Whenever you are doing ‘hot work’—which includes welding, torch cutting, soldering, or even heavy grinding that throws a lot of sparks—you need to take two minutes to assess your immediate area using three simple rules.”
📋 The 3 Action Steps for the Crew
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1. Hunt for the ‘Combustible Triangles’: Before you strike an arc or start a saw, look around your immediate work area. Identify and remove any flammable materials. This includes cardboard boxes, sawdust, trash, oily rags, or exposed insulation. If you spot compressed oxygen or gas cylinders nearby that aren’t part of your immediate setup, move them out of the spark zone.
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2. Stage Your Extinguisher First: Never assume someone else left an extinguisher nearby. Locate the closest one before you start. If it is buried behind a pallet of material or is more than 50 feet away, move it directly into your work area. Make sure the pin is intact, the pressure gauge is in the green, and you have a clear, unblocked path to reach it.
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3. The 30-Minute Fire Watch: This is where many jobsites fail. Slag and sparks can smolder quietly in a wall joint, a pile of dust, or trash for hours before bursting into flames. Whoever is doing the hot work—or a designated partner—must remain on-site for at least 30 minutes after the work is completely finished. Watch the area, smell for smoke, and make absolutely sure the site is cold before you pack up your truck or head home.
🦺 Real-World Takeaway
Remember: A spark can fly up to 35 feet from a grinder or a torch. Fire safety isn’t just about what’s directly in front of your face; it’s about looking down, looking behind you, and looking through the floor grates below you. Let’s look out for each other, keep our hot-work permits updated, and move safety forward today.