Confined Space Flash Fire

Portable Halogen Light

From CalOsha Reporter - 7/3/14
DOSH is seeking more than $82,000 in penalties against Shafter's Shar-Craft, Inc., in a Dec. 17 incident that seriously burned a painter in a large steel tank. The worker was spraying flammable coating on the inside wall of the tank and it ignited because of a portable halogen light he was using for illumination.

Cal/OSHA says the employer “knowingly” allowed the use of the unauthorized electric lamp. It also says the employer did not have a permit for confined-space work and did not have proper ventilation or protective equipment for the operation.

The 37-year-old worker spent three days in a burn unit following the incident. DOSH cited Shar-Craft for an alleged willful-serious violation, three serious violations and 12 other violations, including failure to report the incident within eight hours. The employer reported it four days later.

---