Browns AC Inc
Vehicle or machinery fire — Thermal burns second degree — PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida
| Employer | Browns AC Inc |
| Address | 7490 Danvers Circle |
| City, State ZIP | PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida 33981 |
| Report ID | 20241010109 |
| Event Date | October 30, 2024 |
| Outcome | Hospitalized |
| Nature of Injury | Thermal burns second degree |
| Body Part | Multiple body parts n.e.c. |
| Event Type | Vehicle or machinery fire |
| Source of Injury | Air conditioning units |
| Secondary Source | Torches welding, cutting |
| Industry (NAICS) | 238220 |
| GPS Coordinates | 26.91000, -82.21000 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
An employee was changing out a thermal expansion valve for the AC equipment in the hallway handler closet. The employee was using an oxygen acetylene torch during the startup and oil that was trapped in the copper line of the AC system ignited, causing a flash fire. The employee sustained first- and second-degree burns on their left hand, arm, knees, and stomach.
Incident Summary
On October 30, 2024, a worker at Browns AC Inc in PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida suffered thermal burns second degree to the multiple body parts n.e.c.. The incident was classified as vehicle or machinery fire, with air conditioning units identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized.
Context
OSHA has recorded 197 severe injury reports involving "Vehicle or machinery fire" incidents in our database. Browse all Vehicle or machinery fire injuries.
Similar Incidents
Other severe injury reports involving Vehicle or machinery fire events:
| Date | Employer | Location | Nature | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 29, 2015 | Maval Industries LLC Division of Remy International | TWINSBURG, Ohio | Third or fourth degree heat (thermal) burns | Hosp. |
| Nov 4, 2024 | Upshur Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation | GILMER, Texas | Thermal burns third degree or higher | Hosp. |
| Aug 9, 2025 | Code 4 Catering LLC | ZACHARY, Louisiana | Thermal burns third degree or higher | Hosp. |
| May 16, 2024 | KD Products | SPRINGFIELD, Missouri | Thermal burns degree unspecified | Hosp. |
| Apr 5, 2023 | Oasis Systems | DRESDEN, New York | Second degree heat (thermal) burns | Hosp. |
| May 2, 2024 | Wiregrass Construction | HUNTSVILLE, Alabama | Burns and toxic effects (including smoke inhalation) | Hosp. |
| Sep 9, 2019 | Pappas Restaurants, Inc. | DALLAS, Texas | Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified | Hosp. |
| Jul 25, 2018 | DePaul Senior Living Communities, Inc. | NORTH CHILI, New York | Electrical burns, unspecified | Hosp. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Workers injured on the job have the right to medical treatment covered by workers' compensation, wage replacement benefits during recovery, and protection against retaliation for reporting the injury. You have the right to file a complaint with OSHA if you believe your workplace is unsafe, and OSHA cannot reveal your identity to your employer without your consent. You also have the right to see your OSHA 300 injury log. If your employer denies a workers' comp claim, you can appeal through your state's workers' compensation board. An occupational health attorney can advise on complex cases involving denied claims or third-party liability.
After an employer reports a severe injury, OSHA decides whether to conduct an on-site inspection. Fatalities and amputations typically trigger automatic inspections. For hospitalizations and eye loss events, OSHA may conduct a phone/fax investigation or an on-site inspection based on the circumstances. During an inspection, OSHA compliance officers assess the accident scene, interview witnesses, review safety records, and identify violations. Citations and penalties may be issued. OSHA also works with the employer to abate hazardous conditions. All inspection results are published in OSHA's public inspection database at osha.gov.
You can file an OSHA complaint online at osha.gov/workers/file-complaint, by calling 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742), or by visiting your local OSHA area office. Complaints can be filed anonymously. OSHA prioritizes formal written complaints from workers. If you believe an imminent danger exists, call OSHA immediately — they are required to investigate immediately when there is reasonable grounds to believe imminent danger exists. Workers are protected from retaliation for filing complaints under Section 11(c) of the OSH Act; if you experience retaliation, file a separate complaint within 30 days of the adverse action.
About This OSHA Report
This is a severe injury report filed with OSHA. Employers are required to report all work-related fatalities and severe injuries within 8 to 24 hours. Browse more reports by employer, state, or industry below.