Hot surfaces and processes toolbox talk

What it is

Contact with, or heat from, hot surfaces, materials and processes such as welding, causing burns and adding to heat load.

Controls to check, most effective first

1. Insulate, guard or shield hot pipes, vessels and machine parts so workers cannot touch them.
2. Allow hot equipment and materials to cool before handling, and mark hot surfaces with warning signs.
3. Use tongs, handles or mechanical aids to move hot materials rather than handling them directly.
4. Keep combustible materials and other workers clear of welding, cutting and other hot processes.
5. Wear heat-resistant gloves, long sleeves and face protection suited to the process, such as welding gauntlets and jackets.

Where it comes up on the job

Work steps from SafetyDocs templates that deal with hot surfaces and processes:

• Welding, solderingWeld and solder under a hot work permit, controlling fire, burns, eye injury and heat stressFrom Fire Sprinkler System Installation
• Cutting, grinding & weldingWork under a hot work permit and protect against fire, burns, flash and heatFrom Structural Steel Construction
• Gas welding, soldering & cuttingControl fire, burns, eye injury and heat stress during hot workFrom Rough-in Final Fit-out Plumbing
• Pizza makingOperate the oven safely, managing fire and avoiding burnsFrom Wood Fired Pizza Oven (Mobile)
• Polyethylene Pipe Welding (PPW)Control fire, weather, burns and facer hazards when welding polyethylene pipe.From Plumbing Drainage

Questions for the crew

1. Where could hot surfaces and processes come up on this job today?
2. The most effective control is: “Insulate, guard or shield hot pipes, vessels and machine parts so workers cannot touch them”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
3. Which controls for hot surfaces and processes are missing or not working on this site?
4. When would you stop work because of hot surfaces and processes, and who would you tell?
5. How do we report a hazard, a near miss or an incident on this job?