Are you protected at work?
Employees walk into work every day trusting their workplace will keep them safe. They punch in, do their job and punch out. While most people walk away without incident…Hidden hazards at work pose injury dangers across every industry. Chemical hazards, electrical hazards and unchecked fire hazards…
It’s not safe.
Burns and smoke inhalation injuries are some of the most life-altering damages that can happen to a worker. These aren’t small cuts and bruises that heal in a few days. Serious burns and smoke inhalation can take months to recover from, leave permanent scars and cause long-lasting respiratory damage.
What’s worse…
Burns and smoke inhalation happen outside of warehouses, factories and on construction sites too. Office environments, restaurants and warehouses are just as likely to cause employee injury. Any place that has electricity, uses chemicals or potential heat sources.
Worker’s Compensation data from OSHA shows work-related fires and explosions cause over 5,000 burn injuries annually nationwide. Countless workers also face dangerous levels of smoke inhalation that goes unnoticed until it’s too late. Understanding your legal options after suffering burn damages or smoke inhalation at work is important. Filing a San Diego smoke inhalation injury claim allows victims to seek financial compensation for their troubles.
The best part? There are several things every employee can do to protect themselves legally and physically.
What You’ll Learn
- The Most Common Burn and Inhalation Dangers at Work
- Why Smoke Inhalation Is Particularly Dangerous
- How To Cover Your Own Back at Work
- Your Legal Rights When Injured At Work
- Next Steps After A Workplace Burn Incident
Common Burn and Inhalation Dangers at Work
While some workplace dangers are easy to spot, others are lurking under the surface. Toxic fumes, smoke and vapors can harm workers without them even realizing something is wrong.
Here are some of the most common dangers that lead to burn and smoke inhalation damages:
- Thermal burns – Caused by open flame, hot surfaces or steam. Thermal burns are the leading cause for burn hospital admissions.
- Chemical burns – Caused by coming into contact with acidic or alkali substances, liquids or industrial cleaning products. Chemical burns are very common in manufacturing work.
- Electrical burns – Result from faulty wiring, touching exposed circuits or malfunctioning equipment.
- Smoke and inhaling chemical fumes – Breathing in smoke from fires, welding operations and chemical leaks or spills.
New worker burn injuries have recently increased by nearly 67% over the last reporting period. In fact, employees with less than 1 year of experience are currently experiencing the highest burn risk at work.
Pretty scary stuff.
Smoke Inhalation Damages: Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Them
Here’s the thing…
Smoke inhalation injuries can often be much worse than the burn injury itself. Not only does smoke damage the respiratory tract as it’s inhaled… But it can continue to cause problems down the line.
Smoke inhalation can cause:
- Chronic coughing and respiratory illnesses
- Irreversible lung damage
- Damage to the brain from lack of oxygen
- Internal injuries that have delayed symptoms
What’s tricky about smoke inhalation damage is that symptoms don’t always present themselves immediately. A worker may feel fine after a burn incident but later develop serious complications from inhaled smoke. By the time a worker notices these injuries… It’s hard to prove where they were acquired.
That’s why taking steps to protect yourself at work will always be your best bet.
How To Cover Your Own Back At Work
Avoiding burn damages and smoke inhalation accidents comes down to prevention. Every employee should take safety into their own hands when working.
Employees can protect themselves by:
Knowing where fire exits and extinguishers are located. If asked, most employees won’t know where the nearest fire extinguisher is in their building. Take mental note when you walk by them each day.
Always wearing the proper safety equipment. Gloves, respiratory masks and heat/fire resistant gear are mandatory if you work with chemicals, electricity or extreme heat. Never skip wearing your PPE.
Reporting any hazards you come across. Broken machines, chemical leaks and poor ventilation are all dangers that should be reported ASAP. If no action is taken after reporting, escalate to a manager.
Plus, never skip safety training. Employers are legally obligated to train employees on proper safety protocols and equipment. If they aren’t providing this training, you have every right to ask.
Your Legal Rights After Getting Burned at Work
Before anything happens, every employee should know their rights at work.
If an employee gets burned or suffers smoke inhalation damages at work, they are entitled to workers compensation. Workers comp covers medical bills, lost wages during recovery and physical therapy/rehabilitation costs.
However…
In many burn injury cases, negligence comes into play. Hazard reports that were ignored, old or damaged safety equipment and poor ventilation could be considered negligent.
If negligence is found, employees can seek compensation for:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages and loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term care costs and physical therapy
Just remember, there are time limits for filing injury claims. Contact a lawyer immediately after your injury to ensure you don’t miss your state’s deadline.
Steps To Take After You Get Burned at Work
As mentioned above, time is of the essence. Employees that take the proper steps after a burn incident give themselves the best chance with their injury claim.
If you suffer burn injuries or smoke inhalation at work, make sure to:
Immediately seek medical attention. Even if you think your burns or inhalation injuries are minor, have a doctor take a look. Some smoke inhalation damages can be internal and not visible to the eye.
Report the injury to your supervisor. Ensure there’s a written record of the incident on file.
Document everything. Take pictures of the accident scene and any hazards you believe caused the accident. Get the names and contact info from any witnesses.
Save all medical records and documentation. After you’ve sought medical attention, make sure to keep records of all follow ups, treatments and visits.
Contact a workplace injury lawyer. Your lawyer will discuss your case and provide next steps.
Don’t let an employer talk you out of seeking legal help. Any promises should be in writing. Documentation is your best friend when dealing with workplace injury cases.
Wrapping Things Up: Avoiding Hidden Workplace Hazards
Burns and smoke inhalation injuries at work are far more common than most employees think. These types of injuries cause severe physical trauma, financial stress and mental trauma that impacts workers for years to come.
But workers have rights.
Employees can better protect themselves from hidden workplace hazards by knowing common dangers, wearing proper equipment and exercising their legal rights. When in doubt, always protect yourself first.
Remember…
- Know common burn and smoke inhalation hazards
- Office environments aren’t safe from injury
- Wear all necessary safety equipment and never skip training
- Report hazards ASAP and document everything in writing
- Know your rights under workers compensation laws
- Seek legal help if you were burned at work due to negligence
