A Garage Safety Lesson

dave2811Member

I work with a great group of guys (engineers) in an airframe assembly business. We are are also a bunch car guys. One of my teammates had a very unfortunate accident recently.

He was working on welding some sheet metal on a Ford van project. He drained the fuel out of the tank in attempt to mitigate the risk of welding near the tank, but for some reason, stored the gasoline in an open 5 gallon pail in a corner of the garage near the work site.

A welding spark found that pail and it ignited. He has 3rd degree "plus" burns on the right side of his body. Apparently there is no clinical definition for 4th degree burns, or that is what he would have.

He is now going through multiple surgeries for skin grafts and then several months of rehabilitation. I can't even imagine the pain. He is on a morphine drip for now.

This moment of indiscretion / carelessness has changed his life - forever.

I guess I don't have to state the obvious for those of us who work on our vehicles at home. Be careful. Be safe.

10/28/127:17 PM

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markcharltonOld enough to know better and still young enough not to care. My '71 Pantera

Dave, That is a very sad and unfortunate incident. We all make weak decisions that can later be viewed as scary, but often (thankfully) without incident. Your co-worker was not so fortunate that a lapse of judgement had such terrible consequences. I hope that he recovers.

It is always wise advice to slow down and think things through and we can all benefit from hearing it again.

Mark

10/28/128:39 PM

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luiMember

Sorry to hear about your friend. Hope his recory goes as well as possible.

It's a good reminder that when it comes to safety at home you have to apply the standards as if you were at work.

10/28/1211:54 PM

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noquarterMember

Fuel accidents like that scare me since a lucky escape as a boy. Every car I have has either a hardline or russel type braided hoses anywhere where fuel is pressurized. And no glass or plastic fuel filters.

When needing to fix a leaking gas tank or something similar, I never do it, I buy new.

Best of luck to your co worker

10/29/124:15 AM

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comp2Member

I keep all my paint products in a cabinet. I keep one can of solvent out I use but I know it is the only one and I keep an eye on it.

All gas cans are not kept in the shop but in another barn.

I have a large fire extinguisher by the door. On my way out I can grab it or keep on running either way.

When I bought my last house and built this house one requirement I had was that the work shop was not attached to the house.

Risk is a constant thing to manage.

I wish your friend well. I don't know much worst then severe burns.

10/29/1211:56 AM

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lastpushbuttonMember

Ive been cheating fire forever. God bless your friend.. My bussiness requires lots of volitle compunds. Dupount explosevs uses many separate buildings.

11/6/124:47 PM

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dave2811Member

Thanks everyone for the well wishes for my friend.

An Update: The Fire Marshall's investigation shows that the van's fuel tank went off first, and then the pail of gasoline.

He is now at home on a positive recovery path, as positive as 3rd degree burn recovery can be anyway.

This subject reminds me of another project car I had that caught on fire because of my improper terminating of a rubber fuel line to a hard line. I didn't re-form the bead on the hard line that was cut shorter from stock. On a hot day, the rubber line simply pulled off and sprayed gasoline on a hot manifold.

The first second, I smelled gasoline, the second I see white vapor streaming from the vents in the hood, the third second I see fire coming out of the vents in the hood. I got out and watched the car burn, almost to the ground until the fire department put it out.

The takeaway is: There can be no compromise for quality components and workmanship when working on the fuel system.

11/6/128:04 PM

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