Fire watch guards are often required to supervise “hot work” when it is done outdoors or in a location that doesn’t have adequate fire safety systems in place. Most often, activities like welding are conducted in dedicated facilities that have the required fire detection and suppression equipment built into the infrastructure of the building. There are frequent exceptions to this rule: construction sites in residential neighborhoods, for example, or short-term jobs at facilities that lack the necessary safety systems.
In cases like these, fire watch guards are the most reliable and cost-effective way to supervise hot work and ensure the safety of personnel and property. Moreover, fire watch guards are often required by law, with many jurisdictions increasing the penalties for noncompliance.
New Rules for Hot Work in Massachusetts
In 2024, the Massachusetts General Court is advancing legislation to boost safety for firefighters and folks engaged in hot work such as welding, plasma cutting, and spark producing construction. The new regulations will make it easier for stakeholders and members of the public to report on violations so that unsafe job sites can be addressed quickly. A public database and notification system will add transparency and allow employees to be instantly alerted if they are being asked to work in unsafe conditions.
Laws governing hot work have been on the books for decades. This new legislation in Massachusetts will ensure those rules are followed by making it easy for anyone to report violations. Moreover, it eliminates ambiguity around certification and licensing for workers doing hot work:
“Violations shall include but not be limited to: failure to receive a Hot Works training certification prior to performing hot work, failure to perform hot work in accordance with DFS and municipal regulations, intentionally wrongfully identifying oneself for the purpose of performing hot work, or knowingly allowing the performance of hot work by someone without proper certification.”
(An Act relative to violation of regulation regarding hot work processes, Bill S.1485, 193rd Congress. 2024)
A key takeaway from the second item listed: “…failure to perform hot work in accordance with DFS and municipal regulations…” Realistically, most folks engaged in hot work know that certifications are required for workers who actually handle tools. The gray area tends to be the requirements of the job site itself – if work needs to be completed quickly to advance a project, teams on site may be willing to look the other way if a specific fire safety mechanism is not present.
When in Doubt: Fire Watch Guards
This places a tremendous burden on team leads and contractors, who will now face swift repercussions if a job site fails to meet safety requirements. Fire watch guards, therefore, appear to be the most flexible, cost-effective, and reliable way to ensure safety on an active jobsite.
A typical scenario could include a construction site where welding is scheduled to take place. A team lead could learn quite late that the site lacks the fire safety mechanisms required by law. In order for work to proceed, a costly and complicated fire detection system could be installed on site, or the team could enlist the help of fire watch guards.
Of course, this situation is a hypothetical – most job sites will deploy a combination of systems to ensure the safety of product and personnel. Nonetheless, gaps could easily exist that put team members at risk. With the new legislation, those gaps could be reported and work forced to stop. Professional fire watch guards are the best way to cover those gaps, and ensure work proceeds on schedule.
Contact National Firewatch for More Information
National Firewatch has proudly deployed the most experienced and reliable fire watch guards across the United States for over a decade. 24/7 dispatch ensures we have the best response time in our industry – deploying guards to job sites within hours of contact.
From Massachusetts to our home state of California, National Firewatch is ready to cover any safety gaps that may exist on your job site. If your team is engaged in hot work, and you do not already have a reliable fire watch partner, we strongly encourage you to contact our office today so you’ll have access to guards when you need them.