What is Hot Work and its Significance Onboard ?

Hot work on board vessels is not recommended unless:

• The ship is in a repair yard or in dry dock.
• There are no other viable means for repair.

All hot work on board ships shall be carried out in compliance with the procedures outlined below.

DEFINITION

Hot work is defined as any work capable of producing a source of ignition. This will include:

• Welding, flame cutting, heating and burning
• High powered electrical drilling and grinding operations
• Use of non-intrinsically safe electrical equipment in hazardous locations
• Any work that could generate an incendive spark or incendive temperatures.

Grit blasting, de-scaling on deck and in tanks and the use of pneumatic power tools generally present a lower risk, and hence is not within the definition of Hot Work. However when grit blasting in tanks, a hot work approval plan shall be submitted to the office for internal control.

RESPONSIBILITIES for HOT WORK ONBOARD

The Master is responsible for:

• Ensuring that a hot work plan is prepared and submitted to the office.
• Ensuring that all necessary preparations have been made and precautions taken
• Hot Work Permit properly issued in accordance with these procedures.

The Chief Engineer is responsible for:

• Preparing a hot work plan along with the Chief Officer.
• Preparation of the work site and the implementation of required safety precautions, required prior submitting the Hot Work Permit for approval by the Master.

The submission of hot work plans to the Office gives Shore Management the opportunity to veto the plan or impose (additional) conditions or requirements. Whilst approval by Shore Management constitutes permission in principle for the work to proceed, as agreed, the responsibility to plan the details and carry out the work safely and in compliance with these procedures remains with the Master, Chief Engineer and the ship’s staff involved.