JENKINTOWN PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

Your hand started itching while you were working, but you didn’t think it was anything to worry about. By the time you left for the day, it was a little red. At 3:00 a.m., you woke up in severe pain. Your hand was covered in blisters. You went to the emergency room and learned that you were suffering from a chemical burn. It was caused by a cleaner used in your workplace.

The first week of February is National Burn Awareness Week.  This week, the on-the-job injury attorneys at Mednick, Mezyk & Kredo, P.C., will post information about burn prevention in the Pennsylvania workplace.

Chemical burns are the second leading cause of workplace burns and account for 16 percent of on-the-job burn injuries. This percentage is too high. Almost all chemical burns can be prevented by following safety rules and using the appropriate safety equipment, including apparel, gloves, goggles, and masks.

Unfortunately, many employers don’t provide the training and equipment that workers need to handle chemicals safely. Here’s what you need to know in order to protect yourself from chemical burns in the Pennsylvania workplace.

1. Know which chemicals are used in your workplace. Remember that hazardous chemicals may be found in cleaners, building supplies, detergents, and fertilizers. You should also know the concentration of the chemical. A highly concentrated chemical is more dangerous than a diluted chemical.
2. Be familiar with the MSDS for the chemicals in your workplace. Every Pennsylvania workplace is required to provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for every dangerous chemical used at the worksite. The MSDS will list the dangers associated with each chemical and precautions that workers should take to ensure their safety.
3. Wear protective gloves, safety glasses and apparel every time you work with a hazardous chemical. Make sure the safety gear provides the appropriate level of protection for the substances you work with.

• Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl) – PVC and vinyl protect against strong acids and strong bases. Thick PVC gloves may also protect against cuts and abrasion.
• Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) – PVA gloves and gear are resistant to many organic chemicals, including chlorinated solvents and aromatic compounds. However PVA is not effective against many commonly used acids and bases.
• Neoprenw – Disposable neoprene safety gear offer protection from nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and other common oxidizing agents.
• Sealed-Film (Laminate) – This material is extremely chemical-resistant, but offers little physical protection. These gloves are best used as liners under heavier gloves.

4. Be prepared. Know the locations of the emergency showers in your workplace. Know what treatment and antidotes are available if you suffer a chemical burn.
5. Treat every chemical burn as serious. Chemical burns can cause severe pain, disfigurement, long-term disability, and even death. Get immediate treatment. The longer the chemical remain on the skin, the more likely that the burn will become a serious injury.
6. Get medical treatment. Showers can dilute the chemical, but they are not a substitute for medical care. Many chemicals continue to burn until they are stopped with a neutralizing agent. You may also need antibiotics to prevent infection.

Employees who suffer chemical burns are entitled to PA Workers’ Compensation, even if the employee was partially at fault for the injury. To learn more about your rights after an on-the-job injury, request a free copy of attorney Brian Kredo’s book, Your Guide To PA Workers’ Compensation. To get your complimentary copy fill out the online request form, or call Mednick, Mezyk & Kredo, P.C., at 888-807-WORK (9675).