Fifty-one year-old Marshal was refilling SCBA cylinders with pure oxygen used in the breathing apparatuses of JWR's Mine Rescue Teams when the oxygen caught fire.

Marshal was preparing to fill the cylinders by opening a ball valve allowing oxygen from the supply tanks to enter a Haskel Oxygen Booster System designed for oxygen service.

The oxygen in a filter and the piping supplying the pump ignited combustible material within these components. The resulting fire burned through the filter and piping, engulfing the victim.

On Tuesday August 26 it was reported Marshal remained in critical condition at UAB's Intensive Care Burn Unit. He had second and third degree burns on 45% of his body and was undergoing several skin grafts.

Marshal, known around the mine as "Hutch", is a scoop operator at Jim Walter Resource’s No. 4 mine. He has worked for JWR for 24 years with 18 of those years have been spent as a mine rescue team member. His primary position on No. 4 Mine's Rescue Team is Benchman, which is responsible for maintaining the breathing apparatuses used by the team members.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) issued a number of best practices that workers should follow to ensure oxygen safety.

Miners should follow all manufacturer's instructions in operating and maintaining oxygen pumps to fill SCBA bottles and operators need to be trained and aware of safe handling procedures pertaining to oxygen systems.

Ensure that re-filling stations and maintenance areas are in a locked, air-conditioned room that is clean and free of dirt, oils, and grease and that signs are posted stating- "Oxygen, no smoking, no open flames".

MSHA advised filling operations should never be conducted alone and a second person and a portable fire extinguisher should be immediately available during the filling process. All oxygen valves should be opened slowly to prevent the oxygen from heating and the valves should be positioned away from the operator.

The cleanliness of oxygen systems is critical for their safe operation. Small combustible particles and oils could provide a fuel source for a fire and explosion if they enter a compressed oxygen system. All components and materials used in the system must be suitable for oxygen service and aluminium components should be avoided.

“If you are presently using high pressure oxygen regulators which contain any aluminium exposed to high-pressure oxygen, replace them with regulators made of brass. Designate special tools, clean them and store them for use with oxygen equipment only.

Always wear gloves when working on oxygen hardware as it keeps the oil from hands off the parts. Keep dust covers over any unused inlets and outlets to keep any foreign material from entering the system.