Safety First: How to Prevent Burn Injuries in the Workplace

Burn injuries are extremely painful. Treatment for burns can be costly, and a physical handicap can be detrimental for the injured party. What can a company do to keep its workers safe? Is there anything that employees can do to protect themselves in the event of an accident?

Five Ways to Prevent Burn Injuries at Work

Business owners and employees ought to learn the rules and promote a work culture that puts safety first. Employees should be aware of the dangers involved in their work and how to identify them. They should also fully understand the specifics of their job function and any dangerous chemicals or other safety hazards that are particular to their position.

Adequate Training

The most effective way to prevent burn injuries in the workplace is to ensure proper training. The Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) has safety regulations in place to protect business owners and employees from burn injuries in the workplace.

Employers can implement ongoing training programs to keep safety precautions and expectations fresh and relevant. Refresher courses will keep employees from developing bad work habits or becoming complacent. In addition, there may be changes to a company’s safety procedures, guidelines, or other important protocols over time. If there is a certificate training course available in your industry, it might be beneficial to enroll.

Communication

All dangerous equipment should be properly labeled. Indiana state law requires particular color codes, posters, labels, and signs to be associated with different hazards. Employers should have working knowledge of these labels and should be able to effectively communicate these precautions in the workplace. Hazard communication plans should be in place for workplaces that work around hazardous chemicals, and the NFPA fire diamond should be displayed on containers holding flammable chemicals.

Diligence

It always pays to be careful. Workers should exercise reasonable caution no matter what they’re doing, especially if there’s a safety hazard. Employees should be careful when handling hot liquids or when working with hot surfaces. Equipment should be used wisely, and chemicals should be handled with appropriate respect and caution. Everyone should be alert and fully prepared for their duties at all times. A shortcut or distraction isn’t worth injury or loss of life.

Education and Supervision

All employees should be properly equipped to handle their job. Managers should ensure that proper gloves, shoes, and eye protection are worn in dangerous areas. They should also be sure that dangerous work environments are appropriately staffed and supervised.

On-Site Emergency Preparation

The state of Indiana requires that all indoor workplaces—no matter the industry—must have at least two escape routes in the event of a fire. These two emergency exits should be fairly far apart from each other, clearly marked, and unobstructed. This measure leaves at least one emergency exit if the other is blocked off in the event of a fire.

Portable fire extinguishers should always be available and regularly monitored, as should an automatic fire suppression system. These should be tested, working, and, if they pose a potential health hazard (like carbon dioxide or Halon 1211 fire suppression systems), they must have proper warning labels as well.

First-aid kits should also be accessible. Additionally, if company employees are frequently handling dangerous chemicals, emergency eyewash stations should be installed nearby and clearly marked.

Contact a Workplace Injury Attorney Today

If there is a burn injury in your workplace, even when all safety precautions have been implemented, it may be beneficial to consult an attorney.

Contact the Indianapolis Workplace Injury Attorneys of Wilson Kehoe Winingham. The lawyers at WKW can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call 317.920.6400 or fill out an online contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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