI initialing the permit and denting the date and time f the inspectin n the permit. Ht Wrk Operatr: The Ht Wrk Operatr shall handle the equipment in a safe manner, minimizing risk t lives and prperty. The Ht Wrk Operatr shall have their supervisr s and PAI s apprval befre starting any ht wrk peratins. All equipment is t be in ptimal wrking rder. Equipment nt in ptimal wrking rder shall be repaired r replaced prir t beginning ht wrk. The Ht Wrk Operatr shall stp all wrk if unsafe cnditins develp, and ntify the PAI and/r their Supervisr immediately. The Shp Supervisr and/r PAI shall determine when the hazard is abated and the wrk may resume. Fire Watch Operatr: If deemed necessary by the PAI, a fire watch will be implemented by the Fire Watch Operatr. The Fire Watch Operatr must be smene ther than the Ht Wrk Operatr. The duties f the Fire Watch Operatr are listed under the sectin entitled Fire Prtectin. * Imprtant As mst fires caused by ht wrk ccur after the wrk has been cmpleted, a fire watch must cntinue fr at least 30 minutes after the ht wrk has been cmpleted. The PAI may extend the length f the fire watch depending n the fire hazards present. Accrding t OSHA 1910.252 and NFPA 51B: A fire watch shall be required by the PAI when ht wrk is perfrmed in a lcatin where ther than a minr fire might develp, r where the fllwing cnditins exist: 2
1. Cmbustible materials in building cnstructin r cntents are clser than 35 ft (11 m) t the pint f peratin. 2. Cmbustible materials are mre than 35 ft (11 m) away frm the pint f peratin but are easily ignited by sparks. 3. Wall r flr penings within a 35 ft (11 m) radius expse cmbustible materials in adjacent areas, including cncealed spaces in walls r flrs. 4. Cmbustible materials are adjacent t the ppsite side f partitins, walls, ceilings, r rfs and are likely t be ignited. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: General Cutting and Welding Cntrls If pssible, perfrm the ht wrk in designated shps nly. In the event this is nt pssible, then areas where ht wrk is t be dne shuld be prperly prepared prir t wrk cmmencement. The fllwing cntrls shuld be implemented: Cutting and welding peratins are restricted t prperly trained and authrized individuals nly. Mve cmbustible materials at least 35 ft (11 m) frm the wrk site. If this is nt pssible, then prtect cmbustible items with metal guards r flameprf curtains r cvers. (Ordinary tarpaulins r clths are nt acceptable prtectin). Cver flr, ceiling and wall penings/penetratins lcated 35 ft (11 m) r less t the wrk site, t prevent ht sparks frm entering ceilings, walls r falling beneath flrs t a lwer level. All flrs shall be swept clean befre ht wrk is t cmmence. Use fire resistant curtains and/r tinted shields t prevent fire, emplyee burns and UV light expsure. Wden flrs must be cvered with wet sand r sme ther nncmbustible material. Ventilatin and Atmspheric Testing Ht wrk shuld nt be cnducted in the presence f flammable gases, vaprs, liquids, r dusts (where an explsive cncentratin can develp). Atmspheric testing with a cmbustible gas meter prir t wrk cmmencement, and peridically thereafter, shuld be cnducted, if the atmsphere in the wrk area has the ptential t becme hazardus. (Refer t the University Cnfined Entry Plicy.) Ventilatin f the wrk site, either thrugh lcal r general exhaust ventilatin, shuld be adequate fr the wrk perfrmed. The vent terminatr f a lcal exhaust system must nt be lcated near peratinal air intakes t any University building. Fire Prtectin The Fire Watch Operatr, smene ther than the Ht Wrk Operatr, shuld perfrm fire watch duty, if deemed necessary by the PAI. This duty includes remaining n the wrk site fr at least 30 minutes after ht wrk peratins have ended. In additin, the fllwing steps shuld be taken: A fire extinguisher rated nt less than 2-A: 20-B: C must be available in shp areas where ht wrk is perfrmed. A fire extinguisher rated nt less than 2-A: 10-B: C must be attached t all prtable cutting and welding carts. 3
