Someone has asked me if you are warming pipes containing an inert substance in a safe area with a handheld torch, in order to unblock a blockage, which heating the pipes will melt the content and remove the blockage. Is this warming process considered hot working?

Ive reviewed HSE data and its not defined as hot working.

Can anyone advise please.

It all depends on what your current ysytemis for controllinh high hazard work, if indeed you have one. Not trying to be flippant thereby the way. What I mean is yiu should have a system for controlling highhazard work such as work at height, confined space work, hot work etc. You are entitled to set the parameters for deciding which work falls into which category yourself. There is guidance available for hot work but it is only guidance.

You should look at the type of work, and the environment in which the work is being undertaken. If the work is routine, it is normally controlled through risk assessment and a suitable safe system of work. If it is non-routine then you may decide to control it through the use of a permit system. You should look at how the work will be done, who will do it, how competent they are to do it, and where it will be done. In doing this, from the point of view of hot work, you will be looking at the risk of the work resulting in a fire, not just to the work being done, but to the surrounding areas. So is there any flammable material stored in the area, flamable waste, flammable construction? Can heat be conducted along the pipe work to other areas where such conditions exist?

Ultimately it is up to you to decide which system suits your operation.

You don't say what the inert material is, or what the blockage is.

Slightly off topic, but using a torch is not a very controlled way in which to raise the temperature. Have you considered what might happen if it gets too hot and perhaps boils?

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Edited by user 15 November 2016 08:26:30(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Many insurers will insist (or at least expect) that any use of naked flame in an otherwise flame-free environment be only done under the conditions of a Permit.