Modifying a DeStaCo Latch

I started my tire carrier, so far I have the main swing out, hinge and latch done. My question is can I weld a small tab to the Destaco latch and drill a hole to run a padlock and make it lockable? Would the heat ruin the latch?
It would basically look like this.

Could you attach the tab to a sleeve that slides over the u bolt?

I didn't even think of that but that would work, thanks.