Fire Watch Safety during
Hot Work in Shipyards
Workers assigned as fire watch are the first line of
defense in protecting other workers and property from
harm during hot work. Hot work includes any activity
involving riveting, welding, burning, grinding or use
of powder-actuated tools or similar fire- or sparkproducing
operations (29 CFR 1915.11(b)).
OSHA requires employers to:
• Provide workplaces that are free of recognized
hazards.
• Select and provide required personal protective
equipment at no cost to workers (29 CFR 1915
Subpart I).
• Train fire watch workers about job hazards, including