Re: MAPP gas cylinder and torch Explosions and Injuries
WARNING: BERNZOMATIC AND OTHER BRAND MAPP GAS CYLINDERS MAY SEPARATE AT THE TOP "NECK" JOINT, CAUSING EXPLOSIONS, SEVERE BURN INJURIES, AND POSSIBLY DEATH! THE SAFETY "FRACTURE GROOVES" ON THE TORCH HANDLES ARE INEFFECTIVE!
The area where this card is inserted has separated and caused several severe burn injuries.
BERNZOMATIC, WORTHINGTON CYLINDER CORPORATION, TURBO TORCH, LENOX, ACE, SEARS, THERMADYNE, and possibly OTHERS
The torch handle contains a "fracture groove" designed to fracture the tube so that the cylinder does not breach and explode. However, in all cases posted in this website, no fracture groove has ever actually fractured. Instead, the cylinders separated and caused severe burn injuries. We believe the trigger locking mechanism is also a design defect, because it allows the user to hold the cylinder rather than the torch handle, which can stress the vulnerable portion of the cylinder.
LEGAL DISPUTE BETWEEN BERNZOMATIC AND WORTHINGTON
Identifying the must culpable distributor or manufacturer with respect to injuries caused by the MAPP gas cylinder and torch handle
can be aided considerably by reviewing the pleadings with respect to the internal legal dispute between Bernzomatic and Worthington,
located under "
Internal Disputes"
MANUFACTURER AND DISTRIBUTOR KNOWLEDGE OF THE DEFECT
Regardless of the brand label, at this time it appears the ultimate manufacturer and distributor is either Worthington Industries,
Bernzomatic, or both. However, the distributor presently has a lawsuit pending against the manufacturer. For more details,
please see the "
internal disputes" tab. At this point Bernzomatic and Worthington have actual knowledge of the product defects
described in this publication, but refuse to take any action to protect the users. On
Bernzomatic's website Bernzomatic posts -
Fracture Groove:
A designed in failure point in the torch, so that when the torch & cylinder are dropped, the fracture groove
will fail prior to the cylinder center bushing failing. If the center bushing fails, then an extremely large 8 to 10 foot flame will
erupt from the cylinder. Examples of torches with a fracture groove are: UL2317, JT680, JT681, JT539, TS4000, TS7000.
Bernzomatic
and Worthington have been asked to review the disclosures on this website and advise if any of the expert findings, including
their own experts' findings, are in dispute. As of the date of this publication, those findings have not been disputed.
If the distributor and manufacturer dispute any of the findings published under the "expert" tab, and they provide reasonable evidence
that those findings are inaccurate, this website shall be immediately revised to reflect their disputed positions and delete
any inaccurate information. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SOLE INTENT OF THIS WEBSITE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO INJURY VICTIMS AND
PREVENT FUTURE INJURIES AND / OR DEATH TO THE EXTENT THAT THIS WEBSITE IS ABLE TO DO SO.
The fracture grooves have repeatedly failed, though Worthington's cylinders often breach and explode at a measured force well below
that which is required to fracture the safety fracture groove. Details are presented under "
Expert."
