Some occupations put workers at higher risk for personal injury than from burns. Especially in the construction and restaurant industries. Within the restaurant industry alone each year there are nearly 12,000 cases of hospitalizations for burns. Cooks, food handlers, kitchen workers and waitresses are among the top 50 occupations at risk for burn injuries in their workplace. Serious chemical burns and electrical burns are common occurrences in the construction industry. Don’t overlook the minor burns you might receive while on the job “as part of the job.”
Here are some facts to keep in mind if you are a worker at risk for a burn injury:
DID YOU KNOW…
● Most people hospitalized for contact burns in their workplace are involved in food preparation.
● Teenagers who work in fast food restaurants as fry cooks are at particular risk for burn injuries. During busy periods, inexperience, and the pressure to “keep up” can lead to burn injuries.
● In frying, the hot oil can reach temperatures of 300° to 500° F, making this task a high potential risk of burns and personal injury.
Burns usually happen when:
● Workplace management has not enforced safety standards
● Workers or employers ignore safety rules
● Shortcuts are taken, or workers are pressured for time,
● People become too familiar with their jobs and take unnecessary risks.
● Workers are sick, tired, or engaged in drugs or alcohol, making them unable to concentrate.
WORKPLACE BURN INJURIES RESULT FROM CONTACT WITH:
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● Hot liquids and steam
● Hot oil and fat
● Hot substances, such as food or sauces
● Hot surfaces – stovetops, grills, ovens
● Fires due to hot oil or grease
● Exposed electrical cables or electrical appliances or installations with improper maintenance.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF
● Wear protective gloves when handling hot pots or when cooking with hot frying oil.
● Wear shoes with slip-resistant soles to prevent slipping on wet or greasy tile floors.
● Extinguish hot oil/grease fire by sliding a lid over the top of the container. · Never carry or move a container with oil when it is hot or on fire.
● Avoid reaching over or through hot surfaces and burners. Use protections to avoid contact with hot surfaces.
● Read and follow the instructions for the correct use of electrical devices
