Responsibilities and arrangements expected for the health and safety management of hot work.
The University defines 'Hot work' as any activity involving an open flame or capable of providing a source of ignition, for example welding (gas or electric arc), cutting, brazing, grinding, burning, or heating. It does not include routine laboratory or workshop operations in designated areas.
In addition to any injuries, fires caused by 'hot work' can have a significant adverse effect on the University's operations. This can include loss of teaching and research facilities and ultimately, loss of a University building.
We believe, if there is a practical method to carry out a task without involving 'hot work', this method should be used. If there is no other way to perform the work, a permit to work must be obtained via SOTERWeb (https://uog.soterweb.org.uk/), before the work starts. The requirement for a permit applies equally to University employees and to contractors.
If an employee or contractor is discovered performing 'hot work' without a permit, or outside the scope of an existing permit, the work will be stopped.