Burn Awareness
EHS February 2023: How to prevent burns
This month the EHS focus article is on burns. February 5-11 is national burn awareness week. It is meant to raise awareness of burn prevention methods in the workplace and at home.
Burns can happen at work or home. Some are the result of hot liquids, chemicals, electrical or fires. Most fire related injuries are burns. In fact, every 60 seconds someone in the US sustains a burn injury serious enough to require treatment.
Burns in the science lab
On the Kent State campus, there are risks of burns from chemical substances in labs as well as hot surfaces in the food preparation areas and other areas on campus.
Heat Burns in the lab
Handling hot items hastily without the proper tools can result in serious burns. Properly use tongs, water baths, and other cooling equipment, and never touch hot surfaces with a bare hand.
Chemical Burns in the lab
Protective gloves are essential when handling chemicals. Treat chemicals with respect and caution.
Burns in the Kitchen
If you cook often, you’ve probably been burned once or twice in your own kitchen. Now, imagine working in a kitchen where the pots are bigger, the heat is stronger and the pressure is higher. It’s easy to see why food service workers are at high risk for burns. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6,910 workers in the accommodation and food services industry lost time from work in 2017 due to burns caused by heat.
Common causes of burns in professional kitchens
Food service employees can get burned in a number of ways, including:
-
Spilling hot water or hot oil on the skin
-
Being engulfed by burning-hot steam
-
Slipping and falling while carrying something hot
-
Pulling a hot item out of the microwave without the proper protective equipment or lifting its lid too soon
-
Touching a hot oven rack
How can kitchen workers prevent burns?
Follow these tips to prevent burns in restaurant and other kitchen environments:
-
Use personal protective equipment, including forearm protection
-
Use two people to handle awkward pans
-
Use a cart to move hot objects
-
Pay close attention to the task at hand
-
When working with fryers, fill baskets no more than halfway, shake off excess ice crystals before placing fryer baskets in hot oil and follow directions when adding or disposing of fat or oil
-
Use caution when preparing hot drinks or using machines that dispense hot liquids, keeping your hands out of the areas where liquids are dispensed
-
Never use a wet towel as a potholder
-
Clean up spills immediately and wear slip-resistant shoes to prevent slips and falls
Electrical burns
Flipping a light switch. Plugging in a coffeemaker. Charging a laptop computer. These are second nature for most of us. Electricity makes our lives easier. However, we need to be cautious and keep safety in mind. Flipping a light switch. Plugging in a coffeemaker. Charging a laptop computer. These are second nature for most of us. Electricity makes our lives easier. However, we need to be cautious and keep safety in mind to prevent electrical burns and electrocution.
-
Have all electrical work done by a qualified electrician.
-
Only use one heat-producing appliance (such as a coffee maker, toaster, space heater, etc.) plugged into a receptacle outlet at a time.
-
Major appliances (refrigerators, dryers, washers, stoves, air conditioners, microwave ovens, etc.) should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Extension cords and plug strips should not be used.
-
Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to reduce the risk of shock. GFCIs shut off an electrical circuit when it shock hazard. They should be installed inside the home in bathrooms, kitchens, garages and basements. All outdoorreceptacles should be GFCI protected.
-
Test AFCIs and GFCIs once a month according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
-
You do not need a flame to start a fire. Fires can start when heat builds up near things that burn. This can happen when a hot light bulb is near things that burn, such as cloth or paper, or a cord has been placed under a carpet.
-
Check electrical cords to make sure they are not running across doorways or under carpets. Extension cords are intended for temporary use. Have a qualified electrician add more receptacle outlets so you don’t have to use extension cords.
-
Use a light bulb with the right number of watts. There should be a sticker that indicates the right number of watts.
Preventing Burns at Home
At home, there are many dangers and risks for burns. Some ways to avoid burns at home are:
Avoid hot spills
Always keep hot solids and liquids away from table edges and use safety cloths while handling such items — this applies to harsh chemicals.
Prepare for emergencies
Perform fire drills and make sure there are easily-accessible exits in case of an emergency.
Inspect danger zones
Carry out routine inspections of areas such as chimneys, fireplaces, and electrical connections to prevent mishaps.
Throw away damaged appliances
Always discard appliances with frayed wires and faulty connections, and cover all electrical outlets to prevent children from touching them.
Fire alarms
Install a fire alarm in your office or home.
Treatment for Burns
General first aid for burns and scalds:
Treat a burn right away by putting it in cool water. Cool the burn for three to five minutes.Cover burn with a clean, dry cloth. Do not apply creams, ointments, sprays or other home remedies. Remove all clothing, jewelry and metal from the burned area. These can hide underlying burns and retain heat, which can increase skin damage.
Seek Medical Attention
Source