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Free hot work permit

Free hot work permit template (PDF-ready). Covers fire watch, extinguishers, clearance distances, isolations and atmospheric testing. Download free.

Updated 27 Sept 2026

Hot Work Permit

Complete before commencing any welding, cutting, grinding, brazing or other heat-producing work

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0 of 15 checks

Checklist

1Risk assessment completed
2SWMS reviewed and signed
3Area inspected for combustibles (11 m radius)
4Combustibles removed or covered with fire blankets
5Floor swept clean of dust and debris
6Wall and floor openings covered
7Flammable liquids/gases removed or isolated
8Sprinkler system operational (or impairment notification)
9Fire extinguisher(s) within 3 m
10Fire watch person briefed
11Ventilation adequate (fume extraction)
12Gas testing completed (LEL)
13Welding screens/barriers in place
14Hot work signage displayed
15Adjacent areas checked (above, below and behind)

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These templates are free general guides provided as-is. They do not constitute legal, safety or compliance advice. You are responsible for ensuring any form meets your specific workplace obligations, industry standards and applicable regulations.

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Jarrod Milford

Jarrod Milford

Co-Founder & Commercial Director

Updated 27 September 2026
Also see:Compliance and inspections →Best inspection software →MapTrack vs SafetyCulture →

Short answer

A hot work permit authorises welding, cutting, grinding, brazing or other spark-producing work before it starts, recording the area check, combustibles cleared, fire equipment, gas testing, the named fire watch and sign-off by issuer, operator and fire watch. Most sites issue one per job and per shift. AS 1674.1:2025 sets the fire precautions; Safe Work Australia's July 2020 welding Code points to an earlier edition for hot work permits.

Checked against AS 1674.1:2025 on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates

Key takeaways

  • The MapTrack hot work permit contains 15 checks.
  • AS 1674.1:2025 is the current Australian standard on fire precautions for welding; Safe Work Australia's July 2020 welding Code points to an earlier edition for permits.
  • Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252(a), the area is inspected and the work authorised, preferably with a written permit, before cutting or welding starts.
  • A Fail on any pre-work item means the permit is not issued until the condition is fixed and rechecked.
  • Name the operator and fire watch on the permit, and do not close it out until the post-work fire watch and re-inspection are done.
  • Issue a new permit when the shift, scope, location or crew changes, and review it if conditions such as ventilation change mid-job.

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Used by construction, mining and field service teams

Saunders InternationalMineral ResourcesSupagasHacer GroupMetro TunnelUltrabuilt

What is a hot work permit?

A hot work permit is a formal document that authorises work involving open flames, sparks or heat-producing equipment such as welding, oxy-cutting, grinding, brazing or soldering. It is also called a hot work permit form, a hot work permit template or a hot works permit. It is part of the broader permit-to-work system used on construction, industrial and maintenance sites in Australia. The permit ensures a systematic check is carried out before work begins, confirming that combustible materials have been removed or protected, fire-fighting equipment is available, atmospheric testing has been completed where required, and a fire watch person has been assigned. Under Australian WHS regulations, employers have a duty to manage fire risks associated with hot work, and a well-completed permit demonstrates due diligence.

Hot work is a leading cause of workplace fires. Sparks and molten metal can travel significant distances and ignite materials that are not immediately visible to the operator. The permit system forces a deliberate pause before work begins, requiring both the operator and a designated fire watch person to confirm that the area has been inspected, cleared and protected. The post-work fire watch period further reduces the risk of delayed ignition after the work is complete.

AS 1674.1, Safety in welding and allied processes, Part 1: Fire precautions, sets out the fire precautions for this work in Australia, and Standards Australia lists the 2025 edition as current. Safe Work Australia's model Code of Practice for welding processes points to AS 1674.1 for guidance on hot work permits. In the United States, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252 requires the area to be inspected and the work authorised, preferably with a written permit, before cutting or welding begins.

