Why Hands-On Fire Extinguisher Training Is Essential for Fire Watch Personnel
In many industrial and construction settings, fire watch duties are a critical part of maintaining workplace safety—especially during hot work activities like welding, cutting, or grinding. Fire watch personnel are tasked with monitoring for signs of fire during and after such operations. While many employers provide general fire safety awareness, one crucial component is often overlooked: hands-on training with fire extinguishers.
The OSHA Requirement
According to OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1), “Where the employer has provided portable fire extinguishers for employee use in the workplace, the employer shall also provide an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting.” Additionally, 29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2)(iii)(B) mandates that a fire watch be maintained "during and for at least 30 minutes after" welding or cutting operations in areas where a fire hazard exists. OSHA further requires under 1910.157(g)(2) that employers provide training at the time of being hired and annually thereafter.
But understanding the principles isn’t enough. In Subpart L 1910.155 OSHA defines training as, “the process of making proficient through instruction and hands-on practice in the operation of equipment, including respiratory protection equipment, that is expected to be used and in the performance of assigned duties.” Hands-on training when employees are expected to use extinguishers, such as is the case when acting as a fire watch, is required! Watching a PowerPoint or reading a manual doesn't prepare someone to effectively act in an emergency. Fire watch personnel must be able to locate, assess, and operate extinguishers under stress.
Why Hands-On Training Matters
Fire extinguishers are deceptively simple in appearance but can be difficult to operate in real situations. When a fire starts, even a small one, panic can set in. The person on fire watch needs to:
Recognize the type of fire (A, B, C, etc.)
Select the correct extinguisher
Quickly remember the PASS method: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
Maintain proper distance
Know when to fight the fire—and when to evacuate
Hands-on training allows the employee to develop muscle memory, reduce hesitation, and gain confidence. Without it, even the best-intentioned fire watch may freeze or use the extinguisher improperly, rendering the response ineffective—or worse, putting themselves and others at greater risk.
What Might Go Wrong Without Training
Failure to provide hands-on training for fire watch personnel can result in catastrophic consequences:
Delayed Response: An untrained fire watch may fumble with the extinguisher or take too long to act.
Incorrect Use: Using the wrong type of extinguisher (e.g., water on an electrical fire) can cause the fire to spread or cause electrocution.
Insufficient Coverage: Improper sweeping technique or standing too close may allow the fire to reignite.
Personal Injury: Extinguishers discharge with force and can cause injury if not handled properly.
Total Loss: What could have been a minor incident with a quick response may escalate into a full-blown fire, causing injuries, downtime, and thousands in damage.
Conclusion
Employers who assign fire watch duties must go beyond compliance checklists and ensure that those individuals are fully prepared to act. Hands-on fire extinguisher training isn't just a regulatory box to tick—it's a lifesaving necessity. OSHA is clear on the requirement, and common sense backs it up. In an emergency, knowledge alone isn’t power—practice is.
