Construction Library
Health & Safety
Hot works
Hot works are activities that create heat, sparks or flame, such as welding, grinding or cutting, and are a major cause of site fires.
Hot works are any activities that generate heat, sparks or an open flame, such as welding, grinding, soldering, cutting and using blowtorches. They are one of the most common causes of fire on construction sites, often because material smoulders unnoticed and ignites after the work has finished.
Because the risk is high, hot works are usually controlled by a permit to work, with a fire watch kept during the task and for a period afterwards, and the area checked before anyone leaves.