Understanding the Risks of Hot Work in Maritime Settings

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  • Ensure to take safety precautions when essential while dealing with Hot Work.
  • Keep a watchful eye on adjacent spaces to monitor any potential hazards.
  • Complete a thorough Risk Assessment for hot work activities to identify and mitigate potential risks.

In the maritime sector, the safety of seafarers is critical, especially when we talk about dealing with Hot work. Hot work includes tasks that could flame up combustible gases, vapours, or liquids in presence of the work area, making it essential to adhere to proper safety measures, reports Safety4Sea.

What is Hot Work?

According to industry reports, hot work includes activities such as welding, burning, and using non-intrinsically safe electrical equipment, along with drilling and grinding near tanks or pipelines that may have contained hydrocarbons.

Implementing safety measures is crucial to ensure a secure working environment during hot work operations. 

Key Safety Measures 

To facilitate safe operations during hot work, the following practices must be taken into account:

  • Ensure all flammable materials removed from space AND adjacent spaces;
  • Have fire-fighting equipment available and ready for use;
  • Keep watch over adjacent spaces;
  • Test for presence of flammable gases;
  • Complete a Risk Assessment for HW;
  • Consider alternative work methods / equipment or deferral to refit.

The following things must be avoided at every cost:

  • Proceed without relevant permit
  • Deviate from Risk Assessment / permit
  • Conduct Hot works alone
  • Work in a space without fully understand present hazards

Implementing these safety measures helps protect seafarers and reduces the risk of accidents related to hot work. 

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Source: SAFETY4SEA