That time the torch flashback nearly took my eyebrows off at a Pasadena plant

Was up on a scaffold doing some retube work at a power plant near Pasadena, and I had a refractory fire brick fall and knock my oxygen hose loose right as I lit the torch. Flashed back through the tip and blew a good 3 feet of flame right past my face before I could kill the gas. Had to re-dress the torch head and swap out a melted o-ring before I could finish the shift. Any of you guys use a specific brand of flashback arrestors that actually hold up in tight spots?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_robin7d ago

Has your buddy tried the Victor ones? I had a buddy who did something similar but with a cutting torch at a scrap yard near Houston, flame shot back and lit up his whole glove before he could shake it off. He swore by the Harris arrestors after that, said they held up better in tight spots on boiler work. Lost a good pair of leathers to that flashback though, smelled like burnt hair for a week lol.

waderamirez7d ago

Heard that, I used to think flashback arrestors were overkill but that story changed my mind.

webb.hannah7d ago

I'm glad your buddy was alright after that, but it sounds like a close call I wouldn't wish on anyone. Those stories always stick with you a lot more than a safety manual ever could. I still think it's smart to question things that feel like overkill, but sometimes it just takes one bad day to change your whole view.