Welding & hot work safety checklist — with a free AI photo scan
A hot work inspection checks the area around the arc, not just the welder: combustibles cleared or shielded within 35 feet, gas cylinders secured and upright, a fire extinguisher within reach, screens protecting nearby workers, and the right PPE on the person striking the arc. OSHA Scan adds a fast first pass — photograph the hot work area and the AI flags visible problems like cardboard and packaging stacked next to live sparks or an unsecured cylinder beside the bench, referencing the OSHA standard each issue may relate to. It is an AI-assisted preliminary review of what is visible in the photo, not a formal compliance determination or a hot work permit.
- Combustibles cleared to 35 feet
- Hot work permit in place
- Fire extinguisher at the job
- Fire watch posted where required
What should a hot work safety checklist include?
The core items are: combustibles cleared or shielded to 35 feet, a permit where required, an extinguisher at the job, a fire watch where more than a minor fire could develop, secured cylinders, sound hoses and leads, correct PPE and shade, screens for bystanders, adequate ventilation, protected floor openings, and a post-work check for smoldering. A photo scan covers the visible area items instantly; permits, gas connections, and shade numbers still need a person.
Can AI really check a hot work area from a photo?
It checks what is visible: combustibles in spark range, unsecured cylinders, missing screens, missing extinguishers, and bystander exposure. It cannot smell a gas leak, read a permit, or verify a lens shade — so treat the scan as a fast first pass before striking the arc, not a replacement for the permit process or the fire watch.
Which OSHA standards cover welding and hot work?
General industry welding, cutting, and brazing live in 29 CFR 1910 Subpart Q (1910.252 covers fire prevention), and construction welding is 29 CFR 1926 Subpart J, with cylinder handling in 1926.350. OSHA Scan references the standard each visible finding may relate to — the scan itself is a preliminary AI review, not an official determination.