We work on exposed roofs, in the summer months with hot materials. It's a good bet that some of you have been burned or seen a coworker burned. Burns from asphalt or coal tar pitch are painful and some times disfiguring. The hot materials we work with every day will stick to anything and burn anybody. The material continues to burn until it cools. The burns are very painful and difficult to clean.
One way to help prevent burns is to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment. These include over the ankle construction boots, long cuffless paints that come over the tops of the boots and long sleeved shirts which button over the cuffs of the gloves. Cotton gloves work but leather provides better protection. Never wear rubber gloves for hot materials. Eye protection is very important. Wear safety glasses or goggles and the kettle man should wear a face shield attached to a hard hat over the glasses.
Other ways to help prevent burns are following work procedures which help prevent spilling and spattering hot asphalt. Keep kettles and luggers free from moisture so the hot asphalt will not spatter.