Safety Flash
Space heater caught fire
Space heater caught fire
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 15/19
- Control of WorkElectrical SafetyHot Work and FireHuman Factors
- Electrical safetyFireHuman factors
- Pre-use checksSafety communication
Summary
A heater was remotely re-energised after washing, although housekeeping remained incomplete. Three portable lights, a tarpaulin and adjacent electrical cables caught fire. The flash identifies assumptions about completion and failure to inspect the heater, emphasising physical verification of safe worksite conditions before restoring power.
Classifications: Electrical safety; electrical hazards.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Human factors; human performance; ergonomics.
Classifications: Pre-use checks; pre-use inspection.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Summary
A remotely re-energised heater ignited coverings, lights and cables because worksite conditions were assumed safe without physical verification.
IMCA SF 15/19. Themes: control of work, electrical safety, hot work and fire, human factors.