📚 Guide by Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety — The Hot Work With Arc Welding is an online workplace safety course delivered by Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety, Calgary’s Energy Safety Canada Authorized Training Provider. Self-paced, mobile-friendly, same-day certificate upon exam completion. Available across Canada.
🔗 Related Safety Mom courses & guides: H2S Alive Calgary · Standard First Aid Calgary · Oil Sands Safety Certs · Instructor: Arliss Levine, CRSP, CHSC
HOT WORK WITH ARC WELDING COURSE OVERVIEW
The term “hot work” refers to any labour that involves open flames, produces sparks, or can start a fire by other means. This typically includes welding, wheel or torch cutting, brazing, soldering, and grinding, but it can include other work. Because this type of work poses such a unique combination of both safety and health hazards to workers, it requires a substantial amount of controls. Thankfully, by following proper procedures and using the controls that are in place, these hazards can be greatly reduced.
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to identify:
- Hazards of hot work
- Basic requirements for performing hot work
- Elements of equipment safety
- Special equipment and precautions to ensure the personal safety of hot work employees
- Appropriate safety practices for arc welding and cutting and oxygen-fuel gas cutting and welding
REGULATIONS
This course was designed to help satisfy requirements of the following regulations:
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.252
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.253
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.254
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.255
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.94
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.95
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.97
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.101
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.102
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.105
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.146
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910 Subpart L
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.38
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.39
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910 – Subpart M
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910 – Subpart Z
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.147
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.120
- OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1926.351
- NEPA 51B, Standard for Fire Prevention during Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work
HOT WORK WITH ARC WELDING COURSE TOPICS
- Hot work hazards
- Hot work basics
- Equipment safety
- Personal protection
- Welding and cutting
HOT WORK WITH ARC WELDING COURSE DURATION: Approximately 30 minutes
HOT WORK WITH ARC WELDING COURSE ASSESSMENT: Testing conducted throughout this online course is designed to reinforce the information presented. A mark of 80% must be achieved in order to receive a certificate of completion. Users are able to repeat the course twice if the pass mark is not achieved.
HOT WORK WITH ARC WELDING CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION: Upon successful completion of this online course, a certificate of completion will be available for download and printing.
HOT WORK WITH ARC WELDING COURSE PREVIEW
Additional Safety Knowledge
Fire Extinguisher Classes and When to Use Each
Canadian fires are classified by fuel type. Choosing the wrong extinguisher can worsen the fire — water on an oil fire spreads flames; CO2 on burning metal is ineffective. The 5 classes:
- Class A: ordinary combustibles — wood, paper, cloth, plastic. Water, foam, or ABC dry chemical extinguishers.
- Class B: flammable liquids and gases — gasoline, diesel, propane, solvents. CO2, dry chemical, or foam extinguishers.
- Class C: energised electrical equipment. CO2 or dry chemical only — never water or foam.
- Class D: combustible metals — magnesium, sodium, titanium, lithium. Specialised dry powder agents only.
- Class K: commercial kitchen fires involving cooking oils and fats. Wet chemical (potassium acetate) extinguishers.
The PASS Technique
Fire extinguishers are used with the PASS method: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side. Stand 2–3 metres back with your escape route behind you. Most portable extinguishers discharge fully in 8–20 seconds. If the fire does not go out immediately, evacuate and call emergency services.
Hot Work With Arc Welding — Inspection and Maintenance
Canadian fire codes require monthly visual inspection (pressure gauge in green, seal intact, no damage, clear access) and annual professional maintenance. Hydrostatic testing every 5 or 12 years depending on the extinguisher type. Workplaces must maintain inspection records for at least 12 months.
Evacuation Planning
Every Alberta workplace must have a written emergency response plan under OHS Code Part 7. It must include evacuation routes, muster point locations, roll-call procedures, and designated emergency response personnel. Employees must be trained on the plan before starting work and drills must be conducted at reasonable intervals.
Content reviewed by Arliss Levine, CRSP, CHSC — lead safety instructor at Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety Calgary, an Energy Safety Canada Authorized Training Provider.
