Workplace Hazards and Burn Injuries:

A serious burn injury can possibly be the worst type of workplace injury. They are not only very painful but can have a very long rehabilitation.

The American Burn Institute reports that 500,000 burn injuries require medical treatment annually. Of these injuries 40,000 must be hospitalized and close to 4,000 victims die.

Some Interesting Facts;

     70% of patients are male:

     46% are caused by fire and flame:

     32% are caused by scalding:

     57% are workplace injuries:

     33% of victims received burns over 10% of their body:

These are startling numbers. You can see that everyone should be aware of the dangers in the workplace and have a prevention program in place.

Most common types of burns:

1. Mechanical burn injuries caused by friction such as from ropes.
2. Electrical burn injuries caused when an electric current passes through the body. The current is converted to heat damaging anything in its path from entry to exit.
3. Electro thermal flash injuries occur from the flash from arcing. 
4. Chemical burn injuries can be caused by exposure to a number of chemicals and items used in the workplace. Batteries, cleaners, rust removers, bleaches and solvents.
5. Thermal injuries caused by exposure to heat in a number of ways from bad sunburn to coming in direct contact with hot objects or flame.

Steps to prevent burns in the workplace:

1. Wear PPE (personal protective equipment) on the job where needed such as gloves, protective sleeves, safety glasses, goggles and face shields.
2. Keep open flames and sparks away for combustible materials and chemicals.
3. Store all combustibles in a safe location.
4. Maintain all equipment to prevent fires and electrical exposure.
5. Avoid working around exposed electrical hazards.
6. Use caution when working with chemicals, understand the risks of working with each one, use the proper PPE and keep the MSDS sheets readily available.
7. Practice good housekeeping. A likely place for fires to start is scattered debris.

Prevention is always the first defense in avoiding workplace injuries however, when they occur has a good stock of first aid supplies, bandages, burn relief gels and burn pads on hand in your first aid kits.

For more information please call 866-362-2691 or e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit our website at www.westernfirstaid.com