Fire Safety Hot Work Permits

Hot work is any type of work that has the potential to start an unintended fire because of the nature of the work being performed. Activities such as grinding metal, welding and using an open flame like a cutting torch are examples of hot-work.

Much hot-work is carried out as a matter of routine without hot-work permits in industrial establishments and on construction projects.

This course focuses on when hot-work permits would be appropriate and introduces participants to the elements required in a hot-work permit system. Roles and responsibilities of workplace parties involved in hot-work are discussed in detail.

The course provides participants with an understanding of how fires start and how to prevent them. It explains the stages of a fire and the conditions necessary for a fire to burn (the fire triangle). Participants learn the different classes of fire and the classes of fire extinguishers used to fight them.

Emphasis is put on understanding how to prevent unintended fires and how to extinguish them if it can be done safely before they get out of control. Understanding when it is appropriate for a worker to attempt to put a fire out and when it is not is essential.

The course covers the importance of a fire safety plan, emergency response and evacuation procedures. Participants are challenged to develop safe work procedures for various case scenarios where a hot-work permit would be appropriate.

Legeslative References

• Occupational Health & Safety Act

• Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Fire Protection and Prevention Act
• R.R.O. 1990 Reg. 851, s. 123 (1)
• The Ontario Building Code
• The Ontario Fire Code Reg. 388/97
• National Fire Prevention Association

Target Audience

This course is designed for those who organize or perform hot work under a hot-work permit system including: Workers, Supervisors, JHSC members, and Safety Representatives
 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course participants will be able to:

• Identify the stages of a fire and explain the fire triangle
• Explain the classes of fire and what differentiates them from each other
• Identify the classes of fire extinguishers
• Discuss the roles and responsibilities of workplace parties
• Discuss the elements of a hot-work permit system
• Discuss methods of fire protection for hot work
• Discuss fire safety planning, emergency response and evacuation procedures
• Discuss when it is appropriate to attempt putting out a fire and when it is not
• Demonstrate proper technique for using a fire extinguisher