February 25, 2026
Hot water scalds and chemical burns
As a service to our policyholders, Texas Mutual shares serious workplace injury trends based on catastrophic injuries and fatalities reported to our claims department. Not all of these reported injuries are covered by workers’ compensation insurance, but our goal is to help you ensure these types of incidents do not happen in your workplace. Find safety tips below to help keep your employees safe on the job.
If you have questions, we encourage you to contact us at 844-WORKSAFE (967-5723) or safety@texasmutual.com.
In this alert:
- Hot water scalds
- Chemical burns
Hot water scalds
In one incident, an employee was performing wastewater technician duties and attempted to cross an unguarded opening. They slipped and fell into boiling hot water, suffering severe burns over much of their body.
In a separate incident, an employee received burns to their arm and back when a co-worker carrying hot water was bumped, causing the water to spill.
These examples show how quickly accidents can escalate around heated liquids. Staying alert, using the right equipment and communicating with co-workers can help prevent burns.
- Wear gloves and splash aprons when working near hot water.
- Keep walkways dry, clear and secure near hot water sources.
- Transport hot liquids in sealed, approved containers and avoid crowded areas.
- Tell co-workers when hot water is present and maintain safe working distances.
- Follow written procedures for accessing or working near hot water, including hazard and emergency steps.
Chemical burns
An employee was trying to remove a tree stump and used paint solvent to help start a fire. While pouring the solvent, it splashed and ignited. The flames quickly spread to the employee, causing severe burn injuries.
In another incident, an employee was exposed to flames and intense heat when a sudden, unexpected chemical explosion occurred. This resulted in burn injuries to their hands and face.
These incidents show how fast fire can get out of control, especially when flammable materials are involved. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidance for handling chemicals and be aware of fire risks at work.
- Never use flammable liquids for tasks they aren’t made for.
- Always follow workplace procedures and permits for flammable materials.
- Keep all ignition sources away from flammable liquids and vapors.
- Wear fire-resistant personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
Get free safety resources
Texas Mutual policyholders have access to thousands of free training materials in our multimedia safety resource center, including our safety catalog with up-to-date resources.
To access the free materials, log in to your texasmutual.com account and select Safety. If you need help accessing safety resources or you have a safety question, call us toll-free at 844-WORKSAFE (967-5723).
Download a PDF (1.12 MB) version of the February Safety Alert.