This recommended practice provides information to assist in the safe performance of welding, cutting, and other hot work activities to be done safely in petroleum and petrochemical operations. The understanding of potential hazards, and application of this knowledge, can help reduce the probability and severity of incidents and the risk of harmful health effects from those activities.

Personnel engaged in hot work should have a comprehensive understanding of the potential hazards associated with the activity and materials involved. RP 2009 was updated to include added precautions to prevent fires and incidents during welding operations, as well as an awareness of the hazards of inhalation of welding fumes. Additionally, it includes specific guidance to evaluate procedures for certain types of work equipment in service, supports UN Sustainable Development Goal #9 for Resilient Infrastructure, and is included in the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA's resources materials for Process Safety Management.