PSA: Dremel spark from a grinder near a water heater almost cost me my eyebrows

Was working on a boiler swap at an old school in Toledo last Friday. The tank had this stupid rusted bracket right up against the gas line. Told the apprentice to hit it with the cutoff wheel while I was checking the flue. Next thing I hear is this pop and a flash. He was standing in a puddle from the water heater drain I forgot to cap. Lucky nobody got hurt but my hair still smells like burnt plastic. How do you guys handle wet floors when you gotta grind near them?

2 comments

2 Comments

norag551mo ago

Wait, @adam_anderson6, a cutoff wheel on a grinder made that spark?

adam_anderson61mo ago

Actually, it wasn't a Dremel but a cutoff wheel on a grinder. Big difference in spark output.