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How the course works – training the full permit process, not just the form

Our experienced instructors will train your permit issuers, supervisors, operatives, and fire wardens how to control hot work from initial assessment through to final closure.

‘Hot work’ includes a range of temporary tasks that produce flames, sparks, or enough heat to ignite nearby materials – e.g. welding, flame cutting, brazing, soldering, grinding, and some drilling and sawing operations.

The course can be built around your own permit-to-work system and covers how to:

Define the task, location, equipment and authorised time
Inspect the work area and adjoining spaces
Record isolations, combustible controls and firefighting arrangements
Issue, accept, display and monitor the permit
Complete the fire watch, final inspection and hand-back

Controlling the area beyond the immediate work face

The course will also teach your team how to control ignition risks beyond the point where the tools are being used, as sparks and molten metal can easily fall through floor openings, travel through roof or wall voids, reach materials on a lower level, or heat the opposite side of the partition.

We will use practical examples to identify every area that must be inspected, cleared, or protected before the permit is issued.

The same area may also need attention after the work has stopped. Your team will learn how to set a fire-watch period that reflects the task and surroundings, specify who will carry it out and record which adjoining spaces must be checked. The hot work permit is only closed once the required inspections have been completed and the authorised person has accepted the area back.

How hot work permit training course helps you: 

Fewer hot-work incidents and fire risks developing after the job appears finished

Stronger control of your fire-watch and final-check responsibilities reduces the chance of hidden heat or smouldering material causing damage after contractors have left the area. 

Less disruption from unclear permits and last-minute stoppages

Better-defined responsibilities, boundaries and handovers procedures help hot work tasks proceed without repeated clarification, duplicated checks or arguments over who can authorise the next stage. 

More consistent control across employees and contractors

After training, everyone involved is more capable of working to the same expectations for preparation, monitoring, suspension and close-out, reducing variation between shifts, departments and external teams. 

Who we work with 

Our hot work permit training course is designed for everyone involved in controlling hot work, from permit issuers and supervisors to contractors, operatives and fire-watch officers. Training is particularly relevant during shutdowns, refurbishments, roofing, engineering repairs and for temporary work carried out in occupied buildings, production areas or other locations where sparks, flame or heat could ignite nearby materials.

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Why choose Fire Safe International?

Our extensive experience delivering training for building contractors, petrochemical operators, marine organisations and pharmaceutical companies gives us a strong understanding of how hot work fits into busy, high-risk operations. Training with Fire Safe International fully integrates the experience and capabilities already present in your workforce while strengthening the shared judgement needed to keep work moving safely and bring each permit to a clear close.

Is a Hot Work Permit training course legally required?

There is no specific legal requirement to complete a course with this title. However, HSE guidance requires all permit-to-work users to be trained in the system used on your premises. This should include training on how to control fire and explosion risks. 

Who can issue a permit?

Only someone formally authorised under your permit-to-work system should issue a hot work permit. These individuals may include site managers, facilities managers, engineering supervisors or other competent individuals who understand the task and area hazards, and have authority to delay or stop the work if necessary.

How long is a permit valid?

A hot work permit is usually only issued for a single working shift or day – sufficient to cover the task, location, and time stated on it. Extensions, handovers, and restarts will require the area to be reassessed and the permit reauthorised or reissued, in accordance with your permit-to-work procedures.

Can permits be integrated with existing permit-to-work systems?

Yes, hot work permits are an integral part of the wider permit-to-work system used by an organisation – using the same authorisation, handover, suspension, and closeout controls.

Arrange a hot work permit training course for your team

To arrange a hot work permit training course for your team, or to find out more, please talk to us on 01743 761000, or book a conversation with a trainer to discuss a course built around your permit-to-work system.