# Second degree heat (thermal) burns at Charter Communications
> OSHA SIR `2018054740` · 5/15/2018 · DULUTH, GEORGIA
## Severity
- **1 hospitalization**
- **Body part:** Multiple body parts, n.e.c.
- **Nature of injury:** Second degree heat (thermal) burns
## Cause
- **Event:** Ignition of vapors, gases, or liquids
- **Source:** Natural gas
- **Secondary source:** Welding, cutting, and blow torches
## Employer
- **Name:** Charter Communications
- **Location:** 1925Breckenridge Plaza, DULUTH, GEORGIA, 30096
- **NAICS:** 518111
- **Jurisdiction:** 1
## Narrative

A maintenance employee was splicing an underground cable. As he was heat shrinking the waterproofing tubing around the cable splice with a torch, the heat caused a gas service line under the cable to break, leaking gas. A flash fire then occurred, burning the employee's face and causing second degree burns to his arm.

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*Source: [OSHA Severe Injury Reports](https://www.osha.gov/severe-injury-reports) · MORVS · CC0 1.0*