Katie You would be well advised to do search on the HSE website where is there some good info. http://www.hse.gov.uk/index.htm

Katie. For hot work: If its work related you are best going straight to your insurance company and get their information. It is after all partly their risk, so they will not come after you with a big stick. Decent insurance companies such as Chartis or FM Global have good information packages for their clients. FM Global has one of the best hot work PtW’s that I have ever seen. Another reason for getting their advice is that your insurance small print WILL more than likely (99.99% certain) have a statement about your company not being fully covered for fire damage if you DO NOT use a hot work PtW. Other sources of information can be obtained from the “competent person” who completed your company fire risk assessment. The trouble is that I can give advice BUT, I haven’t seen your site and unless I actually see where you are and what the other hazards and risks are, I am sorry but I am rather reluctant to say more. Google hot work and you will get bags of information. Some of the university sites make good reading and are worth downloading from. For general fire safety in workplaces: There are currently 13 UK government guidance books out there free to download. Most fire brigades up and down the country make them available for downloading free from their web sites. I just picked one at random below. www.bucksfire.gov.uk/Buc...nthenewfiresafetylaw.htm Just pick the guide that is applicable for you. Also try this site for info. www.communities.gov.uk/fire/firesafety Best of luck.

One thing that Betta, Stuff4Blokes and Ray Rapp will agree on, is that when a PTW is designed that the fire watch component at the end is enforced strictly i.e. general rule of thumb is an hour over here and that the fire watch person is competent in the use of the fire fighting equipment provided for the task. You do not want a situation where a person threw the fire extinguisher into the fire thinking that was the way it operated. This actually happened. The broker route is the best option as Stuff4Blokes says, then they will advise you to contact the Insurance company if it is required.

Katie, I will respond to your question by first of all sharing this SAFETY ALERT: "Fire Incident from Hot Work". Incident Summary: A fire started inside a partially built cabin. The investigation identified that a worker was painting inside on the ceiling of the cabin. At the same time a welder climbed on top of the cabin and started the welding job. He failed to notice the hole which was made for the PVC pipe, or the painter working inside the cabin. The welding flux started to fall down inside the cabin through the hole, onto the layer of the wet paint and thermo coal, and the fire started. No injury or significant property damage occurred as emergency procedures were followed and the fire extinguished. Preventive Measures: 1.Block holes with fire blanket to avoid ingress of welding flux. 2.Use fire blanket to cover any flammable material near welding area. 3.No welding work allowed if there is a wet layer of paint or wood primer. 4.Supervisors should always inspect the work area before welding starts. 5.Ensure that the welded area is frequently sprayed with water to cool down any welding flux which may have fallen on the ground around the welding area. 6.Supervisors to discuss safe hot work procedures with workers before start of work. 7.Frequent monitoring of the hot work areas must be carried out by Supervisors. 8.If any doubt, request assistance from the HSSE Advisors. Conclusion: This incident is potential for significant property damage/personal injury if similar situation is repeated therefore, the above preventive measures can not be over emphasized. this gives you a general idea on how to handle any kind of hot work.

Visit the HSE site and download HSG 139.