Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01173:body:0:p44
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01173
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 113603–116400

work is to be conducted, should be free of oil, grease or any flammable or combustible materials. If necessary, combustible materials and dunnage should be moved to a safe distance before commencing hot work. Such working surfaces should also be free of materials that could release a flammable substance if disturbed.
All openings through which sparks might fall should be closed where practicable. Where closure is not possible, ensure that no flammable materials below can be ignited and that the area below is cordoned off to prevent persons accessing this area while work is occurring.
When welding is to be carried out near open hatches and other similar spaces, suitable screens should be erected to prevent sparks dropping down hatchways, hold ventilation or other similar spaces.
Cargo tanks, fuel tanks, cargo holds or other tanks or spaces (including cargo pumps and pipelines) that have contained flammable substances should be certified by a competent person as being free of flammable gases before any work commences (see section 7). The testing should be carried out at regular intervals and include the testing of any adjacent spaces, double bottoms and cofferdams.
When carrying out hot work on tankers and similar ships, all tanks, cargo pumps and pipelines should be thoroughly cleaned and particular care taken with the drainage and cleaning of pipelines that cannot be directly flushed using the ship's pumps.
Welding and flame-cutting operations should be properly supervised and a fire watch maintained, both in the operational area and all adjacent areas, including spaces on the other side of affected bulkheads. Due to the risk of delayed fires resulting from the use of burning or welding equipment, frequent checks should be made for at least two hours after the work has stopped.
Suitable fire extinguishers should be kept at hand. A person with a suitable extinguisher should also be stationed to keep watch on areas not visible to the welder that may be affected.
For hot work on or near cargo containment systems, Regulation 18.11 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code)[17] requires special fire precautions to be taken in the vicinity of cargo tanks and, particularly, insulation systems that may be flammable or contaminated with hydrocarbons or that may give off toxic fumes as a product of combustion.
Hot work near fuel tanks, fuel piping and insulation systems that may be flammable, contaminated with hydrocarbons, or that may give off toxic fumes as a product of combustion may only be undertaken after the area has been secured, confirmed safe for hot work and all approvals have been obtained.

9.2              Electric welding equipment
In order to minimise the risk of electric