Hot Work / Confined-Space Pre-task Checklist — Free Template

Permit date

Authorized start time

Work may not begin before this time.

Permit expiration time

Work must stop and this permit re-issued if work extends beyond this time.

Work location / area description

Be specific: building, floor, room, or equipment name.

Type of hot work

Work description

What specifically is being welded, cut, or heated? Include the material if known.

Operator / welder name

Authorizing supervisor name

Combustibles removed, covered, or wetted where they cannot be moved?

Non-movable combustibles must be protected with flame-retardant covers or wet down. Required only when combustibles are present.

Floors in the work area swept clear of combustibles

Sweep a 35-foot radius. Combustible flooring (wood, vinyl) must be wet down or covered.

Openings, ducts, and conveyors that could spread sparks or heat are covered or sealed

Floor drains, wall penetrations, HVAC ducts, conveyor openings — any path that could carry sparks to adjacent areas.

Walls or partitions: no combustibles on the other side that could ignite from heat transfer

Metal walls can conduct enough heat to ignite materials on the reverse side. If a wall is hot to the touch after 1 minute, treat the other side as part of the work zone.

Fire extinguisher immediately available at the work area

Must be suitable for the materials present (Class A, B, or C as appropriate). Confirm it is not blocked or overdue for inspection.

Photo — work area before hot work begins

Capture the cleared area, covered combustibles, and the location of the fire extinguisher.

Notes on fire hazard survey

Document any combustibles found, how they were controlled, or any special hazards in the area.

No oil or grease on oxygen fittings, regulators, or valves

Oil or grease contact with high-pressure oxygen is an explosion hazard. Use only clean, approved lubricants — or none — on oxygen equipment.

Oxygen and fuel-gas cylinders separated by 20 feet or a 5-foot non-combustible barrier

Required by 1910.252(b)(6)(i) when cylinders are in storage or not in active use. When in use, they may be close together but the separation rule applies to stored cylinders in the same area.

Cylinders secured upright and protected from being knocked over

Unsecured cylinders are a stored-energy hazard. Chain or strap to a wall, cart, or fixed structure.

Operator PPE available: welding shield/goggles, gloves, fire-resistant clothing

PPE must be appropriate for the type of hot work (arc welding vs. torch cutting vs. grinding).

Notes on equipment condition

Space classification

Permit-required: contains or has potential to contain a serious safety or health hazard. Non-permit: does not contain and has no potential for a hazard.

Space is isolated: all energy sources locked out and mechanical linkages disconnected

Apply LOTO per the machine-specific procedure. Blanking or blinding piping that introduces hazardous materials into the space.

Space purged or ventilated to remove hazardous atmosphere before entry

Forced-air ventilation (do not use oxygen to purge a confined space — fire/explosion hazard). Ventilation must be maintained continuously during entry.

Attendant assigned to remain outside the space throughout entry

The attendant must not enter the space, must maintain a count of entrants, and must be able to summon rescue without entering.

Attendant name

Rescue provisions in place

For permit-required spaces: designate a rescue service (internal or external) and confirm they have the equipment and training for non-entry or entry rescue. A retrieval system (tripod + winch) is required when authorized by the entry supervisor.

Rescue method / service

Name the rescue service or describe the self-rescue/non-entry retrieval system in place.

Entry supervisor name

Person responsible for authorizing entry, monitoring conditions, and canceling the permit if conditions change.

Notes on confined space prerequisites

Flammable gas / vapor concentration — pre-entry reading

Must be below 10% of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) before entry. Work must stop if it rises above 10% LEL.

Carbon monoxide (CO) concentration — pre-entry reading

OSHA PEL: 50 ppm (8-hour TWA). NIOSH IDLH: 1,200 ppm. Entry not permitted above the PEL without supplied air.

Other toxic gases tested and results

List any additional atmospheric hazards tested (H₂S, SO₂, etc.) and the readings. Include the acceptable limit for each.

Testing instrument type and last calibration date

Record the instrument name/model and when it was last calibrated or bump-tested.

Fire watch name

Fire watch has been trained on the fire extinguisher and alarm system in this area

Fire watch must know where the extinguisher is, how to use it, and how to sound the alarm for this specific location.

All prerequisites above are met — work is authorized to proceed

Do not sign if any prerequisite is unresolved. Stop work until all conditions are controlled.

Supervisor authorization signature

Fire watch acknowledgment signature

Post-work fire watch end time

Must be at least 30 minutes after work completion.

Work area inspected after fire watch — no signs of smoldering or fire

Final walk of the area before permit is closed. Check behind walls, below floors, and in adjacent spaces where heat may have traveled.

Confined space permit cancelled and space secured

Required only for confined-space entries. Cancel the permit by signing the closure section and physically posting cancellation notice at the entry.

Post-work notes

Record any incidents, near-misses, or conditions found during the fire watch period.

Permit closed by — supervisor signature