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Benefits of using this hot work permit

  • Fire risk reduction: a structured pre-work checklist ensures combustibles are cleared, fire-fighting equipment is available and the area is safe before work begins.
  • Regulatory compliance: meets WHS obligations and demonstrates due diligence to regulators, insurers and auditors.
  • Clear accountability: the permit records who authorised the work, who is performing it and who is on fire watch, creating a defensible audit trail.
  • Post-work monitoring: the built-in fire watch and close-out section ensures the area is monitored after work to prevent delayed ignition.
  • Consistent process: a standard form ensures the same safety checks are applied across all sites, shifts and workers.
  • Insurance evidence: a completed permit provides documented proof that fire risk controls were in place at the time of the work.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you move your permits from paper to MapTrack, you get:

  • Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
  • Email the right people when a form is submitted, with an automation you set up.
  • File every completed form against the asset, location or person it covers.
  • Download any completed form as a PDF, with failed answers listed at the top.
  • Fill in forms offline; they upload when the device is back online.
  • Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
  • Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
  • Electronic signatures.
  • Edit forms later without reprinting.
  • Set who can view, fill in or edit forms with user roles.
  • Upload a paper form (PDF, Word, Excel or a photo) and MapTrack's AI builds a digital version for you to check.
  • Email safety managers when a hazard report is submitted, with an automation you set up.
  • Keep every hazard and incident report against the site it came from, with photos.
  • Turn a hazard report into a corrective-action work order with its own review step.

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What to include in a hot work permit

This hot work permit covers 8 key areas:

  • Permit details: permit number, date, valid from/to, site/location and project.
  • Hot work description: type of work (welding, cutting, grinding, brazing, other), specific location and duration.
  • Personnel: hot work operator and fire watch person.
  • Pre-work checklist (P/F/N/A): risk assessment completed, SWMS reviewed, area inspected for combustibles (11 m radius), combustibles removed or covered with fire blankets, floor swept clean, wall/floor openings covered, flammable liquids/gases removed or isolated, sprinkler system operational, fire extinguisher(s) within 3 m, fire watch person briefed, ventilation adequate, gas testing completed (LEL), welding screens/barriers in place, hot work signage displayed, adjacent areas checked.
  • Overall result: pass, fail or action required.
  • Permit authorisation: issued by, hot work operator and fire watch signatures.
  • Post-work fire watch: minimum 30 minutes, time completed.
  • Permit close-out: area re-inspected, no hot spots, permit cancelled, signed off.

How to use this hot work permit

  1. Fill in the permit details - permit number, date, valid from/to, site and project name.: Assign a unique permit number for traceability. Record the exact start and finish times the permit is valid for. The permit expires at the stated time and a new permit must be issued if work continues beyond that period.
  2. Describe the hot work. Type (welding, cutting, grinding, brazing), specific location and expected duration.: Be specific about the work type and location so that anyone reading the permit can identify exactly where the work is happening. Include the floor, room, structure or equipment being worked on and the estimated duration of the task.
  3. Record the hot work operator and fire watch person names.: The hot work operator is the person performing the welding, cutting or grinding. The fire watch person remains in the area during and after the work to monitor for fire. Both must be named on the permit and sign before work begins.
  4. Complete the pre-work checklist - inspect the area within an 11 m radius, clear combustibles, check fire-fighting equipment and ventilation, and confirm gas testing where required.: Walk the area within an 11 metre radius and remove or cover all combustible materials with fire-resistant blankets. Ensure at least one serviceable fire extinguisher is within 3 metres of the work. Check that ventilation is adequate and perform LEL gas testing if the area may contain flammable vapours.
  5. Mark each item as Pass, Fail or N/A. Record notes for any items marked Fail.: Work through the pre-work checklist systematically. A Fail on any item means the condition has not been met and must be rectified before the permit can be issued. Record specific details in the notes column to guide rectification.
  6. Record the overall result. If any item is Fail, the permit should not be issued until the issue is resolved.: The overall result must reflect the worst individual item outcome. If any critical item is marked Fail, the permit cannot be authorised until the issue is fully resolved and re-inspected.
  7. Have the permit authorised - the issuer, hot work operator and fire watch person all sign.: Each signature confirms that the signatory has verified the controls relevant to their role. The permit issuer confirms all conditions have been met. The operator and fire watch person confirm they understand their responsibilities.
  8. After work is complete, conduct fire watch for a minimum of 30 minutes. Record the time completed.: The fire watch person must remain in the area with a fire extinguisher for at least 30 minutes after the last spark or flame. Many site procedures require 60 minutes. Monitor for smouldering, hot spots or unusual smells. Record the start and end time of the fire watch on the permit.
  9. Close out the permit - re-inspect the area, confirm no hot spots, cancel the permit and sign off.: Walk the area and check all surfaces within the 11 metre radius for residual heat. Use the back of your hand near (not on) surfaces to detect warmth. Once satisfied there are no hot spots, cancel the permit with a line through it, record the close-out time and sign off.

