A propane tank explosion in North Andover on Monday sent two people to the hospital with serious injuries. An employee at a Mobil gas station on Osgood street was helping a customer fill the propane tank on a recreational vehicle when the explosion occurred.

Both victims were medflighted to Boston hospitals with burns. Investigators are examining the propane storage tank and the camper to try and determine the cause of the explosion. Firefighters at the scene told NECN that they had difficulty turning off the gas flowing from the propane tank.

Propane tank explosions are rare. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported three propane explosion fatalities from 20 incidents in 2017. These incidents involved a wide range of propane tanks, from handheld tanks used by plumbers to large storage tanks, as well as one fatality caused by a propane delivery truck striking a worker.

Because workplace accidents involving propane are rare, injuries and deaths from propane must be investigated as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. Fueling operations were responsible for many propane-related injuries in 2017, including one case in Oregon where a propane explosion took place while an employee was fueling a motor home.

For those who use propane recreationally, now is the time to inspect tanks, grills, hoses and valves.  Worn hoses and valves should be replaced immediately. Tanks should be brought to a propane dealer for inspection and replacement if there are any signs of wear.

For those who work with propane, vigilance is essential. Make sure your equipment is in good condition and always inspect customer equipment before you begin fueling. Do not be afraid to refuse service if a customer asks you to refuel a tank that appears damaged. Remember, too, that hoses wear over time and are vulnerable to small holes at the points where they flex the most.

Should the unthinkable happen, the workplace accident lawyers at Sheff Law stand ready to help. We bring decades of experience in civil prosecutions of fire and explosion injuries. Other firms give you one lawyer, but Sheff provides a team of attorneys to ensure that you get the best communication and the most thorough investigation of your claim.

Call us at 1-888-423-4477 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation review of your case.