Basic First Aid for Workplace Burns

10/12/2021 (Permalink)

First aid training - Burn Injury

Workplace Burns: Basic First Aid

When fire accidents happen around the workplace in New Richmond, WI, it isn’t only fire damage to your property you need to worry about. To improve safety conditions, all employees should understand basic burn first aid. Minor burns can be managed on site, but more serious burns need to be treated by a doctor. If a burn meets any of the following criteria, call for emergency help right away.

• Appears charred
  
• Has white, brown or black patches
  
• Is larger than three inches across
  
• Covers hands, face, feet, buttocks, groin or joints
  
• Is deep
  
  

Treating Minor Burns

If fire damage to the skin affects a small area and appears red or blistered, it’s probably minor enough to treat on-site. First, run the burn under cool water or hold cool, wet compresses against it to reduce the pain. If there is any jewelry in the burned area it should be removed, because burns can swell and cause jewelry to become painfully tight. A burn lotion, such as aloe vera, can be applied and a dry gauze bandage wrapped loosely around the area. Try not to break any blisters, as these protect the burned skin from infection. If a blister does break, gently clean it and cover the area with gauze.

Handling Major Burns Until Help Arrives

If an employee sustains major burns, there are things you can do to treat the burn until emergency services arrive. The most important thing is to get the injured person away from the heat source and to check to see if they are breathing. If not, begin resuscitative breathing immediately. The following actions can prevent further harm until trained medical personnel can take over.

• Remove restrictive items, such as jewelry and belts, from the burned area
  
• Cover the burn with cool, damp cloth
  
• Elevate the burned area
  
• Treat for shock by lying the person down, elevating their feet and keeping them warm
  
  

While fire damage to property should only be handled by a professional fire remediation company in New Richmond, WI, every worker should be trained in basic first aid for burns. Addressing a wound right away can make a big difference in the healing process.