Fire
Hot work, fire, and combustibles
Fires started by sparks and slag from welding, cutting, and grinding, plus burns from hot metal. 29 CFR 1926.352 requires moving or protecting combustibles and having fire extinguishing equipment ready during hot work.
Where it shows up
- Welding and cutting near wood framing or insulation
- Torch-down roofing
- Grinding near stored materials
- Cutting on tanks or pipes that held flammables
Controls, most effective first
Work down the list. Rely on PPE only for the risk the controls above it cannot remove.
| Level | Control |
|---|---|
| Eliminate or substitute | Use cold cutting, bolting, or press fittings in place of hot work where possible |
| Engineering | Move combustibles away, or cover them with fire-resistant blankets |
| Store oxygen cylinders at least 20 feet from fuel-gas cylinders and combustibles such as oil or grease, or behind a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet high with at least a half-hour fire-resistance rating | |
| Fire extinguisher at the work location | |
| Administrative | Hot work permit, if your company or the owner requires one |
| Fire watch during and after the work when the standard or permit requires it | |
| Check for hidden combustibles behind walls and below floors | |
| PPE | Welding helmet, jacket, and gloves |
| Flame-resistant clothing |
PPE to list on the JHA
Welding helmet, jacket, and gloves1926.102Flame-resistant clothingSafety glasses with side protection1926.102
OSHA standards
| Citation | Title |
|---|---|
| 29 CFR 1926.350 | Gas welding and cutting |
| 29 CFR 1926.352 | Fire prevention |
| 29 CFR 1926.150 | Fire protection |
Federal OSHA construction standards. State plans can be stricter, and owners or contracts can add requirements. This page is general information. Check the full standard for your work.