Public requirements for
Hot works

Central laws are the Working Environment Act and the Fire and Explosion Protection Act. These describe in an overall way how to behave in risky work. Among the important regulations that have specific provisions for hot work are regulations on the execution of work. It sets requirements for a risk assessment when equipment that can generate heat or sparks is used, and that flammable material in the vicinity of the workplace must be removed or shielded with non-combustible material. The responsibility for information and training lies with the employer with the participation of the employees and other personnel with HSE duties.

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Fire prevention measures

Regulations on fire prevention also have provisions regarding activities that entail a risk of fire. "Everyone has a duty to exercise caution when carrying out activities that may lead to fire", says this regulation. The requirement of caution includes both a duty to assess the risk of fire, and to stop or take suitable precautions to minimize the risk.

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Requirements for internal control

Companies that carry out hot work are, like other types of companies, also required to follow the provisions of the regulations on systematic health, environment and safety work in companies (the internal control regulations). Internal control entails, among other things, that the business must survey dangers and problems and, on this basis, assess risks, as well as prepare related plans and measures to reduce the risk conditions. The process must be documented in writing and repeated each time hot work is carried out. This applies both if the workplace for execution is organized or random.

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Excluding work
In cases where a client assigns work to a client, the Internal Control Regulations state that the client must use the client's internal control system as the basis for the activities covered by the assignment. In addition, the client must inform about any common rules and the like and ensure that any deficiencies are corrected or necessary adaptations made in its own or the client's internal control. This means that the client must ensure that the client has a satisfactory internal control system. In order to fulfill the requirements of its own insurance agreement, the client must also make sure that the contractor has a certificate in hot work, if this takes place at a casual workplace.

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Competence

Basic fire and safety expertise and awareness related to this is a prerequisite for being able to carry out hot work in a safe manner. The purpose of the certification scheme in hot works is precisely to safeguard this competence requirement. Therefore, clients should demand that all practitioners are certified, regardless of the type of hot work involved.