Inspection Detail

Inspection: 120311212 - Old Time Quality Painting

Inspection Information - Office: Van Nuys District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 1:00 p.m. on March 5, 2002, Employees #1 and #2 were stripping the existing paint off kitchen walls in a residential home that was undergoing remodeling. Employee #1, the company owner, was using steel wool and lacquer thinner to strip paint off of the island in the kitchen. He was using a 5-gallon bucket containing about 1 gallon of lacquer. Employee #2 was stripping paint off of a cabinet about 10 feet away. An outlet, with the cover plate removed, was on the side of the island where Employee #1 was working. Employee #1 contacted the uncovered outlet with the steel wool causing a flash fire. The paper floor covering and the bucket of lacquer thinner then caught on fire. Employee #1 picked up the bucket and carried it outside to prevent other items in the house from catching on fire. As he stepped outside, he tripped and fell onto the concrete causing the bucket to fall and splash on him. His neck and arms caught on fire. Employee #2 came to help Employee #1 put out the fire and was burned in the process. Employee #1 suffered first and second-degree burns to his body and Employee #2 suffered first-degree burns.

Keywords: BURN, LACQUER, FIRE, TRIPPED, NECK, ARM, PAINTER