Published 26 Sept 2025
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3 min read
What is a Hot Work Permit?
A hot work permit is a legal requirement in certain areas or job sites that gives workers or contractors the authorization to proceed with hot work activities. It serves as proof that the workers and others involved in the hot work are aware of the hazards of hot work and have implemented safety precautions to mitigate the hazards of the job.
What is Hot Work?
Hot work is a job or activity that involves the cutting, welding, soldering, deforming, melting, drilling, or bending of metals or other materials with the use of fire, sources of extreme heat, or other methods that produce sparks and heat. The heat and sparks generated by the hot work have the potential to land on flammable substances and cause unintended fire.
Definition by the OSHA
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), hot work is “work involving electric or gas welding, cutting, brazing or similar flame or spark-producing operations.” As such, other activities like grinding, sand blasting, and pipe thawing are also considered hot work.
Why is it Important?
A hot work permit is important because hot work activities pose a fire risk to the workers, other people, and the vicinity where the hot work is taking place. According to a recent report by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), hot work has caused thousands of structure fires that resulted in millions of dollars worth of property damage, hundreds of injuries, and fatalities.
Hot work permit is crucial before contractors can begin with the hot work not only because OSHA and other regulatory bodies require it but, more importantly, because it helps make the workers become aware of the fire hazards that come with hot work and it prompts them to take appropriate steps to protect themselves and the worksite against fire hazards.
What is the Validity of a Permit?
Hot work permit is valid for 24 hours and only for the exact location where the work is going to take place. The hot work permit is validated and signed by the permit-authorizing individual, who should always be different from the person doing the hot work.
How to Conduct a Hot Work Permit Inspection
Conducting a hot work permit inspection will involve the use of a hot work permit template by the designated safety officer. This template will help guide the safety officer in covering the following:
Inspect the vicinity and make sure that safety precautions are followed especially within the 35 ft radial “sphere.”
Confirm that the equipment is in good working condition.
Ensure that flammable materials are removed from the work area or, if cannot be removed, shielded from sparks.
Verify if fire retardants are in the right places. This will serve as a means to protect people and property from sparks.
Ensure that there are no flammable liquids or vapors and that there is no risk of explosion.
Confirm that there is continuous fire watch for the duration of the hot work and also for 30 minutes after. Depending on the location of the work, there may be a need for a fire watch above, below, or adjacent to the hot work.
Check if there’s a fire extinguisher available and workers know how to use it.
Ensure that confined space or Lock-Out-Tag-Out procedures are followed.
Record the individuals involved.
The signature of the permit-authorizing individual should be on the permit.
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