Hot work activities, vessel entry, and excavation are essential but potentially hazardous tasks performed in various industries such as construction, manufacturing, and oil and gas. These activities involve high risks due to the presence of flammable materials, confined spaces, and excavation-related hazards. To ensure the safety of personnel and property, it is crucial to implement a systematic approach through a Hot Work Permit and Vessel Entry / Vessel Box-Up / Excavation Permit system.
A Hot Work Permit is a formal authorization process that allows trained and authorized personnel to conduct welding, cutting, grinding, or any activity that generates sparks, flames, or heat in designated areas. It ensures that necessary precautions are taken to prevent fire, explosions, and other potential hazards during the hot work process.
On the other hand, Vessel Entry and Vessel Box-Up Permits are essential for personnel entering confined spaces within vessels or other confined structures. These permits are designed to safeguard workers from risks associated with hazardous atmospheres, limited visibility, and potential entrapment.
Hot Work Permit Requirements for Vessel Entry / Vessel Box-Up / Excavation Permit
DATE________________________ AM / PM______________________
VALID FROM___________________ TO___________________
PERMISSION IS GRANTED TO SECTION/CONTRACTOR________________
NAME____________________________________________________
NATURE OF WORK___________________________________________
LOCATION OF WORK__________________________________________
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS SHALL BE CHECKED BEFORE ISSUING THE PERMIT
(Please put tick [ ] mark in the appropriate box)
Hot Work Permit General Requirements
| S. No. | Items Required | Done | Not Required |
| 1 | Equipment / Work Area inspected. | ||
| 2 | Surrounding area checked/cleaned up: oil/ rags/grass etc. removed. | ||
| 3 | Sewers , manholes , CBD etc. and hot surfaces nearby covered. | ||
| 4 | Considered hazard from other routine/non-routine operations and concerned persons alerted. | ||
| 5 | Equipment electrically isolated and tagged. | ||
| 6 | Fire water hose /Portable extinguisher provided. | ||
| 7 | Fire water system checked for readiness. | ||
| 8 | Equipment blinded/disconnected/closed / isolated / wedge opened. | ||
| 9 | Equipment properly drained /depressurised. | ||
| 10 | Equipment properly steamed/purged. | ||
| 11 | Equipment water flushed. | ||
| 12 | Gas / Oxygen deficiency test done and found OK. | ||
| 13 | Shield against sparks provided. | ||
| 14 | Proper ventilation and lighting provided. | ||
| 15 | Proper means of exit provided. | ||
| 16 | Precautionary tags / boards provided. | ||
| 17 | Portable equipment / nozzles properly grounded. | ||
| 18 | Standby personnel provided for vessel entry. | ||
| 19 | Standby personnel provided for fire watch from Process / Maintenance / Contractor/Fire Department. | ||
| 20 | Iron Sulphide removed/ kept wet. | ||
| 21 | Area cordoned off. | ||
| 22 | Precautions against public traffic taken. | ||
| 23 | Clearance obtained for excavation from Technical/concerned departments. | ||
| 24 | Clearance obtained for road cutting from Technical/Fire/concerned departments. | ||
| 25 | Clearance obtained for dyke cutting. | ||
| 26 | Checked Flame / Spark arrestor on mobile equipment. | ||
| 27 | Checked for oil /gas trapped behind lining in equipment. | ||
| 28 | Welding machine checked for safe location. | ||
| 29 | Oxygen and Acetylene cylinders kept outside the vessel/tank. | ||
| 30 | Check for earthing/return connection to the equipment being welded. |
Note: For Items marked (*), clearance to be obtained from higher designated authority.
Special Instructions
- Following personal protective equipment are required (Check all items required):
- Safety Helmet / Gloves / Goggles / Safety Shoes / Boiler Suit /Welding Suit, Dust Respirator/Face Shield/Face Shield/ Fresh Air Mask/Apron/Life line/Safety Belt.
- In case of fire alarm, all work must be stopped and running fire water must be closed. All personnel must leave work site and proceed to designated areas.
- In case of liquid / gas release, stop work and immediately advise concerned Operation Personnel.
- Only certified vehicles/engines and permitted type of electrical equipment and tools are allowed in operating areas.
- Ensure proper grounding/earthing/insulation of cables.
- For hot tapping, ensure continuous/sufficient flow in the line.
- This permit must be available at the work site at all times.
- No hot work shall be permitted unless the Explosimeter reading is zero.
- Vessel entry, where no hot work is to be carried out, may be permitted if combustible gases are up-to 5% of lower explosive limit (LEL). Entry with an air supplied mask may be permitted with LEL of upto 50%. The oxygen level should be at least 19.5 % vol. and the concentration of toxic gases below the threshold limits.
- Additional remarks, if any:________________________________________
Name and____________________ Name and ________________________
Signature of Receiver_______________ Signature of Issuer__________________
Gas Test (Hydrocarbon / Toxic Gas/ Oxygen Permit Extended Additional Precautions
————————————————————————————————————————
DATE/ TAKEN TEST DATE/ ISSUER RECEIVER
TIME BY VALUE TIME
———————————————————————————————————————————————–
INITIAL GAS TEST
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NOTE: HOT WORK INCLUDES WELDING, BURNING, GRINDING, SOLDERING, SAND BLASTING, CHIPPING, RIVETING, DRILLING, CAMERA FLASHING, POWER TOOLS, IC ENGINE OPERATIONS/ENTRY, OPEN FLAME, VEHICLE ENTRY.
____________________AM / PM_______________________________DATE
WORK COMPLETED / STOPPED / AREA CLEARED AT _____________________
By____________________________ By____________________________
Signature Signature
____________________________ ____________________________
(Name of Issuer) (Name of Receiver)
(Please return permit to issuer)
Read Also:
WORK PERMIT TEST QUESTIONS ANSWERS IN PLANTS
FAQs about Hot Work Permit
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What is a Hot Work Permit, and why is it necessary?
A Hot Work Permit is a formal authorization process that allows trained and authorized personnel to conduct activities that generate sparks, flames, or heat, such as welding, cutting, or grinding. It is essential to prevent fire, explosions, and other potential hazards during hot work processes by ensuring that necessary precautions are taken.
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What are the key elements of a Hot Work Permit?
A typical Hot Work Permit includes details of the work to be performed, the location, the date and time of work, safety measures in place, identification of hazards, personal protective equipment requirements, fire prevention measures, and authorization signatures from both the permit issuer and the permit receiver.
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What is a Vessel Entry / Vessel Box-Up Permit?
A Vessel Entry / Vessel Box-Up Permit is a safety procedure followed before personnel enter confined spaces within vessels or other confined structures. The permit ensures that necessary precautions, such as gas testing, ventilation, and communication procedures, are in place to safeguard workers from hazardous atmospheres, limited visibility, and potential entrapment.
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Why is an Excavation Permit required?
An Excavation Permit is necessary before initiating any digging or excavation work. It ensures that proper safety protocols, such as identification of underground utilities, shoring or sloping of excavation walls, and protective measures for workers, are followed to minimize the risks of cave-ins and utility damage.
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Who is responsible for issuing and obtaining these permits?
The responsibility of issuing permits usually lies with designated safety personnel or supervisors who ensure that all safety requirements are met. Workers or contractors intending to perform hot work, vessel entry, or excavation must obtain the relevant permit by following the established safety protocols and procedures.