A Cool Hot work solution
Unique cold work surface preparation, particularly in explosive areas, with the convenience of limited resource involvement onboard ships, was the focus of attention for 95 global members of the maritime industry who attended a webinar of the IMarEST UAE Branch.
Ship Managers are expected to carry out essential maintenance safely and keep their vessels in a seaworthy condition. As part of this maintenance, sometimes Hot Work needs to be carried out which is a high-risk activity involving sources of ignition which may cause a flammable gas mixture to explode. Hot Work traditionally includes heating or spark generating tools which are not certified for use in hazardous areas. Detailed approved procedures must be developed for Hot Work and incorporated into the Safety Management System of ships. When these procedures were not followed, there have been cases which have resulted in human injury and damage to property which have had financial repercussions crippling a previously successful ship operation. When maintenance involving hot work must be carried out for the safety and/or the immediate operation of a ship, a risk assessment must be conducted, utilizing already constrained resources onboard often disrupting other planned activities. Equipment intended for use in explosive atmospheres, obviate the risks of initiating fires and explosions.