What is the role of a fire watch?

The role of a fire watch is primarily to monitor areas for fire hazards, particularly after hot work operations such as welding or cutting, where sparks and heat can ignite nearby combustible materials. This position is crucial in ensuring safety by observing the work area and taking immediate action if a fire is detected. A fire watch is responsible for maintaining vigilance during and after welding or other activities that may present a fire risk, typically staying at the site for a specified period to ensure no latent fires develop.

While extinguishing fires could be part of their duties if an emergency arises, the primary focus of a fire watch is on prevention and detection rather than direct firefighting, which is more aligned with the duties of trained firefighters or personnel designated for emergency response. Additionally, preventing electrical malfunctions and conducting fire safety training are specific tasks that do not fall under the fire watch role but may belong to other designated safety personnel on board.