Section 19-42-155 - Welding and burning operations; fire prevention(a) In all types of operations, fire prevention shall be the watchword. It shall be the responsibility of each individual worker to prevent fires.(b) All combustible materials shall be removed from the area in which the welding and burning operations are being conducted; provided that the combustible materials shall be properly protected if removal is not feasible.(c) Welding or burning operations shall not be conducted around hatches or companionways unless these are sealed with their own covers or doors. If sealing is not possible, an asbestos blanket or other flame- proof material may be substituted. Such substitution shall meet with the approval of the inspecting authority issuing the permit.(d) When welding or burning operations are being conducted in locations where sparks could spatter or fly over the outside of the ship hull, a protective shield composed of metal or other flame-proof material shall be used to prevent the sparks from igniting the wharf, dock, barges, oil slicks on the water, or any combustible materials.(e) Water-charged fire mains, with attached hose and nozzles of sufficient length so that water can reach the base of any fire which may occur, shall be on each deck of the ship where welding or burning operations are being conducted.(f) Trained fire watchers, the number of which shall be approved by the harbor master, shall be on board and assigned to each group or individual welder or burner to watch for and extinguish incipient fires. Each fire watcher shall be provided with an approved fire extinguisher or hose line to control any fire which may occur during the welding or burning operations. All fire watchers shall be instructed by the foreperson or supervisor as to their duties in respect to fire prevention and the manner of contacting their plant, or the industrial or municipal fire department when necessary.(g) When welding or burning operations are conducted on a wooden wharf or on a fire resistive paved wharf with cracks or crevices, the entire surrounding area shall be drenched with water by means of a hose line and shall be kept wet during entire operations to prevent sparks from igniting the flooring or timbers below.[Eff 5/20/82; am and comp 2/26/96] (Auth: HRS §§ 266-2, 266-3) (Imp: HRS §§ 266-2, 266-3)