Safety: §17, hot work and district heating

Welding involves open fire, sparks, high heat, health-damaging fumes and intense light. That's why there are both legal requirements and industry regulations that the welder must know and follow.

Welding and thermal cutting of metal and grinding in connection with this are covered by mandatory training, known as the «§17 course» (AMU 44530, 1 day). The requirement is in § 14 and Annex 8 of the Executive Order on occupational health and safety training (BEK no. 1978/2021) and in § 16 of the cancer Executive Order (BEK no. 582/2026). Self-employed farmers without employees are exempt (§ 14, subsection 2). The training gives knowledge of the health risks of welding fume and of how to protect yourself — for example with extraction and respiratory protection.

What the requirement covers — and what it does not

• 01Welding and thermal cutting in metal are covered
• 02Grinding in connection with the welding or cutting is covered
• 03Polishing is not covered
• 04Welding, cutting and grinding in stainless steel with at least 0.1 % nickel are covered via Annex 1 (Nickel) of the carcinogen executive order, with the same requirements
• 05Self-employed farmers without employees are exempt from the training requirement

Where welding takes place, the work area must be delimited and signposted, including with no-smoking signs (BEK 582/2026 § 28 and Annex 2).

The course is called «Arbejdsmiljø og sikkerhed, svejsning/termisk» (working environment and safety, welding/thermal; AMU 44530) and lasts one day. AMU SYD states that the certificate has no expiry date. The certificate in hot work, on the other hand, is valid for 5 years. It is not a legal requirement, but many companies require it.

Under the 2026 blacksmith training regulations, the student must have four certificates before the main programme: working environment and safety in welding and thermal cutting, first aid, basic firefighting and hot work.

Hot work is a collective term for work that produces sparks or heat that can ignite combustible material — including welding, cutting and grinding. There is a certified course in fire prevention during hot work, which many companies and clients require.

• 01Clearing of flammable material around the work site
• 02Use of shielding and fire blankets
• 03Extinguishing material ready within reach
• 04Inspection of work site after work completion.

The chart shows when Denmark's industrial and workshop buildings were built. Notice how many are from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Buildings from those years may contain PCB and asbestos in joints, double glazing and insulation. Hot work in an old hall can hit those substances — have the building surveyed before you cut or weld.

Welding on district heating systems places special demands because the pipes carry hot water under pressure. Here work is often carried out according to specific procedures and with certified welders, and joints are inspected to ensure they remain tight and can withstand pressure and temperature over time.

Regardless of method, the welder protects themselves with a welding helmet with correct filter, flame-resistant clothing, gloves and if necessary respiratory protection. Eyes, skin and airways must be protected against arc light, heat/sparks and welding fumes respectively.

Safety is not just rules, but a work culture. The good welder assesses risk before each task, uses personal protective equipment consistently and speaks up if conditions are not safe.