Burn injuries are a serious and commonplace workplace risk in municipal environments, where staff regularly encounter heat sources, energized equipment, chemicals and industrial processes. Every year in the first week of February, National Burn Awareness Week provides an opportunity for municipal leaders to focus on these dangers and protect the employees serving the community every day.
Municipal employees face burn hazards in a variety of operational settings. Public works crews work with hot surfaces, heated equipment, steam, open flames, welding operations and asphalt work. Utility and electrical workers are exposed to energized systems and arc-flash hazards. Wastewater and water treatment workers handle chemicals and pressurized systems. Parks and recreation staff maintain grills, concession equipment and fuel-powered machinery. Even building maintenance teams face risks from boilers, water heaters and electrical panels.
All of these hazards are a part of everyday operations, which is why prevention needs to be built into everyday procedures to be effective — not just treated as an afterthought.
Train to prevent burns
Municipal leadership plays a direct role in reducing these risks. When leaders clearly prioritize safety through policies, training and accountability, employees are more likely to follow safe practices. National Burn Awareness Week offers an ideal time for supervisors to conduct safety refreshers that address heat-related hazards, electrical safety, chemical handling and proper use of personal protective equipment. Regular reinforcement can help strengthen good safety habits, and reduce the potential for complacency.
Training for high-risk tasks is a key area for emphasis. Hot work such as welding, torch cutting, chemical handling, electrical work and roadway repairs need to follow written procedures. Supervisors should work to enforce lockout/tagout procedures for electrical and mechanical work to prevent unexpected equipment energization.
Employees need training not only on how to perform tasks safely, but also on how to recognize early warning signs of equipment failure or unsafe conditions. Encouraging staff to report near-misses without fear of blame allows leadership to address hazards before serious injuries occur.
Don’t neglect maintenance and equipment
Ongoing maintenance of equipment and facilities is an equally critical precaution against burns. Burn injuries often occur not because the work taking place is inherently dangerous, but because equipment is outdated, damaged or improperly used.
Municipal leaders should ensure that departments have access to appropriate protective gear such as flame-resistant clothing, insulated gloves, face shields and first aid supplies specifically designed for burn treatment. Supervisors should make sure that fire extinguishers, emergency showers, eyewash stations and spill kits are kept accessible and receive regular inspections. Mechanical rooms, electrical panels and boiler areas should remain clear of storage or clutter that could contribute to fires or delay emergency response.
Study past experience
Data-driven safety management further strengthens prevention efforts. Leaders should review workers’ compensation claims and incident reports related to burn injuries or near-misses. Patterns can reveal gaps in training, supervision or equipment. When leadership uses real data to drive improvements, safety initiatives become targeted, effective and measurable.
Keep safety in focus
Ultimately, burn prevention in local government is about more than compliance. It is about protecting the people who maintain streets, deliver utilities, respond to emergencies and keep public facilities operational. When leaders invest in training, enforce standards and model safety-first behavior, they reduce injuries, control costs and preserve workforce stability. Strong leadership can save lives, prevents injuries and ensures that employees return home safely at the end of every shift.