Injury Illness Prevention Plan - Flipbook - Page 66
13.28 WELDING, CUTTING, HOT WORK
TEAMWRKX Construction does not self-perform any welding or hot work whatsoever,
however these below guidelines are provided so that TEAMWRKX teammates will be
aware of safety in regard to Welding, Cutting, and Hot Work. Furthermore, all field
teammates are OSHA30 certified, with office teammates strongly encouraged. OSHA30
provides a basic knowledge of the hazards involved with Welding, Cutting, and Hot Work.
When welding is conducted, sparks are generated as a result of the fusing of metal and
intense heat applied from the welding torch. Because these sparks present a fire hazard,
welding companies subcontracted to TEAMWRKX Construction must have properly
trained teammates available for fire watch duty (required whenever hot work is
conducted, and for 30 minutes afterward). Furthermore, any and all welders/cutters must
be provided Hot Work training and have an active hot work permit completed (regardless
of being TEAMWRKX teammates or not). It is the responsibility of the fire watch
teammates and welders/cutters to work together to identify any and all combustible
materials near the working area where hot work is performed. Carelessly leaving such
materials can cause a fire; if it is not possible to relocate these materials then
guards/shields must be used in a manner so that the combustible materials could never
be ignited by an errant spark or by any activity related to hot work. If the hot work cannot
be performed safely, then it cannot be performed at all. Furthermore, if a fire extinguisher
is not present then the hot work cannot be performed; a fire extinguisher must be readily
available within 100 yards of hot work.
Any and all welding and hot work cannot be performed within a closed space as well; the
sparks and fumes generated from welding necessitates proper ventilation for workers.
When hot work is to be performed, adequate ventilation and/or respiratory equipment
must be provided to the teammate performing hot work, or to any other teammates who
are affected by the hot work. Means of ventilation include working outdoors in open
space, where the environment sufficiently protects the welder via wind and air. If the
particular material is still deemed as hazardous due to fumes that would be produced
during the welding/hot work process, then the teammate must wear sufficient
respiratory protection for that scope of work. Inside a building where air flow is not
guaranteed, ventilation such as fans (positioned so that sparks from welding are not
blown around the space), HVAC, and open doors or windows will help keep the air content
of the space safe for work. In the event ventilation cannot be guaranteed or is insufficient,
then respirators suitable for the required scope will be mandatory to wear and use.
Subcontractors must provide their teammates the required respirators and ventilation
equipment if their teammates are performing welding/hot work.
Elements that could cause a hazard include but are not limited to: hazardous
fumes/gases, dust, and combustible materials. And of course, any and all defective hot
Revised: October 2023
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