What should be done with combustible materials in the work area before starting a torch operation?

Before starting any torch operation, it is essential to manage combustible materials in the work area effectively. The correct approach requires either removing these materials or adequately protecting them to mitigate the risk of fire. This proactive action is key in ensuring a safe working environment, as the intense heat and sparks generated during torch operations can ignite flammable substances, leading to hazardous situations.

Removing combustible materials from the area eliminates the potential source of ignition entirely, while protecting them can include covering them with fire-retardant tarps or shielding them with fire-resistant barriers. This helps in safeguarding not only the workspace but also the personnel involved. In fire safety protocols, such preventative measures are critical in minimizing the likelihood of accidental fires during operations involving open flames.

The other options do not promote safety and therefore are not wise practices in torch operations. Leaving combustible materials unattended means they remain at risk of catching fire. Dousing them with water might not provide sufficient protection against ignition, and marking them only serves to undermine safety by suggesting they can be ignored, which can lead to negligence in monitoring potential fire hazards.