A hot work permit is required for activities involving open flames or sparks. Which control is typically included?

• A. A permit that authorizes high-risk tasks with hazard review.
• B. Fire watch and extinguishing equipment.
• C. Annual performance review.
• D. Ladder inspection prior to work.

Answer: (B)

Hot work creates a real fire risk from open flames and sparks, so the primary control is having a fire watch and ready extinguishing equipment. A fire watch is a trained person assigned to monitor the area during the work and for a period afterward, prepared to act immediately if ignition occurs. They help ensure the area is cleared of flammable materials, control ignition sources, and raise an alarm if needed. Having extinguishing equipment nearby—like a fire extinguisher or water supply—allows for rapid suppression before a small spark becomes a larger fire. Together, these measures directly address the fire hazard created by hot work.

The other options don’t specifically provide that immediate protection: a general permit for high-risk tasks is broader than the hot-work-specific controls, a yearly performance review isn’t a safety control, and ladder inspection targets fall hazards rather than fire prevention during heat-producing work.