Petroleum and gas safety alert no. 93 | 11 September 2019 | Version 1

Open gas connection ignites and causes injury at commercial kitchen

What happened?

While trying to light a gas appliance in a commercial kitchen, a worker inadvertently turned ON the wrong gas isolation valve, which was not sealed, resulting in the released gas being ignited and causing injuries requiring hospital treatment.

How did it happen?

• The commercial kitchen originally had four gas appliances installed
• Some two weeks prior to the incident, one of the gas appliances had been disconnected and removed. The gas appliance isolation valve was turned OFF but not capped or plugged.
• A kitchen worker turned ON the wrong gas isolation valve while trying to ignite a gas appliance.
• The gas that was released from the open end of the gas isolation valve, ignited and caused a localised fire and injury to the worker.
• The Inspectorate is investigating potential unlicensed gas work.

Key issues

• Appliance isolation valve not sealed after the appliance was removed.
• Potential unlicensed gas work carried out on a gas system.

Recommendations

• All persons conducting a business or undertaking should use a suitably qualified gas work licence holder to undertake gas work.
• Gas systems installed in commercial kitchens should include a easily identifiable and accessible emergency gas shut-off valve
• All staff should familiarise themselves with the location of emergency gas shut-off valve to be utilised in an emergency
• All staff employed  in commercial kitchens should be trained to undertake the work relevant to their position.

Comments

• The gas system included a readily accessible emergency gas shut-off valve which was quickly turned off by someone from an adjacent property.
• An easily identifiable and accessible emergency gas shut-off valve limited further risk to people and reduced the potential of further property damage.

References and further information

Image 1: Shows the location of the open ended outlet and the emergency gas shut-off valve.

Image 2: A close-up image of the open end.

Image 3: The emergency gas shut-off valve.