Guide Outlines Fire Watch Duties for Hot Work and Other High-Risk Operations -- Occupational Health & Safety

A worker in a "Fire Watcher" vest monitors hot work behind a welding curtain at an industrial site.

Guide Outlines Fire Watch Duties for Hot Work and Other High-Risk Operations

The guide covers when facilities must establish fire watch coverage, along with pre-shift hazard checks, logging and emergency response.

By Danielle Naidu
Oct 20, 2026

Property managers, safety officers and facility leaders overseeing hot work and other high-risk operations can review fire watch requirements in a new online guide from Diversified Compliance Solutions (DCS), a California confined space rescue and emergency response company.

The guide, Fire Watch Roles and Responsibilities, explains when facilities must establish active fire oversight and outlines protocols under OSHA requirements and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, according to the company. It also covers fire watch duties such as pre-shift hazard checks, logging and emergency response.

In addition, the guide compares using in-house staff for fire watch with hiring a dedicated third-party provider.

About the Author

Danielle Naidu is assistant editor for Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Protection Online.

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