Burn Injury Claim *
There are many situations at the workplace in which employees are at risk of chemical burns.
This post will give you information about chemical burns and a burn injury claim*.
General burn safety is a critical element of safety at the workplace and should be keenly taken into consideration by employers.
Workplace chemical burns happen when the skin or eyes come into contact with strong acids or other corrosive substances.
Common Chemical Burn Injuries
Most chemical burns are caused by acids and bases and can happen at work or any place where chemicals are handled. Some common products that cause chemical burns include:
- Ammonia
- Car battery acid
- Bleach
- Pool chlorination products
The seriousness of chemical burn injuries depends on how the burn occurred. A chemical burn that occurs on the skin may cause different symptoms from a chemical that is swallowed. The symptoms generally associated with chemical burns include:
- Dead or blackened skin especially in acidic chemical burns
- Redness and irritation in the affected area
- Pain or numbness in the affected area
- Loss of vision or poor vision in case chemicals come into contact with the eyes
Chemical burns which injure only the top layer of skin are classified as superficial burns or first-degree burns. Those that injure the skin’s second layer are referred to as dermal injuries or second-degree burns. Injuries on the third layer of skin caused by chemical burns are known as full thickness injuries or third-degree burns.
Duties of an Employer
Employers have several duties in preventing their employees from chemical burn injuries. Such duties include:
- Provision of appropriate training to new employees on handling of chemical hazards at the workplace
- Provision of continued training to all employees on a regular basis to refresh their knowledge on how to avoid chemical burns
- Clear communication of where dangerous chemicals are kept through labels, signs or placards
- Provision of personal protective equipment for handling hazardous chemicals. Such equipment includes goggles, gloves, full face masks and bodysuits
The duties of an employer in the prevention of chemical burns at the workplace are legal requirements. Failure by your employer to comply with the requirements can negligently result in chemical burns. Commencing a chemical burn accident claim after such an occurrence is a legal right of an injured party for an accident caused by another parties negligence.
Prevention of Chemical Burns at the Workplace
Employers should review the potential for chemical burn injuries at the workplace and implement effective control measures. Here are some measures through which chemical burns can be avoided:
- Storing and handling chemicals correctly according to the provided instructions
- Reading the safety data sheets (SDS) and labels of chemicals before handling them
- Wearing all the appropriate personal protective equipment when handling hazardous chemicals
- Knowing the location of the nearest eye-wash station or first aid kit before beginning any job that involves hazardous chemicals
- Knowing beforehand which type of chemicals to use and being aware of the precautions to take to avoid a chemical burn
Protection against Chemical Burn Injuries
Accidents as a result of negligence are a significant cause of chemical burns which can be prevented if employees are adequately protected. Chemical personal protective equipment and suits should be crack poof, anti-abrasive and puncture-resistant. They should be generally resistant to penetration of hazardous material in order to provide maximum protection against chemical burns.
For people working with their hands exposed to chemicals, they are entitled to work with machinery free from defects and risks that exist in a workplace should be assessed by an employer and addressed. Appropriate gloves should be provided and used.
Any gas pump/trigger, for example, should be free from defects and not expose a person to the risk of injury. Risk assessments at work should be done, and the maintenance or repairs should follow a problem identified.
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
These are documents that provide information concerning occupational safety and health on using various products and substances. The chemical manufacturer or distributor is required to provide safety data sheets for every hazardous chemical. The information contained in the SDSs includes:
- Health, physical and environmental hazards
- Protective measures
- Transport precautions
- Safety precautions for handling and storage
The language used in the SDSs should be understandable to the users of the chemicals. The information therein is usually divided into various sections that bear vital details concerning the chemical. Such sections include the following:
Identification
The identification section introduces the chemical along with its intended and recommended uses. The contact information of the supplier is also provided in this section.
Hazard Identification
The hazards of the particular chemical are presented in this section and appropriate warnings are provided concerning the hazards.
Composed Ingredients
The ingredients contained in the chemical are identified in this section including the stabilizing additives and impurities.
First-Aid measures
Appropriate initial care that should be provided by an untrained responder on exposure to the chemical is provided in this section.
Frequently Asked Questions – Burn Injury Claim*
Can you claim for a burn injury at work?
If you have been injured as a result of the actions of someone else, you will have suffered what is termed a Tort, which is a civil wrong, which means you will have a right to seek a legal remedy for this wrong.
If the accident arose due to an unsafe system or practice at work, it would be helpful to obtain a view on negligence & liability from a solicitor.
Can you make a case for first degree burns?
The answer is the same as in the paragraph above.
Case Assessment Advice
If you are suffering from a chemical burn accident at work, you can contact us by telephone or email and we will have an initial meeting with you to explore the facts and furnish a case opinion to you.
8(b) “In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement”.
Disclaimer for this Burn Injury Claim* Article
Please be advised that the above-mentioned material is intended as an overview and as a broad outline of the topic discussed. It should not be considered as complete and comprehensive legal advice, nor act as an appropriate substitute.
Due care has been taken in the publication of this article and we do not accept legal liability as a result of reliance on any material covered in the above article.
Personal Injuries * In contentious business, a Solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.
