The use and application of heat, or producing products through the use of heat, is very common in today’s industries. From food services to metal fabrication, heat and hot substances and surfaces can be found on just about every job site. And that means that workers are susceptible to burns or other types of heat-related injuries. With that in mind, here are some basic tips for preventing burn injuries while on the job.
One of the first steps to preventing burns is for management to make sure that workers are aware of the burn hazards that exist on the job site. It is also important that a comprehensive safety training program exists in order to adequately prepare employees to work in areas where there are burn hazards. Proper warning labels must be displayed in areas where hazards exist, and these labels should include pictures or drawings about the hazards that are easy to understand.
Workers can also be proactive to prevent burns. This includes wearing protective gloves whenever handling any potential hot items and wearing non-skid shoes that can prevent slipping. Workers should also never reach across or over a surface that is hot. The use of barriers and guards can also help prevent burn injuries.
Receiving a burn or any other industrial injury on the job usually means that immediate treatment by a medical professional is necessary. However, any Michigan worker who received a burn injury while on the job may want to speak with a work accident attorney after being treated in order to find out if there are legal avenues that should be explored. After all, the workers’ compensation system exists to help these victims ensure they have financial stability while they focus on their recovery and getting back to work.
Source: The Burn Foundation, “Prevention and Education“, accessed on Nov. 9, 2015
