Inspection Detail

Inspection: 120346580 - Safari Painting

Inspection Information - Office: Sacramento District Office

Investigation Summary

On May 14, 2004, Employee #1, a painter, was spraying lacquer primer on kitchen cabinets. He did not shut off the stove's pilot light during the preparation. As the painter was almost done, he heard a whoosh sound, saw a fireball erupt from the stove onto the cabinet above it and begin spreading. He attempted to put it out with a rag, but caught it and himself on fire. He left the burning house. The Fire Department responded, put out the fire, and called an ambulance to transport Employee #1 to the burn center of a hospital. He was hospitalized for 10 days to treat second-degree burns in the accident. The employer, who was not around during the painting, returned during the fire, saw Employee #1 and the ambulance leave. The employer did not report the occupational injury to the Division until 65 hours later. The employer was cited for not timely reporting an occupational injury, not having a Written Injury and Illness Prevention Program, nor a written Hazard Communication Program, and permitting an ignition source where flammable vapors exceeded 25 percent of the lower explosive limit.

Keywords: BURN, FIRE, SPRAY PAINTING, COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID, PAINTER