Safety hazards exist at every industrial manufacturing facility in Colorado and other states. Every company owner must take all the necessary steps to ensure workplace safety, and also provide safety training to inform workers of potentially hazardous areas of work. Appropriate personal protective equipment must be provided to all workers, regardless of their level of experience. A workplace injury can cause havoc in the lives of workers and their families.
A 74-year-old man recently suffered second-degree burn injuries to his hands and arms when a furnace at an industrial manufacturer in another state exploded. It was reported that the explosion occurred in the early morning of a recent Monday, soon after the furnace was fired up. According to the police who responded to the emergency call, the lighting of a heat treating furnace is particularly dangerous as it involves gas, fire and extreme heat.
The injured worker was treated at a hospital, and further details about his condition were not available. Emergency crews said the blast resulted in a window of the building being blown out. The cause of the explosion of the furnace, which is used for the hardening and strengthening of steel, is yet to be determined. It is not known whether the worker was wearing any gear to protect him against the dangers of the furnace.
Colorado workers who suffer burn injuries may need long-term medical treatment. Severe burn injuries can require skin grafts and other costly procedures. Fortunately, any worker who has suffered a workplace injury may pursue compensation through the workers’ compensation insurance program. Benefits claims may be filed and typically provides workers with financial assistance to make up for lost wages along with coverage of medical expenses.
Source: detroitnews.com, “1 injured in Warren industrial explosion“, Holly Fournier, Jan. 4, 2016