Hot work: Safety alert

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