Gas tank explosion injures Queensland man

Gas Tank Explosion Injures Queensland Man

A Queensland man has been rushed to hospital after a gas tank exploded while he was cutting it with an angle grinder on Wednesday afternoon. Burns to his arms, legs, and general shock left him needing urgent aeromedical care.

RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter crews were called to a private property in the Gladstone region at around 3 pm following the blast. Paramedics stabilised him on scene before flying him to Bundaberg Hospital for further treatment.

What Happened During the Incident

Reports indicate the man, in his 60s, sustained burns to his legs and arms when the gas tank exploded mid-task. Cutting sealed containers with an angle grinder carries extreme risk, since trapped fuel vapours or residual pressure can ignite instantly, causing catastrophic injury.

This case echoes other recent safety news of a workplace explosion in north Queensland, where a worker suffered critical injuries from a similar equipment failure. Both incidents highlight recurring hazards tied to pressurised containers and improper cutting techniques.

Community Response and Ongoing Safety Awareness

Local community members expressed concern following the explosion, noting how quickly routine maintenance tasks can turn dangerous without proper precautions. Safety officials continue to remind property owners that any tank suspected of holding flammable residue should never be cut, welded, or ground without prior degassing and certification.

Australia's work health and safety regulators consistently emphasise hazard identification before undertaking hot work near fuel storage. According to Safe Work Australia, employers and property owners alike carry a duty of care to ensure equipment is properly isolated before maintenance begins.

Preventing Similar Incidents

Safety professionals across construction, manufacturing, and industrial sectors should treat this event as a reminder to reassess protocols around tank maintenance and hot work. Key precautions include:

• Verifying tanks are fully degassed and certified safe before cutting or grinding
• Using appropriate personal protective equipment for burns and blast risk
• Following documented Safe Work Method Statements for high-risk tasks
• Ensuring emergency response plans are current and accessible on-site

For related guidance on managing pressurised systems safely, see our Refrigerant Gas SWMS template, which outlines safe handling procedures for gas-related work. Property owners managing storage or vacuumation tasks may also benefit from our Septic Tank Vacuumation SWMS resource.

Related Queensland Safety News

This incident joins a growing list of Queensland safety news stories involving serious workplace and property-related injuries. Other recent news includes a bull injuring a man in central Queensland and a separate case where a man was trampled by a cow in southeast Queensland. Together, these reports underscore how unpredictable hazards, whether mechanical or animal-related, continue to threaten worker and public safety statewide.

Read the original article here for further news updates on this developing story.