Hot Work Permit
Single-use permit for welding, cutting, or grinding operations.
What this document is
A Hot Work Permit is a single-use form that authorizes specific welding, cutting, or grinding work in areas not designed for such operations. It requires the supervisor to document hazards, fire watch requirements, and safety measures before work begins.
The regulation that requires it
29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2)(xiv) states that cutters, welders, and their supervisors must ensure that all cutters, welders and their supervisors are suitably trained in the safe operation of their equipment and the safe use of the process. NFPA 51B, Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work, provides detailed requirements for hot work permits including fire prevention and fire watch procedures. The rule requires a written permit that authorizes the hot work, verifies that appropriate fire prevention measures are in place, and remains at the job site during the work and for a period after the work is completed.
Who needs it
Construction contractors, maintenance teams, and fabrication shops that perform welding, cutting, or grinding need this permit. It applies to trades including ironworkers, pipefitters, sheet metal workers, and millwrights. California contractors must comply with both federal 29 CFR 1910.252 and Title 8 CCR 4845 which incorporates NFPA 51B requirements for hot work operations.
What happens without it
OSHA and Cal/OSHA issue citations during inspections when hot work occurs without a required permit. Serious violations typically carry penalties in the range of several thousand dollars while willful or repeated violations can reach tens of thousands per citation. Multi-employer worksites increase citation risk because general contractors can receive citations for subcontractor violations. The absence of permits also raises the chance of fire-related incidents that trigger additional enforcement actions.
What's included in the generated document
- Permit header with date, location, and authorizing supervisor
- Description of the specific hot work to be performed
- Fire hazard assessment and control measures checklist
- Fire watch and monitoring requirements section
- Authorization signatures and post-work inspection fields
How to implement it at your company
- Talk to Guy first. Describe your operation, trade, and location — Guy draws from 300,000+ verified OSHA and state regulatory citations to build a compliance plan specific to your company. Your answers shape every section of the document you receive. Takes about 10 minutes.
- Download and print the PDF permit form for each planned hot work operation.
- Train supervisors on completing the permit and identifying fire hazards specific to each job site.
- Require the supervisor to inspect the area, implement controls, and obtain signatures before work begins.
- Post the completed permit at the work location during the operation and for at least 30 minutes afterward.
- File the signed permit in your safety records for at least one year or as required by your safety program.