In MapTrack, you can digitise safety inspections and compliance forms. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.

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How often should you complete this permit?

A hot work permit should be completed before every instance of hot work - welding, cutting, grinding, brazing, soldering or any other work that produces sparks, open flames or high temperatures. A new permit is required each day or each shift, and whenever the scope, location or personnel change. If conditions change during the work (e.g. weather, ventilation, introduction of new combustible materials), the permit should be reviewed and re-issued if necessary. Safe Work Australia's model Code of Practice for welding processes says that when welding in a hazardous atmosphere or hazardous area that is not a confined space, documented procedures should include issuing a hot work permit. Check your organisation's procedures for specific requirements.

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Frequently asked questions

A hot work permit is a formal written authorisation obtained before work involving open flames, sparks or heat-producing processes starts. This includes welding, cutting, grinding, brazing and soldering. The permit ensures that the work area has been inspected, combustible materials have been removed or protected, fire-fighting equipment is available, and a fire watch has been assigned. It is one of the permit types used in a permit-to-work system, and in Australia, Safe Work Australia's model Code of Practice for welding processes points to AS 1674.1 for guidance on hot work permits.

In practice, issue a hot work permit any time work involves open flames, sparks or high temperatures that could ignite nearby materials, such as arc welding, oxy-acetylene cutting, grinding, brazing, soldering or using heat guns or blowtorches, and whenever the work is near combustible materials, flammable liquids or gases, or where fire-suppression systems may be affected. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252 requires the area to be inspected and the work authorised, preferably with a written permit, before cutting or welding begins. Safe Work Australia's model Code of Practice for welding processes says that when welding in a hazardous atmosphere or hazardous area that is not a confined space, documented procedures should include issuing a hot work permit.

Fire watch should continue for a minimum of 30 minutes after hot work has been completed, and HSE guidance says it may need to be extended to 60 minutes where a fire could be difficult to detect or slow to develop. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252 also requires at least half an hour. The fire watch person must remain in the area, monitor for smouldering or hot spots, and have a fire extinguisher readily available. The hot work permit should not be closed out until the post-work fire watch period has been completed, the area has been re-inspected, and no hot spots or signs of fire have been found.

Yes. Download and use this hot work permit for free. It downloads as a ready-to-print PDF. No MapTrack account is required. If you want digital hot work permits with electronic sign-on, photo evidence and full audit trails, MapTrack can help. Book a demo to see how it works.

AS 1674.1, Safety in welding and allied processes, Part 1: Fire precautions, is the Australian standard for fire precautions in welding and allied work, and Standards Australia lists the 2025 edition as current, replacing the 1997 edition. WHS Regulations Chapter 3 requires the PCBU to manage risks to health and safety, which includes fire risks from hot work. Many sites also reference NFPA 51B (Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work) as an additional best-practice benchmark. Insurers frequently require evidence of a completed hot work permit system aligned with these standards as a condition of fire and liability coverage.

