Inspection Detail

Inspection: 125950808 - Four Stars Dba Four Stars Catering

Inspection Information - Office: Santa Ana District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 7:58 a.m. on December 19, 2004, Employees #1, 2, and 3 worked for an employer that owned a catering truck. Employees #1, 2, and 3 were preparing and selling various food items from the catering truck for the employer. There were four portable gas ranges, one was a Gasone, Model Number EZS-1000, and the other four were Katherine, Model RJ-1000. The food was being kept warm and distributed from approximately 5-gallon containers. Employee #2 was serving the food to the customers. Employee #3 was preparing the dough to make tortillas. Employee #1's employer told her to change out the portable butane container on one of the portable gas ranges. Employee #1 retrieved a butane container from below the passenger seat. The butane container was next to one of the portable gas ranges that were being used. Employee #1 said that the container was warm to the touch. When she bent over to prepare to change out the container, it exploded in her hands. Employee #2 was about 2 ft away from Employee #1 at the time of the explosion. Employee #3 was in front of Employee #1. There were three other employees in the truck at the time of the explosion, but they did not sustain any injuries. Employee #1 received burns to over 30 percent of her body and an injury to the back of her head. Employee #2 received first-degree burns to half of her face and left arm. Employee #3 received second-degree burns to her right forearm, hand, back, and face. Employees #1, #2, and #3 were hospitalized and treated for their injuries. All three employees were employees of the employer.

Keywords: BURN, HEAT, FOOD PREPARATION, BUTANE, GAS, BACK, EXPLOSION, TRUCK, ARM, FACE