National Burn Awareness

While last week was National Burn Awareness Week (NBAW), it is important to always be aware of burn injuries and promote fire and heat safety.

Purpose and Focus

The week is sponsored by the American Burn Association (ABA) and provides an opportunity for safety educators to unite in sharing a common message of burn awareness and prevention.

• Primary Goal: To educate the public on preventing fires and burns, administering first aid for burns, and emphasizing practices to reduce the risk of burn-related accidents.
• Annual Theme: Each year, the ABA selects a specific theme to focus on a particular burn risk. For instance, the 2026 theme is focused on Preventing Burns in the Workplace, with the overall campaign slogan being, “Burn Prevention Where You Live, Work, and Play.”
• Significance: Burn injuries remain a major public health concern, with hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. seeking medical care for them every year. The majority of these injuries are preventable.

Key Workplace Burn Prevention Tips

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Enforce Usage: Employers must enforce the consistent use of appropriate PPE, especially in high-risk areas (e.g., labs, kitchens, manufacturing floors).
  • Flame-Resistant Clothing: Ensure workers exposed to flash fire, arc flash, or high heat wear flame-retardant or heat-resistant clothing (FRC).
  • Gloves and Shields: Provide and require the use of heat-resistant gloves, face shields, and safety goggles when handling hot objects, open flames, or chemicals.
• Chemical Safety
  • Hazard Communication (HazCom): Ensure all employees are trained on the Hazard Communication Standard (GHS/SDS) to understand the risks of chemicals they handle. Check out our online HazCom Training for more information.
  • Proper Storage: Store all flammable and corrosive chemicals in their original, clearly labeled, approved containers, away from heat sources and in well-ventilated areas.
  • Emergency Stations: Install and maintain clearly marked emergency showers and eyewash stations, and train employees on their immediate use in case of chemical contact.
• Electrical and Equipment Safety
  • Lockout/Tagout (LOTO): Strictly adhere to LOTO procedures when servicing or maintaining equipment to prevent accidental energization and electrical burns. Take our online LOTO Course to receive your certificate!
  • Wiring Inspection: Regularly inspect electrical cords, outlets, and equipment for damage (frayed wires, cracked insulation) and immediately remove defective items from service.
  • Load Limits: Avoid overloading electrical outlets or using extension cords as permanent wiring solutions. Only use one heat-producing appliance (like a space heater or coffee maker) per outlet.
• Hot Surfaces and Cook (Food Service/Industrial)
  • “Hot” Communication: Workers should announce verbally when carrying hot items or working near a hot surface (e.g., “Hot pot coming through!”).
  • Clear Zones: Maintain a clear, non-slip floor around stoves, fryers, and heat presses to prevent slips that can lead to scalding or contact burns.
  • Handle Safety: Turn pot handles inward on stoves and use proper, dry oven mitts or pot holders, as wet ones can transmit heat quickly.
• Emergency Preparedness
  • First Aid Training: Ensure key personnel are trained in basic first aid, specifically how to properly cool a burn with cool water for 3-5 minutes and cover it with a clean, dry cloth.
  • Fire/Evacuation Drills: Conduct regular, realistic fire and burn response drills so employees know the evacuation routes and the location of fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and emergency shut-offs.

These tips, combined with a strong, continuous Safety Culture where employees are encouraged to report hazards, form the foundation of the ABA’s workplace prevention message for 2026.