Building fire extinguishers shall nt be remved frm their lcatin fr use in ht wrk peratins. Building fire extinguishers shall nt be cnsidered when prviding the minimum required fire extinguishers fr ht wrk peratins. An actual fire extinguisher f the apprpriate size and type must be present in the area where ht wrk is being perfrmed. If a building r area is equipped with a sprinkler system, then that system must be peratinal when the ht wrk is perfrmed. (***If there is a questin abut the fire detectin system, then refer t the Fire Safety Office befre beginning any ht wrk.) REPORT FIRES via 911 System, Blue Light Autmatic Dial Telephnes (ADTs), calling 518 442-3131 r thrugh the building fire alarm system manual pull statin. Be aware f any smke r heat detectrs in the area befre beginning the ht wrk. If necessary t avid setting ff the fire alarm fr the building, Pwer Plant must be cntacted t disable the smke detectrs in the immediate area. Once the ht wrk is cmpleted, the Pwer Plant must be cntacted t turn the detectrs back n. Persnal Prtective Equipment (PPE) PPE specifically designed fr ht wrk shuld be prvided t and utilized by emplyees perfrming the ht wrk. Shp Supervisrs shuld cnsult the Envirnmental Health and Safety Office (EH&S), if they have a questin regarding emplyee expsure and the PPE necessary t prtect them. Ht Wrk in Cnfined Spaces Any ht wrk dne in cnfined spaces, whether designated Permit Entry r nn-permit entry, will fllw Permit Entry Required prcedures fr cnfined spaces. The very nature f ht wrk in a cnfined space makes the atmspheric hazards f that space a danger t emplyee health. Cnsult EH&S befre cnducting ht wrk in any cnfined space (labeled r therwise). A cmbustible gas meter must be used befre and during the ht wrk t ensure that there are n atmspheric hazards in the area. Cmpressed Gas Cylinder Strage and Handling The safe strage and handling f cmpressed gas cylinders is an imprtant part f cutting and welding peratin. The fllwing steps shuld be fllwed: Oxygen and fuel gas cylinders shuld be stred separately with the prtective valve caps in place. Except when in use, xygen and fuel gas cylinders shuld be stred at least 20 ft apart r separated by a nncmbustible wall at least 5 ft high. Cylinder carts equipped with a cylinder restraint, such as a chain r strap, must be used fr the transprting f all cmpressed gas cylinders. All cylinders must be secured, when stred r in use. Securing devices in strage shuld prevent the tipping ver f the cylinder. When in use, cylinders shuld remain n a welding cart and be secured t that cart. All cylinders nt in use must have their prtective valve cap in place. Regulatrs must be cmpatible with the cylinder and its cntents. Regulatrs are gas 4
specific, s make sure the crrect regulatr is used. HOT WORK PERMITS: Ht wrk cannt be perfrmed withut the issuance and psting f a ht wrk permit* prminently at the jb site, except in thse shps that have areas dedicated t ht wrk. The Ht Wrk Permit prcedure is as fllws: The PAI will issue the Ht Wrk Permit t the Ht Wrk Operatr nly after reviewing the safety f the jb site fr ht wrk t be perfrmed and the safety precautins being taken by the Ht Wrk Operatr. Each permit is jb specific and the PAI will determine the length f time fr which the ht wrk permit is valid (nt t exceed 24 hurs). The Permit must have the emergency numbers fr the University (911 r 518 442-3131 fr the University Plice and 518 442-3444 fr the Pwer Plant Base) listed n it. The PAI is then respnsible fr ntifying Pwer Plant Base, having the date and time f the jb put in the prblem lgbk, prir t cmmencing wrk. At the end f the jb, the Shp Supervisr r PAI shuld take the cmpleted permit, attach it t the riginal permit and then give it t the Custmer Service Office in HU 0043 t keep n file fr at least a year. The emplyee(s) assigned t perfrm the ht wrk (Ht Wrk Operatr) is t hang the Ht Wrk Permit at the jb site in a prminent lcatin. TRAINING: It is expected that any University emplyee engaged in ht wrk has received training frm their supervisr and develped the skills necessary t wrk in a safe and prfessinal manner. IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS: POWER PLANT: 518 442-3444 UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT: 911 FROM AN ON CAMPUS PHONE OR 518 442-3131 FROM A CELL PHONE CUSTOMER SERVICE: 518 442-3480 EH&S: 518 442-3495 FIRE SAFETY: 518 442-3400 REFERENCES: University at Albany s Cnfined Space Entry Plicy OSHA s Welding, Cutting and Brazing, 29 CFR 1910 Subpart Q OSHA s Persnal Prtective Equipment, 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I Permit Required Cnfined Spaces, 29 CFR 1910.146 Standard fr Fire Preventin During Welding, Cutting and ther Ht Wrk NFPA 51B Welding and Other Ht Wrk: Chapter 26 NYS Fire Cde *Blank Ht Wrk Permits can be fund in the Custmer Service Office in HU 0043. 5