Hot Work Protocol

1. The purpose of our protocol

Our protocol sets out how Adelaide University (AU) conducts hot work activities on University premises or during University-related activities.

This protocol should be read in conjunction with the Permit to Work Procedure and the Hazard Management Procedure which gives effect to the Wellbeing and Safety Policy.

2. Our protocol applies to

2.1 Inclusions

members of our Adelaide University Community
in service equipment that generates heat or spark producing operations under our control

2.2 Exclusions

3. Our hot work management protocols

3.1 Roles and responsibility

University roles and responsibilities for the management of risks associated with hot work, are set out in the Permit to Work Procedure.

3.2 Ensuring the safe management of risks associated with performing hot work

The table below outlines key roles and responsibilities for Hot Work activities.

Role	Responsibilities	Protocols
Leaders – College /School/Portfolio/ Research Institute	Must: Confirm the hazard management and permit to work process is implemented Support the reporting of hazards and the implementation and communication of controls	Confirm that hazards associated with hot work are identified, risk assessed, and control measures implemented. Establish that a Responsible Officer has been appointed for the duration of hot work activities. Ensure staff, students and stakeholders are consulted with during the hazard identification and risk assessment process. Ensure that a Hot Work permit has been authorised via Rapid Global prior to commencement of work activities. Provide information, training, instruction and an appropriate level of supervision during hot work activities. Support the reporting of hazards and incidents associated with Hot Work in Unisafe as per the requirements of the Incident Management Procedure.
Hot Work Responsible Officer	Must: Enforce the requirements of the Australian Standard 1674.1 – Safety in welding processes Be appropriately training and experienced with the hot work activity	Complete a thorough inspection of the work area/ site prior to commencement of hot work activities. Identify and remove any inflammable or combustible liquids, gases, vapour, dust, fibres or substances) within 15 mts from the hot work activity Be familiar with the content of the Hot Work Permit. Ensure control measures identified in the risk assessment are implemented during the hot work activity.
Persons engaging Contractors	Must: Ensure Hot Work is safely controlled and complaint to the permit requirements Communicate with stakeholders involved or impacted by the work Oversee the permit application process Ensure contractors are inducted, qualified, licensed and hold the correct permit(s) for Hot Work activities	Be familiar with the requirements of Permit to Work procedure and processes Ensure contractors have a completed and lodged Permit to Work. Review the contractors Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) that outlines how they are managing Hot Work to mitigate risks and ensure safe working practices. Ensure all contractors have the appropriate licence, experience and have completed the relevant inductions.
Fire watcher	Must: Must be stationed in the area near the hot work. Remain on the job unless properly relieved by an authorised person. Inspect adjoining compartment, if heat transfer is possible. Take immediate action to combat any outbreak of fire that may occur and alert the Responsible officer if not the Fire Watcher.	Not allow hot work to proceed outside the area specified in the hot work permit. Ensure that an appropriate extinguisher is located within 10 mts of the work area and is used (if required) in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer or supplier of the equipment. Use PPE (e.g. eye protection to protect against flashes where work involves arc welding, cutting or arc gouging). Maintain a continuous fire watch over the hot work, paying attention to any changes in weather conditions (e.g. increase wind) whether any actions have been taken that may lead to a hazardous situation in the hot work area.
Staff/Students	Must: Submit the permit application promptly to avoid delays in the starting of work Follow the hazard management process	Provide documentation on the work, hazards, controls, risks, credentials, equipment used and other relevant information. Follow instruction and safe work practices. Submit their permit via Rapid Global the AU online permit system to avoid delays. If site conditions change and the permit needs to be updated, notify the person who engaged contractors, or the appropriate person. Report all incidents and hazards in Unisafe.
Wellbeing and Safety Team	Must: Ensure hazards associated with Hot Work are identified and managed.  Support the provision of information, training, instruction, and an appropriate level of supervision, to staff, students, and others where relevant.	Assist areas with the identification and assessment of hot work hazards as required. Assist in the identification of any specific information, training or instruction associated with control measures

3.3 Other work activities

For all other work activities in a welding workshop, that are not undertaken in a hazardous area or where the hot work constitutes a fire or explosion hazards, the activity is to be managed in accordance with the Hazard Management Procedure and authorised by the supervisor / person in control of the activity / area prior to commencement.

