Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1226774.015 - Eleven West Builders, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Monrovia District Office

Investigation Summary

At 2:30 p.m. on March 2, 2017, Employee #1 and Coworker #1, employed by a construction company specializing in concrete work, were engaged in concrete pavement cutting work at a job site. Employee #1 was operating a Husqvarna K 1260 power hand saw to make a 6-inch deep cut along a 17-foot line in the pavement. Throughout the process, the cutting sporadically generated sparks, a common phenomenon during concrete cutting. Employee #1 saw a fire ball next to his right foot and then realized the saw was on fire. He threw the saw away from his body, but not before the fire had ignited on his legs. Coworker #1 attempted to assist Employee #1. Emergency services were called, and Employee #1 was transported to the hospital. He was admitted and treated for second degree burns to his hands and third degree burns to his legs. During the subsequent investigation, the investigator learned that the hand saw's gas cap had not been adequately secured when the saw was fueled. The saw's aggressive vibration caused fuel to spill onto the equipment and Employee #1's legs. Sparks from the cutting process then ignited the fuel.

Keywords: Arm, Burn, Combustible Liquid, Fuel Oil, Hand Tool, Leg, Saw, Spill, Unsecured, Vibrations