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.
Investigations are ongoing and further information may be published as it becomes available. The information in this publication is what is known at the time of writing.
We issue Safety Notices to draw attention to the occurrence of a serious incident, raise awareness of risks, and prompt assessment of your existing controls.
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
Petroleum and Gas (Safety) Regulation 2018
AS/NZS5601.1 Gas installations, Part 1 General installations
Gas appliance manufacturers instructions and specifications
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.
Contact: John Wright, Regional Inspector , +61 7 4936 0146 john.wright@dnrme.qld.gov.au
Issued by Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy
General: This information is a guide only. It is not to be taken as a statement of law and must not be construed to waive or modify any legal obligation.
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