Subpart P - Section 1915.503

Section 1915.503 of Subpart P sets out specific guidelines for fire protection precautions during hot work. It states that the employer may designate fire-hazard-free areas in which hot work may be safely performed without prior inspection. In non-designated areas, the employer must visually inspect both the area and adjacent areas to ensure that they are free of fire hazards.

Only areas free of fire hazards, controlled by physical isolation, or subject to fire watch or similar positive means, can be authorized for hot work. It is the employer's responsibility to keep all hot work areas free of any new hazards that might cause a fire or contribute to its spread. This includes ensuring that the following rules are consistently applied:

• No unattended fuel gas and oxygen hose lines or torches are in confined spaces.
• No unattended charged fuel gas and oxygen hose lines or torches are in enclosed spaces for more than 15 minutes.
• All fuel gas and oxygen hose lines are disconnected at the supply manifold at the end of each shift.

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