How to care for burn wounds caused in the workplace: Dos and Don’ts

How to care for burn wounds caused in the workplace: Dos and Don’ts

• This is not medical advice always seek a medical professional when treating or looking to treat wounds.

Burns are an incredibly painful injury that can occur within the workplace. There are several occupations where burns are more of a risk including factory work, catering and manufacturing.

When a burn occurs, medical attention should be an immediate priority. Here are things to remember if you or a coworker experiences a burn.

Understanding different types of burns

Burns or scalds are caused by heat touching the skin. Burns are from a dry heat like fire or an iron whereas scalds are from wet heat such as steam or hot water. Both burns and scalds are treated in the same way.

Your skin is made up of three different layers and burns are classified by how much of the different layers is affected. First-degree burns are superficial with no blistering but some redness. An example of this would be sunburn.

Second-degree burns are slightly more serious as they affect the second layer of skin, causing swelling and blisters. Third-degree burns are the most serious as your skin is destroyed and there is a risk to the underlying muscles and bones.

Immediate actions for burn wounds

When a burn occurs, there are some steps you should take in the immediate aftermath.

1. Stop the burn from continuing. This could mean removing the person from the area or even putting out a fire.
2. Remove any clothing or jewellery that is near the burnt area. If a child has been injured this does include the nappy. If any clothing is stuck, however, do not pull it off.
3. Cool the area with lukewarm or cool running water. Avoid using ice or greasy products like butter.
4. Cover the burn with cling film to prevent oxygen from getting to the wound.  
5. If the burn is severe, immediately call 999 and seek ambulatory help.

What to avoid when treating burns

The use of greasy substances like butter is a bit of an old wives tale. Medical advice is that you avoid using it as it can cause heat to be retained which can increase the severity of the burn.

Blisters are a common side effect of burns. Avoid popping them as best as you can. Bursting them increases your risk of infection. Look out for pus coming from the burn, any further discolouration and a fever as these are all symptoms of an infection. If you do notice these symptoms seek medical advice urgently.

Long-term care and healing

As well as monitoring for signs of infection, you will need to practice wound care. If your burn requires a dressing, medical professionals will change it regularly and monitor its healing.