Employees contemplating ‘hot work’
on used containers, and managers
overseeing it, are being urged to
check that the correct working
procedures are followed after two
people were killed in separate
incidents while cutting up drums.

‘Hot work’ includes any process
that generates a source of ignition,
such as naked flames, heat or sparks
arising from working methods such
as welding, flame cutting, grinding
and using disc cutters.

HSE Principal Inspector Edward
Marshall, says: “This alert is not
issuing new guidance but is to ensure
all relevant workers are aware and
familiar with the comprehensive
advice that already exists. In many
cases hot work may not actually be
necessary, and those ultimately
responsible for the work should
consider safer alternatives, such as
the disposal of drums rather than the
repair, and the use of cold-cutting
techniques or cold repair methods.

“If there is no alternative employers
should aim to avoid the risks, by using
specialist companies, or reduce them
using methods such as gas-freeing,
cleaning or inerting before starting
hot work.”
The safety alert can be found at:
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg314.pdf