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Major Risk - Hotwork

Some events may involve Hot work, which is defined as any temporary operation that can generate flames, heat or sparks such as:

  • Use of open flames (ie: fires, candles, small oil burners)
  • Use of gasoline or fuels (ie: gas burners)
  • Use of internal combustion engines that may produce sufficient heat to ignite flammable vapours.
  • Grinding, welding, soldering and acetylene cutting
  • Power operated tools that can cause sparks

Hot Work Procedure and Permit

The Facilities Management Directorate has an established Hot Work Procedure that requires a Hot Work Permit for any works that may cause or potentially generate flames, heat, sparks or otherwise provide a source of ignition.

Risk Assessment

Event organisers must ensure a Risk Assessment is conducted to identify any potential Hot Work related issues, and ensure that all necessary procedures and permits are obtained from the Facilities Management Directorate and applied prior to any Hot Work being conducted in relation to any event.

If a Hot Work related issue is identified during the Risk Assessment, the CQUniversity Facilities Management Directorate must be contacted before further actions are taken.

Further Information

The following resources will provide further information in relation to Hot Work at events:

 

Below are some examples of hazards, risks and controls associated with hot work at events

Hazards

Risks

Controls
  • Leaving open flames/fires unattended
  • Persons coming into contact with fuel sources or naked flames
  • Using flammable liquids and gases without appropriate emergency shutoff systems and/or procedures
  • Heat from internal combustion engines igniting flammable vapours
  • Sparks and heat from grinding, welding, soldering, cutting etc
  • Sparks from power operated tools
  • Build up of static energy from abrasive blasting works
  • Breach of legislative requirements
  • Breach of CQUniversity policies & procedures and/or license/permit requirements
  • Endangering the personal safety of contractors, staff, students visitors and others at events
  • Increased risk of adverse situation requiring emergency response
  • Risk of fire to property and equipment
  • Reputational damage to University
  • Legal action
  • Regulatory prosecution / fines
  • Conduct Risk Assessment to determine all sources of Hot Works
  • Obtain appropriate approvals and permission to conduct Hot Works
  • Ensure all external contractors have undergone the CQUniversity Online Induction
  • Ensure approved open flames/fires are not left unattended
  • Eliminate possibility of persons coming into contact with fuel sources or naked flames
  • Ensure appropriate emergency shut off systems and/or procedures are in place
  • Ensure relevant event personnel are made aware of emergency shutoff and emergency response procedures
  • Ensure all heat sources are moved away from possible flammable sources.
  • Ensure appropriate controls are in place to deal with sparks and static energy from activities and equipment.