Years ago my mom was attempting to light our propane-fired swimming pool heater. The pilot light had apparently gone out and back then you would use a match to relight the pilot light. The pilot light blew out the first match and she did not turn it off while she got a new match to make a second attempt. The heater body filled with propane and when she brought the second match in a huge fireball rolled out of the heating unit. She did a stop drop and roll in the pachysandra. Melted her pantyhose off her, lost some hair, an eyebrow and some eyelashes, but no lasting major damage.

And, no doubt, a lot of us have watched a huge fireball roll out of the backyard gas grill when our first attempt to light it failed (especially as I've never met an electronic grill igniter that worked for more than a season or two).

So just a reminder to BE SAFE this weekend and summer. Let that grill air out before trying to light it again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhSa38NzYnA

Rob Toreki

======================================================

Safety Emporium - Lab & Safety Supplies featuring brand names

you know and trust. Visit us at http://www.SafetyEmporium.com

esales**At_Symbol_Here**safetyemporium.com or toll-free: (866) 326-5412

Fax: (856) 553-6154, PO Box 1003, Blackwood, NJ 08012

On May 24, 2018, at 9:57 AM, DCHAS Membership Chair <membership**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG> wrote:

I suspect similar accident scenarios apply to a number of other workplaces as well.

- Ralph

MNM Serious Accident Alert

On May 9, 2018, a miner was burned while lighting a gas-fired kiln. Gas accumulated inside the kiln before the pilot light was inserted through an opening in the hood. When the main burner ignited, the flame propagated to the area outside the kiln through the hood opening,, catching the worker's shirt on fire. The miner suffered significant burns and will require a lengthy hospitalization. The green jacket-draped chair in the image shows where the worker was positioned when the flame blow-back occurred.

Best Practices
• Wear appropriate flame-protective clothing while igniting kiln fuel burners and pilot lights..
• Close up all openings in the kiln hood that are not required for igniting the main burner.
• Use a pilot light long enough to extend from the tip of the main burner to a safe location outside the kiln.
• Ignite the pilot light before introducing fuel into the kiln through the main burner. Pre-position the pilot light near the tip of the main burner, insert the pilot through a small opening in the kiln hood and secure it in place outside the kiln.
• Open the main fuel valve or start the main fuel feeder supply after the pilot light is in place.
• Observe the fuel flame and adjust the pilot light position from a safe location. A two-person team is recommended so if the main burner fails to light, or snuffs out the pilot flame, the main fuel supply can be promptly shut off to minimize the accumulation of unburned fuel inside the kiln.

This alert can be posted on bulletin boards, used in safety talks, or given to miners and contractors as a hand out.

https://www.msha.gov/mnm-serious-accident-alert-surface-kiln

---
For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas

--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas