For many, the term “hot work” might conjure up an image of a vast mill, where molten ore is ever present in vats, being poured into casting molds amidst a shower of sparks and extreme radiant heat. Or perhaps one imagines a metal worker operating a plasma table cutting thick sheets of steel like a hot knife through butter. While these are definitely both examples of hot work, the term covers a much wider array of activities performed in varied work environments.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, hot work is defined as “any activity or process that involves open flames or that generates sparks or heat.” This would include the examples listed above but also welding, grinding, burning, certain types of cutting, brazing, soldering or similar activities. Basically, any type of work that creates an ignition source could be considered as “hot work.”