Balloon
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Lighter-Than-Air
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15; Flight Crew Total 183.3; Flight Crew Type 183
Other / Unknown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Human Factors
During a balloon inflation a crew member was holding the mouth of the envelope. a. During the hot inflation; the crew person got his foot tangled in the ropes and reached down to free his foot. b. In doing so his arm was exposed to the flames. At the same time I (pilot) saw him reaching down to his foot and stopped the hot inflate.c. He had freed himself and said he was good.d. We finished inflating the balloon.e. I looked at his arm and at the time and it seemed fine but a little red. f. Throughout the evening; part of his arm developed small blisters which were brought to the attention of his father.  g. His father took him to emergency to have a look at it and it was classed as a second degree burn on part of his arm. In reviewing the problem; the young man had placed his foot on the envelope and had gotten tangled in the ropes as the inflation began. To avoid further incidents of this happening again; the procedure in how the envelope is to be held has been changed. These changes are:1. Instructed crew to not place the foot on the scoop or ropes of the envelope at any time. 2. Change the location the crew will stand during inflation.3. Pilot to instruct the crew when to let go of envelope.4. Provide a dry run rehearsal of the steps to be taken.
Balloon pilot reports injury; caused by the burner; to a crew member during a hot inflation.