The University Fire Safety Manual was developed to prevent the loss of life and property. The purpose of the Hot Work Policy section of the Fire Safety Manual is to minimize the effects of loss caused by fire or explosion during the operation of hot work equipment.

No hot work activity shall be conducted at any WSU facility until a hot work permit has been issued. All hot work activities covered under this policy that are performed without the use of a WSU permit shall be stopped by the Authorized Hot Work Representative or the Enterprise Risk Management & Insurance Programs Fire Marshal and the equipment will be placed out of service and/or removed from WSU property.

The principal hazard associated with portable hot work equipment is that of an ignition source in and around WSU facilities.

Hot Work is defined as any temporary maintenance, renovation, or construction by operation of a gas or electrically powered equipment, which produces flames, sparks, or heat that is sufficient to start a fire or ignite combustible materials.

Some examples of ignition sources are: open flame or torch, brazing or soldering, metals being welded or cut, molten slag or metal from work, sparks from work, dropped hot rivets.

The Enterprise Risk Management & Insurance Programs Fire Marshal will grant permit-issuing authority to Authorized Hot Work Representatives within the university. Maintenance contractors (excluding capital projects or major construction) who have been awarded work at WSU will be issued permits directly by the Enterprise Risk Management & Insurance Programs Fire Marshal.

The University's construction project specifications shall mandate that the awarded contractor for all capital projects shall provide evidence of their company's hot work policy and permit program.

The WSU hot work policy and permit program shall provide for the introduction of safety features and safety equipment as well as a pre-inspection of the area prior to any type of hot work activity being performed. The Office of Environmental Health & Safety in conjunction with Enterprise Risk Management & Insurance Programs will provide training to Authorized Hot Work Representatives who will issue permits to operators of hot work equipment.

An individual within the College of Education, College of Liberal Arts & Science, College of Engineering, College of Fine, Performing & Communication Arts, and Facilities Planning and Management who have been properly trained by the Office of Environmental Health & Safety and the Enterprise Risk Management & Insurance Programs in accordance with Michigan Occupational Health & Safety Association 29 CFR 1910 and the National Fire Protection Association 51B, on the safety aspects of cutting and welding hazards, shall be designated in writing and authorized by (Enterprise Risk Management & Insurance Programs) to inspect hot work activity sites and issue permits. Those individuals will be titled "Authorized Hot Work Representatives".

The Authorized Hot Work Representatives shall have the responsibility to ensure that the university's hot work policy and procedures are adhered to within their respective colleges and departments. If there is any violation of policy and procedures, the Authorized Hot Work Representatives shall have the authority to stop the hot work activity and place the equipment out of service and/or removed from WSU property with assistance of WSU Police. The following shall apply to all hot work activities performed on WSU property, including such activities performed in "Designated Areas" (maintenance shop areas) of WSU facilities. "Designated Areas" are those that meet the requirements of National Fire Protection Association 51B.

Statement of Responsibilities

State of Michigan Bureau of Fire Services

• Shall have jurisdictional authority over the university in compliance issues dealing with fire safety.

Enterprise Risk Management & Insurance Programs

• Has the overall responsibility of ensuring compliance with the WSU Hot Work Policy and Procedures Program.
• Provides oversight and guidance in the implementation of the program.

Office of Environmental Health & Safety/Enterprise Risk Management & Insurance Programs

• Will jointly be responsible for ensuring that Authorized Hot Work Representatives are trained in inspecting sites for hazardous conditions; proper use of gas and electrically powered hot work equipment; issuing of permits.

Dean of the College of Education, College of Liberal Arts & Science, College of Engineering, College of Fine, Performing & Communication Arts, Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning and Management

• Shall have, respectively, the overall responsibility for ensuring that all "Designated Areas", and cutting/welding personnel are provided with the needed equipment and resources to conduct operations safely.
• Will appoint an individual(s) to serve as the Authorized Hot Work Representative(s) from their respective areas and ensure that they receive appropriate training. Notification of the individual(s) appointed shall be reported to the Enterprise Risk Management & Insurance Programs Marshal.
• Provide that the appointed Authorized Hot Work Representative(s) will coordinate and issue all hot work permits and perform on-site inspection of all "Designated Areas."

Director of Design & Construction Services and Plant Operations & Maintenance, Facilities Planning and Management

• Shall have the responsibility of overseeing compliance with the university's construction project specifications with respect to all capital projects.
• Will maintain a copy of the hot works policy, procedures and permits of the general construction contractor for each project awarded. Any safety violations noted shall be forwarded to the Design & Construction Services Director, the Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning and Management and Enterprise Risk Management & Insurance Programs.
• Shall notify the Enterprise Risk Management & Insurance Programs Fire Marshal of any maintenance contractor (excluding capital projects or major construction) who will be performing hot work activities at WSU so that the Inspector can inspect the work site and issue hot work permits to the maintenance contractor.
• Shall ensure that hot work permits issued are placed on the hot work equipment. It is the responsibility of the maintenance contractor to provide the needed equipment and resources to conduct safe operations.
• Shall forward copies of certificates of insurance, confined space entry policy and lock out/tag out policy for all maintenance contractors to the Enterprise Risk Management & Insurance Programs.
• Shall coordinate all hot work activity and issue hot work permits for all trades and departments within the Facilities Planning and Management Division. The appointed Authorized Hot Work Representative will issue permits and conduct on-site inspections of all "Designated Areas."

Authorized Hot Work Representative

• Shall, in conjunction with the Enterprise Risk Management & Insurance Programs Fire Marshal and the hot work operator, ensure that all equipment used in the operation is in good working condition; that an appropriate class of fire extinguisher is on hand; that the permit is posted to the site on the hot work equipment.
• Shall maintain a safe area throughout the operation, and if at any time during the operation a hazardous condition is noted will ensure that the operation is immediately ceased until the hazard is abated.
• Shall fully brief hot work operators on the hazards involved; fire reporting procedures, and building emergency evacuation procedures, with the assistance of the Enterprise Risk Management & Insurance Programs Fire Marshal.

Hot Work Equipment Operator

• It is the responsibility of affected university personnel and maintenance contractor personnel to provide or obtain personal protective equipment. The required personal protective equipment is dictated by the type of work to be performed and the hazards present during the work. Any questions/concerns regarding personal protective equipment should be directed to the Office of Environmental Health & Safety.