{"id":8659,"date":"2021-05-04T00:52:51","date_gmt":"2021-05-04T00:52:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prd-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=8659"},"modified":"2024-05-10T20:38:03","modified_gmt":"2024-05-10T20:38:03","slug":"assessing-minor-burns-in-the-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/assessing-minor-burns-in-the-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"Assessing minor burns in the workplace","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Burns are a common workplace injury, and they can happen anywhere\u2014from kitchens and construction sites to hospitals, warehouses and manufacturing facilities.<\/p>\n

While minor burns can usually be treated on the spot with simple first aid, some burns may be more serious and require immediate professional medical attention. Regardless, timely treatment can make a big difference. Make sure employees know how to treat superficial burns, and how to recognize when an injury is something more serious.<\/p>\n

Burns by degrees: What\u2019s minor, what\u2019s not<\/h2>\n

The three primary types of burns are classified by depth and damage to the skin. Knowing how severe a burn is will determine if it requires simple first aid, urgent care or emergency treatment.<\/p>\n

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  1. First-degree burns affect only the skin\u2019s surface and usually cause mild pain, redness and minor swelling. Common culprits are overexposure to the sun, splashes of hot water, small flames and caustic chemicals that are quickly washed off.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Treatment plan:<\/strong> Simple first aid is typically fine, although larger burns should be examined by a medical provider.<\/em><\/p>\n

    2. Second-degree burns penetrate the second layer of the skin. Along with redness and pain, these burns also cause blisters and more extensive skin damage. The skin tissue is at higher risk for infection and can take several weeks to heal. Second-degree burns are typically caused by scalding hot water or other liquids<\/p>\n

    Treatment plan:<\/strong> A trip to urgent care or a primary care doctor is recommended.<\/em><\/p>\n

    3. Third-degree burns involve all layers of the skin and can cause severe damage, charring and nerve death. Because the skin is severely damaged, blisters do not develop, and the burns cannot heal without significant scarring. Third-degree burns can be caused by hot oil, touching hot surfaces or chemical exposure.<\/p>\n

    Treatment plan:<\/strong> Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Treating minor burns<\/h2>\n

    Minor burns can typically be treated without seeing a doctor. When a workplace burn occurs and it looks like it isn\u2019t serious, employees should take these simple steps to relieve pain and avoid infection:<\/p>\n