“Fortunately accidents relating to hot work are rare, but when they happen the consequences can be horrific for all those involved. Failure to undertake suitable gas testing greatly increases the risk of Hot Work incidents.”
OSHA define Hot work as any work that involves burning, welding, cutting, brazing, soldering, grinding, using fire- or spark-producing tools, or other work that produces a source of ignition.
Arobase takes great pride in the quality of gas testers we send out to undertake hot work gas testing. Those who attend our courses benefit from over 40 years hot work gas testing experience, and we are equally proud to say – without a near miss! (That’s not to say we haven’t identified many near misses created by others!)
The purpose of this post is to highlight the major difference in hot work gas testing to general gas testing in hazardous areas and confined spaces.
We also want to make clear to all who read this – “Do not fool yourselves into thinking, just because you have attended a confined space gas testing course or even an OPITO gas testing course, you are automatically competent to undertake hot work gas testing!”
On numerous occasion we have followed “trained gas testers” and found explosive mixtures in vessels and pipework, poorly purge systems, and a lack of understanding of the complex issues related to hot work testing. And yet, the basic steps of hot work gas testing are simple if explained correctly.
Arobase uses the experience of our Gas Industry Scientists, Occupational Hygienists and Gas Testers – to produce training packages which have 6 very simple steps.
What’s so special you may be thinking? Why is this approach different? The answer is – the way the 6 steps are explained in clear detail.
If you don’t believe us, it’s not a problem, however, some who have experienced near misses and tragic accidents, have made the decision to only uses these courses to train their gas testers. If you would like to know more, feel free to get in touch.
To identify whether you may need additional training, answers the following questions.
- Does your hot work permit or procedure state – the flammable gas concentration has to be <10 %LEL before hot work begins?
- Do you have problems purging your installations.
- Does your equipment seem to magically re-gas itself after purging?
- Are your gas readings inconsistent?
- Do you understand the composition of the gases within your workplace?
- Do you use the same gas detector for confined gas testing and hot work testing?
- Do you know what toxic gases are produced by hot work?
- Can you explain the way flammable and toxic gases travel to and from your workplace?
If you are unsure how to answer any of these questions – you probably need additional training!
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