Some of the most common types of workplace accidents include slips and falls, overexertion injuries and heavy machinery issues. However, burn injuries also represent a significant risk for workers in many industries.
You should know what type of burn injuries you may face at your job and what you can do if you are injured. Here are some of the basics:
Causes of burn injuries
Thermal or heat burns from flames, steam, boiling liquids or hot cooking oil are some of the most common causes of burn injuries. However, there are many other causes of burns, including the following:
- Chemical: Contact with strong acids, solvents or other chemicals.
- Radiation: Burns caused by sun exposure, tanning beds or X-rays.
- Electrical: Contact with high-voltage wiring or electrical currents.
- Friction: Burns caused by rough, abrasive surfaces, such as rope.
- Cold: Prolonged exposure to extreme cold temperatures, which can cause frostbite.
Depending on your line of work, you may be exposed to more than one source of burn injuries.
Severity of burn injuries
There are three main categories of burn injuries depending on the severity of the injury. These categories include the following:
- First-degree: Minor, artificial burns that only harm the outer layer of the skin, causing redness or slight pain.
- Second-degree: Burns that cause damage to the upper and second layer of skin, causing redness, blisters and possible scarring.
- Third-degree: Severe burns that harm several layers of skin, fat and muscle tissue, causing pain, disfigurement and nerve damage.
If you have been severely burned, you should seek medical care. You may need to seek legal guidance if you require medical care and lost income because of a workplace accident. If a burn accident happens at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.