Description

A 34 year-old worker was injured while working on the balcony of a townhouse in Botany. A temporary plastic canopy was installed over the balcony to act as a rain barrier. The worker was undertaking waterproofing at the time using a highly flammable solvent-based contact adhesive, membrane sheets and a hot air tool. An open plastic bucket containing the decanted adhesive ignited, and remained on fire, resulting in second to third degree burns to both legs of the worker. Parts of the balcony, including the plastic canopy, caught on fire.