Safe Spaces: Preventing Burns Where Life Happens
Each year, more than 450,000 people in the U.S. suffer serious burn injuries that require medical treatment, and the National Burn Association observes National Burn Awareness Week every February to raise awareness and promote prevention. This year’s theme, “Burn Prevention Where You Live, Work, and Play,” highlights the importance of staying safe in every environment. To support their efforts, we wanted to share common burn hazards that can occur at work and how to prevent them.
Burn Hazards at Work
Burns are one of the many safety hazards faced in the workplace, and there are three main types of burns that workers may encounter: sun exposure burns, arc flash burns, and flame burns.
Sun Exposure Burns: Sun exposure burns are caused by extended exposure to UV radiation, and symptoms of sunburns include redness, pain, swelling, and, in some cases, blistering and peeling. In extreme cases, however, sunburns lead to sun poisoning, which can result in severe pain and redness, fever and chills, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and several other more severe symptoms.
Arc Flash Burns: Arc flash burns are a type of electrical burn that does not occur by direct contact with electrical sources, but rather the electrical current passes through the air. These high-energy flashes can cause severe skin burns and, in some cases, even ignite clothing.
Flame Burns: Flame burns occur when the skin comes into direct contact with fire. These burns can damage not only the outer layers of skin but also the deeper tissues beneath and, in some cases, inhaling hot gases or smoke from a flame can also cause serious injury to the respiratory tract.
How to Mitigate Burn Hazards in the Workplace
When precision matters, polyurethane is a reliable choice. It’s light, flexible, and thin, giving workers the grip they need without getting in the way. PU-coated gloves allow for easy finger movement, which reduces strain and helps maintain speed and accuracy on detail-focused tasks.
Sun Protection: Two simple ways to protect your skin from sun exposure burns are applying sunscreen regularly and wearing UPF-rated clothing. Click here to read our previous article about the differences between SPF sunscreen and UPF rated clothing.
Establish Protocols for Burn Incidents: Establishing clear protocols for identifying hazards and responding to burn incidents plays a critical role in reducing the risk of injuries on job sites. When everyone knows what to look for and how to act, it creates a safer, more prepared work environment.
Wear the Right PPE: Wearing the right personal protective equipment (PPE) adds a vital layer of protection for workers in environments where burn hazards are present.
AR/FR-Rated Workwear: Our FR-rated workwear is designed to self-extinguish, helping to prevent flames from spreading if ignition occurs—adding a critical layer of protection. We also offer two types of category 4 arc flash-resistant gloves, crafted from premium goatskin. These gloves not only meet high safety standards but are also oil- and water-resistant, providing durability and comfort in demanding conditions.
Dielectric Safety Glasses: Dielectric safety glasses are specially designed without any metal or conductive materials, which means they won’t carry an electric current. This makes them a safe and reliable choice for electrical work or environments where exposure to live circuits is a concern.
Para-Aramid Lined Gloves: When working in environments that involve sharp materials, high heat, or demanding tasks like construction or automotive repair, gloves lined with para-aramid fibers are ideal. Our para-aramid lined gloves offer reliable protection against cuts, abrasions, and burns. Designed to withstand temperatures up to 482°F, these gloves help reduce the risk of injury while supporting comfort and dexterity on the job.
Prioritizing Burn Prevention
By taking intentional steps to prevent workplace burns, we all contribute to creating safer job sites for everyone. At Pyramex we recognize the importance of burn safety, not just this week, but every week. That’s why we proudly stand with the National Burn Association to raise awareness and promote protection for workers everywhere.
