Hot Work Program
Steve Triebold
The purpose of the Penn State Hot Work Program is to prevent the outbreak of fire, fire alarm activations, and smoke and odor migration in university buildings from any temporary operation involving the use of open flames or which produces heat and/or sparks.
Program Applicability
The Hot Work Program applies to Penn State employees, students, and contractors who perform hot work activities in University buildings or on equipment where combustible or flammable materials may be present. Hot work includes temporary operations involving open flames or the production of heat and/or sparks.
Examples of hot work activities include welding, cutting, grinding, brazing, torch soldering, thawing pipes, torch‑applied roofing, and the use of heat guns. The program exists to reduce the risk of fire and protect people, property, and University operations.
Program Requirements
The Hot Work Program establishes requirements to ensure hot work is performed only when necessary and under controlled conditions.
General Requirements:
- Hot work should not be performed if it can be avoided or completed using a safer alternative.
- When practical, items to be welded, cut, or heated should be moved to a designated safe location, such as a maintenance shop.
- A Hot Work Permit must be completed before work begins, and all required precautions identified on the permit must be followed.
- Hot Work Permits are valid only for the date specified on the permit.
Supervisor Responsibilities:
- Identify individuals whose job duties include hot work.
- Ensure individuals are trained on hot work permit procedures.
- Provide, collect, and forward completed hot work permits to Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).
- Ensure compliance with all hot work procedures.
Employee Responsibilities:
- Be thoroughly familiar with hot work procedures.
- Follow all permit requirements and safety precautions during hot work activities.
Training Requirements:
- Hot work procedures.
- Fire extinguisher use.
Recordkeeping Requirements:
- Work units must maintain individual training records for employees covered under the Hot Work Program.
Documents and Forms
Program Materials
- Hot Work Program
- Hot Work Permit PowerPoint Presentation
Campus / Regional Hot Work Permits forms are to be completed prior to conducting any hot work related activities. Hot work permit forms for University Campus locations are listed below.
- Abington Hot Work Permit
- Altoona Hot Work Permit
- Beaver Hot Work Permit
- Behrend Hot Work Permit
- Berks Hot Work Permit
- Brandywine Hot Work Permit
- Dickinson Law Hot Work Permit
- DuBois Hot Work Permit
- Fayette Hot Work Permit
- Great Valley Hot Work Permit
- Greater Allegheny Hot Work Permit
- Harrisburg Hot Work Permit
- Hazleton Hot Work Permit
- Lehigh Valley Hot Work Permit
- Mont Alto Hot Work Permit
- New Kensington Hot Work Permit
- Schuylkill Hot Work Permit
- Scranton Hot Work Permit
- Shenango Hot Work Permit
- University Park Hot Work Permit
- Wilkes‑Barre Hot Work Permit
- York Hot Work Permit