A Division of Cook Professional Resources, Inc dba Safety Trainers
PO Box 3488, Worcester, MA 01613 • 508-799-2857 • F: 508-799-8883 • www.safetytrainers.com
For Immediate Review Effective July 1, 2018
Requirements for welding, cutting and hot work permits have changed for manufacturing.
As a result of the tragic fire on March 26, 2014, where two Boston firefighters were killed from a fire that started by unpermitted and improper welding activity, all employees performing hot work must be trained by a Massachusetts state approved training program.
You need to review the definitions and terminology around this new requirement and make sure your current hot work permitting process is also up to code. Your local fire departments willnow be responsible for issuing permits to do hot work on a daily basis. There are some exemptions, but you need to prove exemptions and work with your local fire departments.
Let’s start with the simple definition of hot work.
Hot work is any work process that involves heat, spark, or flame that is capable of starting fires or explosions. Examples include, but are not limited to, welding, cutting, grinding, soldering,heat treating, hot riveting, torch applied roofing, abrasive blasting, and powder driven fasteners.
Does your current hot work internal permitting process include any of the following;
- A licensed professional in specialized code (ex: licensed plumbers, electricians, sheetmetal workers. Etc.)
- Working in a designed area that has been pre-approved by the fire or building officials.
- A minimum of a 30-minute fire watch after completion
- An annual permit from the fire department
- A permit authorized individual (PAI) who is also “qualified”
- Does your hot work permit include work location, type of hot work, the work to be done, the operator, duration, equipment, and controls to ensure safety?
- A clear definition of permitted vs. designated area
You should be reviewing your current hot work permitting process today. Make sure that you are up to date with the new hot work permitting requirements. Even if you said yes to all of theabove, you are still out of compliance, if your employees do not have a certificate from one of the two approved training programs. This training program, currently, cannot be done in-house.
Who must complete a training program?
A qualified person must provide documentation that he or she has successfully completed an approved training program in order to serve in any of these capacities:
- Anyone who performs hot work.
- Anyone who serves as a “Permit Authorizing Individual” (PAI) to perform, supervise or delegate hot work;
- Anyone who performs as a fire watch except fire department fire details.
- Anyone who needs a permit from the local fire department to conduct such work.
Approved Training Programs
The following training programs have been approved by the State Fire Marshal:
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) – Hot Works Safety Certificate 1-Day Program
Gould Construction Institute Hot Works Training
Resources
Fire Safety Requirements in Massachusetts PDF download
https://www.mass.gov/doc/welding-cutting-other-hotworks-fire-safety-requirements-in-ma
Frequently asked Questions
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/welding-cutting-other-hot-works