Firewatch/ Holewatch

Job Summary

The Fire Watch is responsible for maintaining continuous surveillance of areas where hot work is being performed, including welding, cutting, grinding, brazing, and other spark-producing activities. This position helps prevent fires, protects personnel and property, and ensures compliance with OSHA regulations, company policies, and client safety requirements. The Fire Watch remains alert throughout the duration of hot work and for the required monitoring period after work is completed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor all hot work activities including welding, cutting, grinding, torch work, and brazing.
• Identify and eliminate fire hazards before hot work begins.
• Maintain continuous observation of the work area during all hot work operations.
• Ensure fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment are readily available and in proper working condition.
• Watch for sparks, slag, molten metal, and other ignition sources that could start a fire.
• Immediately extinguish small fires if safe to do so and notify emergency personnel when necessary.
• Stop work immediately if unsafe conditions exist or permit requirements are not being followed.
• Maintain fire watch for the required period after hot work has been completed as specified by company policy or permit requirements.
• Ensure combustible materials are removed or adequately protected before work begins.
• Verify hot work permits are in place and comply with all permit requirements.
• Maintain communication with welders, pipefitters, supervisors, and safety personnel throughout the job.
• Keep work areas clean and free of combustible debris.
• Report unsafe conditions, near misses, incidents, and damaged fire protection equipment to supervision immediately.
• Participate in daily safety meetings and toolbox talks.
• Follow all OSHA regulations, client requirements, and company safety policies.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous industrial, construction, refinery, petrochemical, or manufacturing experience preferred.
• Fire Watch, OSHA, or Basic Safety certifications preferred.
• Ability to recognize fire hazards and unsafe work conditions.
• Must successfully complete required client site safety orientation and training.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of hot work safety procedures.
• Ability to recognize hazardous conditions quickly.
• Strong attention to detail and situational awareness.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and craft personnel.
• Ability to remain alert and focused for extended periods.
• Basic understanding of fire extinguisher types and their proper use.
• Ability to follow written procedures and permit requirements.
• Dependable with excellent attendance and safety performance.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolding as required.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, steel-toe boots, hearing protection, respirator, and fall protection when required.

Work Environment

This position is performed at industrial construction, maintenance, turnaround, and outage sites including refineries, petrochemical plants, chemical facilities, power plants, paper mills, and manufacturing facilities. Employees may be exposed to heat, noise, dust, elevated work areas, confined spaces, and changing weather conditions. Overtime, weekends, holidays, and shift work may be required based on project needs.

Preferred Certifications

• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30
• Basic Plus Safety Orientation
• Fire Watch Training
• Confined Space Awareness
• Hazard Communication (HazCom)
• Respiratory Protection Awareness