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Safety Guidelines for Hot Work in Oilfields

Between 2005 and 2015 there were 28 deaths due to fires or explosions from hot work at oil and gas extraction sites. These incidents often occurred due to improper hot work practices or assuming empty equipment was safe. Storage tanks and other equipment containing hydrocarbon residues presented flammable and toxic hazards, requiring monitoring and safety precautions like hot work permits, air monitoring, and proper ventilation before conducting hot work. Employers were responsible for conducting hazard assessments, establishing safety procedures, training workers, and verifying subcontractors follow procedures, while workers were responsible for following the procedures, which included obtaining permits and wearing proper PPE.

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51 views1 page

Safety Guidelines for Hot Work in Oilfields

Between 2005 and 2015 there were 28 deaths due to fires or explosions from hot work at oil and gas extraction sites. These incidents often occurred due to improper hot work practices or assuming empty equipment was safe. Storage tanks and other equipment containing hydrocarbon residues presented flammable and toxic hazards, requiring monitoring and safety precautions like hot work permits, air monitoring, and proper ventilation before conducting hot work. Employers were responsible for conducting hazard assessments, establishing safety procedures, training workers, and verifying subcontractors follow procedures, while workers were responsible for following the procedures, which included obtaining permits and wearing proper PPE.

Uploaded by

Ine Nurista
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Between

2005 and 2015

including
DEATHS due to fires
or explosions 28
hot work
deaths

Produced fluids, such as crude oil, flowback water, and produced water are brought to the surface, along with hydrocarbon
vapors and gases during production operations. These fluids are separated and stored on the production site in tanks which
require periodic monitoring and repair. Tanker/vacuum trucks and pipelines are used to transport and/or remove these fluids from
the production site.

There are flammable and toxic hazards (e.g. H2S, benzene) associated with hot work operations (burning, welding, using
fire-or-spark producing tools) on permanent and temporary storage and tanker/vacuum truck tanks and other equipment such as
heater/treaters, flowback tanks, interconnecting pipes, and produced water tankers which contain hydrocarbon residues.

Causes of these fatalities include improper hot work practices and assuming that empty oilfield
equipment does not present a fire or explosion hazard.

Employers
Must conduct exposure and hazard assessments at the worksite and Must implement and train workers on additional hazard control
review with workers, including: measures, including:
• Hazards of possible flammable/toxic hydrocarbons being present • Hot work permits and other safe work practices
• Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) on produced fluids (e.g. confined space, LOTO)
• Proper use and limitations of personal protection equipment (PPE), • Recognizing and eliminating ignition sources
including eye, face, skin, hearing, and respiratory protection, and fire (e.g. ground and bond equipment, intrinsically safe tools)
retardant clothing (FRC) • Air monitoring devices and procedures
• Emergency procedures
Must establish safe work practices and procedures for:
• Hot work, confined space work, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) work Must verify sub-contractors are following work practices/procedures
• Cleaning and venting tanks to safe areas before beginning work
• Monitoring (multi-gas meter) for H2S, oxygen, and flammable gases An Empty Tank Does Not Mean a Safe Tank
and vapors (e.g. lower explosive limits - LELs) — Check Every Tank Every Time
• Thawing frozen valves, hoses, and lines

Workers
• Follow employer’s work practices and procedures
• Use proper grounding/bonding
• Obtain appropriate hot work permits before beginning work
◦ Review with and have supervisors sign off on permit/audit work procedures
• Attend hazard communication training − know the contents and hazards of the tanks
you work on
• Control potential ignition sources (e.g. static, cell phones, open flames,
cigarettes, sparks from tools or metal objects, etc.)
• Use required PPE, air monitoring devices, and heed all alarms
• Evacuate unsafe work area and report hazards immediately

wellhea
d

If you’re uncertain about potential risks


or have questions,
STOP THE JOB AND ASK ─
IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
Through the OSHA/NIOSH/National STEPS Network Alliance, the participants
developed this Hazard Alert for informational purposes only. It does not
necessarily reflect the official views of OSHA or the U.S. Department of Labor.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers are responsible for
providing a safe and healthy workplace and workers have rights. September, 2016
design by:

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