Depending on your role, you’ll be exposed to different safety risks every day. Both staff and employers should work hard to keep these risks to a minimum, but sometimes, accidents are just unavoidable.
One of the more common types of injuries suffered in the workplace is burns. Outlined below are some of the more common types of work-related burn injuries.
Thermal burns
You may be exposed to various heat sources at your work. Even if this isn’t the case, fires can break out in different ways. Any hot material that comes into contact with your skin can cause a thermal burn. The treatment and recovery time for thermal burns really depends on the degree of the injury. In severe cases, workers may require surgery to repair any damage and an extended period of absence to recover.
Electrical burns
There are few workplaces without flowing electricity. Usually, electricity makes tasks much easier to complete. However, electricity can also be dangerous in itself. If you’re working in the presence of an exposed wire, then not only might you be electrocuted, you could suffer severe electrical burns. Any faulty piece of electrical equipment or inappropriate use of electrical tools can cause nasty burns.
Chemical burns
Depending on your job role, you may utilize various cleaning products and chemical materials. The majority of these probably have warnings that they should not come into contact with the skin, and this is for a reason. Chemical burns can be as serious as burns that come from a heat source or electrical current. If there has been a spillage and acid or another chemical has touched your skin, it’s vital that you seek urgent medical treatment to stem the potential damage.
Your workplace should be as safe and accessible as possible. In the unfortunate event that you have been injured on the job, make sure you explore your options in terms of workers’ compensation.