Thermal hazards

Accidents with cold and hot media normally have acute effects which are enduring for those affected. Apart from the high direct pain impact, the consequences are injuries involving wounds that are difficult to heal, the danger of infection and scarring. Secondary damage such as falling and impact accidents can also be caused by the shock reaction on contact.

On machines, devices, tools and installations, it must be expected that there will be the technology-related occurrence of

• very cold and hot surfaces (for example on annealing furnaces, cooker rings, boiler systems and dry ice),
• media (for example molten metal, boiling water or fat, refrigerant) and
• emissions (for example hot steam).

In all cases a direct skin contact with or the inhalation of such media can lead to acute damage due to local freezing or burning/scalding of the skin.

In the design of work, measures must be taken which prevent such occurrence or, if this is not possible, direct contact with cold or hot surfaces or emissions.

Further information is only available in German.