Who is this programme for?
People assigned to fire-watch duties during welding, cutting and other hot work, together with supervisors controlling these activities.
What will you learn?
Recognise the purpose and responsibilities of fire watch during hot work and other activities with ignition risks.
- Hot-work hazards and how sparks, heat and nearby materials affect the work area.
- Fire-watch responsibilities, communication and the connection with the permit system.
- Warning arrangements, emergency awareness and monitoring specified by the work controls.
Why is fire watch linked to hot-work planning?
Welding and cutting can affect more than the immediate work point. The training helps a watcher understand why the surrounding area, nearby activities and changing conditions matter to the assigned monitoring role. Communication with the work team and permit personnel is central to that coordination.
This makes fire watching an active responsibility rather than simply being present nearby. The site procedure defines the required observations, equipment, reporting arrangements and any monitoring after the work.
How is the published knowledge assessment structured?
The OSHAS programme page describes an open-book knowledge assessment with 2 hours allowed and a minimum pass score of 65%. These are the rules for this programme, not a universal pass mark for every OSHAS course. Practical duties also require competence appropriate to the work.
Does a fire watcher issue the work permit?
Fire watching and permit authorisation are separate responsibilities. The watcher monitors the activity within the assigned role and raises concerns through the agreed system. Issuing, accepting or suspending a permit follows the employer’s authorisation arrangements and requires the appropriate role-specific competence.