Burns and Scalding in the Work Place

Published: 19th October 2017

When we think of injuries in the work place we tend to imagine slips, trips and falls, or possibly larger scale incidents. It makes sense, as these tend to make up the majority of work place injuries. However, there is one form of injury that is surprisingly common, and often just as debilitating.

Burns and scalding are common in the work place, especially in industrial sectors, where people are in close contact with electricity or steam.

There is a profound difference between burns and scalds, namely the source of the injury. Burns are caused by dry sources, such as fire, whereas scalds are caused by wet sources, such as steam and water vapour.

Also, burns are not necessarily caused by heat. Extreme cold, electricity and friction are other common sources of burn injuries. Burns and scalds are also split into four categories, depending on severity, 1 being the least severe and 4 being the most severe.

In a recent case two companies were fined £80,000 and £400,000 after a sub-contractor suffered severe burns to his arms, hands and face following a work place incident. Newcastle Crown Court, following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), confirmed that neither company had taken the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the worker. As a consequence he accidently severed a live power cable.

So, can you make a claim? When you instruct a solicitor to act on your behalf the first thing they will do is ascertain whether your employer has been negligent, and if this negligence is the direct cause of the incident. In the above example it was a clear-cut case of negligence.

On a similar vein, if your employer has failed to provide you with the correct PPE, or safety equipment, and you have suffered because of this, then you may have grounds for a case based on omission.

If you feel you have suffered due to negligence, whether it is burns, scalds, or any other type of injury, then call Liddy’s today. All our solicitors are experienced and approachable, and will advise you on what we think the best course of action is. Call us now on 01226 731 314.