(5)During any work of welding, cutting or grinding, the welder shall ensure that-(a)all flammable material, oil grease, oil-soaked earth are removed from the area;(b)no match, lighter, or smoking apparatus or any other source capable of igniting flammable gas is present at or around his place of work:Provided that nothing in this clause shall be deemed to prohibit the use of any suitable apparatus for the purpose of lighting or re-lighting the welding torch;(c)adequate precaution is taken to prevent fire being started by spark, slag or hot metal;(d)adequate number of suitable type of fire extinguishers and other fire fighting arrangements are made and kept readily available for immediate use;(e)when operation is carried out in confined space, adequate ventilation by mechanical means is constantly provided to prevent accumulation of flammable gas; and(f)when operation is carried out on pipeline which contain flammable fluid, the pipe be disconnected or blinded, the line be positively isolated, drained or purged with inert gas or water before hot work is undertaken and adequate precaution taken against build-up of pressure in the line while hot work is in progress:Provided that nothing in this clause shall be deemed to prohibit the use of hot-tapping machine on a running pipeline with prior written permission of the manager, deputy manager or an installation manager.
