Hot Work Safety Course

Effective January 1, 2017, a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) certificate number will be required when obtaining a Hot Work permit within the City of Boston and must be available onsite during hot work operations.

The Boston Hot Work Safety Certificate Program is part of a universal approach to reach all disciplines in the construction industry. The goal of the certificate program is to train all persons who are involved in any type of hot work on the safety procedures needed and the dangers involved while conducting or working around hot work. Each person involved in hot work operations will be required to complete training and earn a certificate number.

 The Boston Fire Department (BFD) in partnership with the NFPA developed a curriculum that will help construction workers and all persons engaged in hot work operations, describe the various types of hot work; identify common fuel and ignition sources; cite relevant standards, regulations and ordinances that are applicable to hot work; define the duties and responsibilities of each person on the hot work team, and ensure that workers can read and understand a hot work permit.

As a result of the March 26, 2014 tragic fire on Beacon Street in Boston’s Back Bay, which took the lives of Firefighter Lieutenant Ed Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy, there has been a concerted effort to increase fire safety awareness and construction worker practices on job sites where hot work operations are being conducted. Boston Hot Work Safety Certificate Program training begins this fall.