produced with: Risk Assessment

click here to visit www.eor.app ®

Title: [Work Equipment] Blow Torch [Gas] [Use Of] Reviewed: 2021-11-11
PPE Persons at Risk Likelihood Severity
Eye [En56 Safety Glasses] Employees 0 = Impossible 0 = No Effect
Hand [En 407 Thermal Risks Gloves] Other Workers 1 = Very Unlikely 1 = Minor: superficial injury, little first aid required
Respiratory [En 149 Ffp2] Visitors 2 = Possible 2 = Moderate: Hospital treatment, 7 days off
3 = Likely 3 = Serious: Urgent medical attention
4 = Probable 4 = Major: Single major injury or death
5 = Imminent 5 = Catastrophic: Many serious injuries or death
Significance
0 = Very Low: Monitor annually to ensure likelihood does not increase
2-4 = Low: Monitor to maintain standards. Consider lower consequence (con) system (sys)
5-9 = Moderate: Plan reduction of likelihood (Lhood). Consider lower con sys. Judge priority (pri)
10-12 = Medium: Seek means of reducing Lhood to lowest possible level. Design lower con sys as
pri
15-16 = High: Immediate plan of action. Reduce Lhood. Design lower con sys as pri
Burns from Using The Gas Torch Burns / scalds L Sev Sig
• - Burns kit to be available in case of emergency. Before Control
- Suitably trained first aiders available. 4 3 12
- Competent, trained employees only to use Gas torches. After Control
- Heat resistant gloves to be worn if the task deems a requirement. 1 3 3

Explosion Of Gas Cylinders Explosion L Sev Sig

• Ensure: Before Control
- Gas cylinders are changed in a well ventilated area away from sources of ignition and the closing valve of the torch is fully 3 4 12
closed before changing the cylinder. After Control
- Gas cylinders are kept away from sources of ignition. 1 4 4
- Gas cylinders are stored, used and disposed of in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Fire Fire L Sev Sig
• - Ensure that fire extinguishers are checked, that their servicing is in date, and are readily accessible throughout the duration Before Control
of works. 3 3 9
- No smoking. After Control
- Competent employees to use gas torch only. 1 3 3
- Good housekeeping rules to be adhered to at all times.
Hot Works Hot work L Sev Sig
• - Hot work permits to be used where required. Before Control
- Good housekeeping rules to be followed at all times. 3 3 9
After Control
1 3 3
Sequence: [Work Equipment] Blow Torch [Gas] [Use Of]
• - Move the workpiece to a safe location for carrying out hot work, if the item can be moved.
- Remove nearby combustible materials (such as flammable liquids, wood, paper, textiles, packaging or plastics).
- Protect nearby combustible materials that cannot be moved. Use suitable guards or covers such as metal sheeting, mineral fibre boards or
fire-retardant blankets.
- Check that there are no combustible materials hidden behind walls or in partitions.
- Use flame-resistant sheets or covers to prevent hot particles passing through openings in floors and walls (doorways, windows, cable runs, etc).
- If the consequences of a fire are severe, you may need to appoint a fire watch during and after the work finishes. It is normal to maintain fire
watch for 30 minutes after hot work finishes to check for smouldering embers and other signs of possible fire.
- Prevent flame, heat, sparks or hot spatter from landing on the hoses.
- Keep suitable fire extinguishers nearby.
- Never use an oxy/fuel gas blowpipe on a drum or tank that has contained, or may have contained, flammable material, unless you know it is safe.
- Turn the gas supply off at the cylinder when the job is finished or before the cylinders are moved or transported.
- Isolate and purge or remove hoses and equipment from enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces when there is a break in work.
- Keep hoses away from sharp edges and abrasive surfaces or where vehicles can run over them.
- Do not allow hot metal or spatter to fall on hoses.
- Maintain all equipment and regularly check its condition.
- If a leak is suspected, use a proprietary leak detecting spray or solution suitable for use with oxy/fuel systems. Do not use soapy water or
solutions containing grease or oils on oxygen systems.
- Never look for gas leaks with a naked flame.
- Immediately repair or replace leaking components.
- Leaking hoses should not be repaired, but they can be shortened to remove a damaged section. Refit hose tails using crimp clips designed for
that task. Screw tightened crimps (jubilee clips) are not recommended. There is a risk of leaks due to overtightening or undertightening them.
- If a cylinder leaks when the valve is closed, If it is safe to do so, move the cylinder outside and away from sources of ignition (naked flames,
sparks, electric motors, etc).
- Prevent unauthorised access and notify the cylinder supplier immediately.
- If a backfire occurs, shut off the torch valves, oxygen first (usually coloured blue) and then the fuel gas (usually coloured red); shut off the oxygen
and fuel gas cylinder valves.
- Cool the blowpipe with water if necessary.
- Check the equipment for damage or faults, particularly the nozzle.
- Use the correct lighting-up procedure. Purge the hoses before lighting the torch to remove any potentially explosive gas mixtures. Use a spark
igniter and light the gas quickly after turning it on.
- Make sure the blowpipe is fitted with spring-loaded non-return valves.
- Use the correct gas pressures and nozzle size for the job.
- Maintain the equipment in good condition.
- If a flashback occurs, if it is safe to do so, close the cylinder valves on both fuel gas and oxygen.
If a fire cannot be put out at once evacuate the area and call the emergency fire services
- If a fire cannot be put out at once, evacuate the area and call the emergency fire services.
- Work in a safe location away from other people.
- Wear protective clothing, boots, gauntlets and eye protection, if the task requires the use of these items.
- Shut off the torch when not in use.
- Do not leave a lighted torch on a bench or the floor as the force of the flame may cause it to move.
- Clamp the workpiece, avoid holding it by hand.

produced with: ®
visit www.eor.app