Feeling the Burn: How To Treat Major and Minor Burns in the Workplace

10/30/2021 (Permalink)

Knowing basic burn first aid can help the healing begin.

How To Treat Major and Minor Burns in the Workplace

Fire damage in commercial buildings is not always the result of flames that rage when no one is present. A fire could break out at your business in Clear Lake, TX, even when workers are there. If this happens, it is likely that someone or several people may require burn first aid. Knowing what to do in such a situation can get them on the road to recovery faster and may even save their lives.

Minor Burns

Ideally, most of the burns sustained by employees during a fire are minor. Minor burns have several symptoms:

• Blisters
  
• Pain
  
• Change in skin color that looks like a sunburn
  
• Small coverage area
  
  

Minor burns do not require emergency care but simply basic first aid. As with a sunburn, you want to cool the affected skin and apply a soothing lotion. Bandage the burn to keep it clean, and it should heal on its own.

Major Burns

A major burn, however, is a side effect of fire damage that requires medical care. There are several ways to know if someone’s burn is more serious:

• Change in texture of skin, causing it to appear extra dry
  
• Evidence of charring, such as white or black patches
  
• Diameter larger than three inches
  
• Located on a sensitive area of the body, such as the face, groin or major joint
  
  

The first thing you do when you discover someone at your workplace has a major burn is call 911. While you are waiting for the EMTs to arrive, keep an eye on the victim. Watch for signs of shock or respiratory distress. Keep the burned area covered, and make sure the victim is out of danger.

If workers are present when flames cause fire damage on a commercial property, the people are the first priority. Calling emergency personnel for major burns trumps calling your insurance company or fire remediation specialists. Knowing basic burn first aid can help the healing begin.