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McDonald’s employees have filed complaints with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 19 cities, claiming exposure to burn injuries. According to the complaints, workers are forced to empty burning grease traps without protective gear.
One complaint alleges that an employee was badly burned by a grease trap and told by a supervisor to apply mayo to the injury. Other complaints claim that understaffing and pressure to work too fast are contributing to the high level of burn injuries.
As a response to both complaints and reports of burn injuries, OSHA launched an investigation into the fast food chain. If McDonald’s is found in violation of safety regulations, OSHA can levy fines of up to $70,000 for each violation. Although the amount of money levied by such fines would be a drop in the bucket for a multi-billion dollar company, it could shed light on the dangerous conditions fast food employees are required to work in.
Recent surveys of fast food workers by the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health show that 79 percent of industry employees were burned on the job last year. Survey results also found that 51 percent of workers believed their employer could make work conditions safer and 33 percent claimed their managers suggested inappropriate, unsafe treatments for burns.
Can Fast Food Employees Injured in Work Accidents Apply for Workers Comp?
Employees who wish to file complaints against their employer for an unsafe working environment are protected against retaliation, no matter the occupation. Workers can also file for workers’ comp benefits to allow time for recovery.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC – Columbus Workers’ Comp Attorneys
Did You Know? According to the National Council For Occupational Safety, 36 percent of workers reported that their fast food employer did not have first aid kits for treating burns.