4. Definitions used in our protocol

The following definitions are applicable to this protocol, for generic Adelaide University definitions refer to the Glossary of Terms.

Firewatcher – is a person appointed and stationed in the area near the hot work for the purpose of safeguarding personnel and equipment where required by the hot work permit. They also ensure the control measures identified on the risk assessment are in place, to prevent any fire, explosion, injury or other danger developing during the performance of the hot work.

Hot Work - is any activity that incudes grinding, welding, thermal or oxygen cutting or heating, and other related heat producing or spark producing operations.

Hot Work Permit – is a permit that systematically controls hazards and reduces the risks of dangerous situations including fire that may be associated with the hot work activities. The permit is issued and authorised by the Supervisor / Responsible Officer and remains in place for the entire period of the hot work. The permit must be displayed in the specific location of where the hot work is being conducted. All persons working in the area at the time must review the contents of the hot work permit.

Responsible Officer – is a person having a satisfactory knowledge of the fire, explosion and toxicity hazards associated with hot work in hazardous areas and who is adequately trained and experienced in the testing procedures and precautions necessary for the elimination of risk involved.

5. How our protocol is governed

5.1 Compliance

The safe management of Hot Work activities at Adelaide University is conducted in compliance with the following established regulations and guidelines:

Legislation & Code of Practice

Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA)
Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA)
Abrasive Blasting Code of Practice February 2024
Welding Processes Code of Practice February 2024

Australian Standards

AS1596 LP Gas – storage and handling
AS1674.2 Safety in welding and allied processes Part 2: Electrical
AS1851 Maintenance of fire protection equipment
AS1851.1 Part 1: Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets
AS1851.3 Part 3: Automatic fire sprinkler systems
AS1940 The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
AS2118 Automatic fire sprinkler system
AS2118.1 Part 1; Standard
AS2275 Combustible gas detection instruments for use in explosive atmospheres
AS2275.2 Apparatus and systems
AS2430 Part 2: Performance requirements
AS2430.1 Classification of hazardous areas
AS2430.2 Part 1: explosive gas atmospheres
AS2430.3 Part 2: Combustible dusts
AS2444 Part 3: Specific occupancies
AS2812 Portable fire extinguisher and fire blankets – selection and location
AS2865 Welding, brazing and cutting of metals – Glossary of terms
AS3190 Safe Working in a Confined Space
AS4332 Approval and test specification – residual current devices (current-operated earth leakage devices)
AS/NZS 1020 The control of undesirable static electricity

University related documents and resources

WTIA Welding Technology Institute of Australia
Technical Note 7: Health and safety in welding
Technical Note 20: Repair of steel pipelines Others

5.2 Governance

This protocol is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.

Parent procedure	Authority to create and maintain this protocol is granted under the Permit to Work Procedure
Policy category	Corporate
Approving authority	Executive Director People, Advisory and Wellbeing
Policy owner	Deputy Vice Chancellor People and Culture
Responsible manager	Deputy Vice Chancellor People and Culture or their delegate
Effective from	1 March 2026
Review date	1 March 2029
Enquiries	Wellbeing and Safety Team
Replaced documents	None

6. History of changes

Date approved	To section/clauses	Description of change
28 Jan 2026	N/A	New protocol

Note on structures, positions and position titles:

At the time of writing, the organisational structure, positions and position titles for Adelaide University have not all been confirmed. Accordingly, square brackets [ ] temporarily enclose position titles in this procedure until position titles for Adelaide University are known.