Inspection Detail

Inspection: 120277504 - Bob Baker Chevrolet Of El Cajon

Inspection Information - Office: San Diego District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 12:30 p.m. on July 4, 1999, Employee #1, a 49- year old salesman, was seriously burned on both hands while barbecuing chicken on a propane stove. Employee #1's manager lit a gas barbecue in preparation for cooking chicken for the sales staff. After placing the chicken on the grill, he was called away to answer a telephone call. He told another salesman to "watch the chicken". A few minutes later a loud explosion was heard and the salesman was engulfed in a fire ball. Both of his hands had 2nd and 3rd degree burns. The manager saw that the grill was still lit. He then turned off the valves to both supply tanks. The manager called for medical assistance. Paramedics transported Employee #1 to a local burn center for treatment. Company investigation revealed no observable gas leaks, and the grill appeared to be operating normally. California OSHA inspectors found no physical problem with the grill, but the company removed it from service. The investigation revealed that the regulators on the tanks could be loosened by hand without very much effort. Investigators believe there is a strong possibility that a very slow leak around threaded connections may have caused the propane gas to pool in the tank area below the grill. After about 30 minutes of operation, this pool of gas ignited causing the fire. The company failed to provide adequate training when new equipment was used in the work place.

Keywords: BURN, PROPANE, HAND