Severe burns can take a tremendous toll on a person’s health, physically and emotionally. Seeking workers’ compensation or personal injury damages if these injuries occurred on the job can be critical, particularly because they can result in permanent injuries, ongoing medical care and the inability to work.
Unfortunately, some workers are at a higher risk of suffering burns because of what they do or where they work.
Occupations with higher burn risks
Any job that requires people to work in the sun, with chemicals, or around flames and electricity has some amount of risk when it comes to getting burned. However, according to statistics, the jobs that see the highest number of occupational burns include:
- Food and accommodation services
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing
- Construction
Each year, tens of thousands of workers in these and related industries suffer burns. Scalding burns are the most common in accommodation and food services; thermal burns were the most prevalent in manufacturing; most burns affecting construction workers were radiation injuries.
Additionally, it is the youngest workers who are most at risk of non-fatal burn injuries, especially when they work in food service.
Types of injuries
Burns result in a wide range of injuries, depending on the degree and source of the burn. Some common symptoms people experience after an accident include:
- Pain
- Scarring
- Nerve damage
- Organ damage
- Bruising and blistering
- Vision changes if they affect a person’s eyes
- Skin discoloration
- Damage to tendons, bones and muscles
If a burn is minor, first aid can typically suffice when it comes to treatment. However, severe burns can require surgery, skin grafts and ongoing medical care. A person may be unable to work or return to their normal lifestyle because of pain, impaired mobility and the emotional distress of a traumatic injury.
Staying safe at work
If you are in an occupation with a high risk of burn accidents, protective measures are vital. These measures include wearing protective gear, repairing broken or defective machines and following safe handling protocols.
Unfortunately, these precautions may not be enough to keep workers safe, and burns can happen, particularly in the industries mentioned above. If they do, victims may be eligible for financial damages to help them recover.