In the United States, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252 says that before cutting or welding is permitted, the area must be inspected by the person responsible for authorising that work. That person sets the precautions to follow and grants permission to proceed, preferably as a written permit. The rule also requires a fire watch wherever more than a minor fire could develop, and the watch must continue for at least half an hour after the work finishes to catch smouldering fires.

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252 uses 35 feet, or 10.7 metres. Where practicable, combustibles must be moved at least that far from the work site, and where that is not practicable they must be protected with flameproofed covers or shielded with metal guards or curtains. A fire watch is required if appreciable combustible material is closer than 35 feet, and combustible debris on the floor must be swept clean for a 35 foot radius. This permit checks an 11 metre radius, slightly wider than that distance.

HSE's guidance on permit-to-work systems for the petroleum, chemical and allied industries (HSG250) says hot work permits are normally used for any welding or flame cutting, for tools that may produce sparks and for electrical equipment that is not intrinsically safe or suitably protected, where there may be a risk of fire or explosion. It also says issuing a permit does not, by itself, make a job safe. HSE's welding guidance adds that where combustible material cannot be removed, a fire watch should continue for at least 30 minutes after the hot work, and this may need to be extended to 60 minutes where an ignition may be difficult to detect or slow to develop.

Applicable regulatory standards

This template is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The template alone does not establish compliance.

  • Safety in welding and allied processes, Part 1: Fire precautions

    Edition: AS 1674.1:2025

    The current Australian standard on fire precautions for welding and allied processes, which the permit's pre-work checks are built around.

    Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher

  • Model Code of Practice: Welding processes

    Edition: July 2020 version

    July 2020 Code that points to an earlier AS 1674.1 edition for hot work permits, and says hazardous-atmosphere welding procedures should include one.

    Safe Work Australia

  • Model Work Health and Safety Regulations

    Edition: Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011)

    The general duty to identify hazards and control risks, using the hierarchy of controls, which covers fire risk from hot work.

    • Part 3.1: Managing risks to health and safety: identify hazards, eliminate or minimise risks using the hierarchy of controls, maintain and review controls.
    • reg 36: Hierarchy of control measures: substitution, isolation and engineering controls first, then administrative controls, then personal protective equipment.

    Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee)

  • 29 CFR Part 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards

    Edition: Current eCFR text, up to date as of 2026-10-22 (read 2026-10-26)

    US rule: the area is inspected and cutting or welding authorised, preferably by written permit, with combustibles moved or guarded and fire watches where required.

    • 1910.252: General requirements for welding, cutting and brazing: fire prevention and protection, protection of personnel, and ventilation.
    • 1910.252(a): Fire prevention and protection for welding and cutting: moving or guarding combustibles, fire watches and hot work authorisation.

    US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (text via eCFR)

  • Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work

    Edition: NFPA 51B, 2024 edition

    US consensus standard on fire prevention during hot work, adopted locally at varying editions.

    National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)Sold by the publisher

Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.

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<div style="max-width:480px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,sans-serif;border:1px solid #E5E7EB;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;background:#ffffff;">
  <p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
  <p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">Hot work permit</p>
  <ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Permit details: permit number, date, valid from/to, site/location and project.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Hot work description: type of work (welding, cutting, grinding, brazing, other), specific location and duration.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Personnel: hot work operator and fire watch person.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Pre-work checklist (P/F/N/A): risk assessment completed, SWMS reviewed, area inspected for combustibles (11 m radius), combustibles removed or covered with fire blankets, floor swept clean, wall/floor openings covered, flammable liquids/gases removed or isolated, sprinkler system operational, fire extinguisher(s) within 3 m, fire watch person briefed, ventilation adequate, gas testing completed (LEL), welding screens/barriers in place, hot work signage displayed, adjacent areas checked.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Overall result: pass, fail or action required.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Permit authorisation: issued by, hot work operator and fire watch signatures.</li>
  </ul>
  <p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/hot-work-permit" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Hot work permit</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>

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The MapTrack hot work permit contains 15 checks.

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MapTrack. (2026). Hot work permit [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/hot-work-permit

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