Regarding the issuance of work permits for angle grinder cutting operations involving open flames
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As is well known, activities such as welding, gas cutting, using electric drills, and angle grinder cutting in workshops all require a fire work permit, and welding and gas cutting tasks can only be carried out by persons holding a welder’s certificate. However, tasks such as drilling or grinding with power tools are things that electricians and fitters may encounter as well; so is it also necessary for a welder to sign the hot work permit and carry out the work? Can electricians and plumbers not perform drilling and cutting tasks? Please answer, thank you!
Polishing with fire can be done, but it’s best to first pass the specialized safety training for working with fire
This post was last edited by q2774594 on 2016-7-26 at 15:33. Fire permits are classified into different levels; tasks that do not involve sparks, such as using electric drills or cutting tools, are not considered to be fire-related operations like welding. In our company, such tasks are covered by a level 2 fire permit. Of course, the specific classification depends on the location where the work is being carried out. If it is related to a particular manufacturing process, a risk assessment must be conducted on site, and depending on the level of risk, a level 1 or level 2 permit may be issued. In areas such as our company’s new hydrogen compressor unit, where work is done in environments with hydrogen, the level of safety measures required increases. The purpose of issuing higher-level permits is to ensure that higher-ranking managers also sign off and are aware of the risks associated with working in those hazardous areas. The implementation of each safety measure must be confirmed by the relevant responsible persons; a ticket should bear the signatures of the three key parties involved: those in charge of safety, those responsible for construction, and the supervisor. For upgraded tickets, HSE officials as well as the company’s management representatives are also required to sign off. If related departments, processes, or equipment are involved, relevant professional engineers must also give their approval before the ticket can take effect.
Your reply is very comprehensive and professional! Thank you! I didn’t make it clear above; this time, the angle grinder was used to cut the connection bolts on the cable tray. As time has passed, the cable tray has suffered severe corrosion and needs to be replaced; the connecting bolts could not be removed with a wrench, so a angle grinder had to be used. However, the safety officer from the Environmental and Safety Department wanted the welder to sign the fire permit, but it was actually a fitter who carried out the cutting work, so the welder was unwilling to sign. The Safety and Environment Department believes that a welder’s signature is necessary for hot work, so as to prevent safety inspections from considering it non-compliant. However, I think the area where cutting is to be done and the working environment are safe enough, and since electric welding or gas cutting is not required, a welder’s signature is not needed. Since no relevant standards were found, I came to seek advice.
Whoever starts the work signs off; there’s no such thing as reluctance – it’s a matter of accountability.
“\"Whoever performs the welding work must sign it.\" That’s right; the key issue is that when fitters and electricians replace cable trays, they use angle grinders, but the Safety and Environment department requires welders to sign the welding work permit, and welders certainly aren’t willing to do that.
Hot work does not necessarily refer to electrical or welding tasks; GB30871 clearly defines what hot work is. What matters is the measures that need to be taken and the environment in question when applying for a work permit, as these determine the level of hot work involved.