Even if you operate a small office and you think your employees work in a safe environment, the reality is that accidents and injuries can occur anywhere. Burns in an office is more common than you may realize. Coffee can spill, an employee can get burned when removing food from a microwave, or some other type of accident can happen. It’s important to know what to do if someone gets burned at work.
Figure out How Severe the Burn Is
Before you can decide on an appropriate treatment, you need to look at the burn and determine how serious it is. First-degree burns are the least severe. They only affect the outer layer of skin. The affected area may be red and painful.
Second-degree burns affect the dermis or the second layer of skin. An area that has a second-degree burn may be bright red and moist or may have a blister.
A third-degree burn affects all layers of skin. The skin may look dry, ashen, charred, or leathery.
Know How to Care for a Burn
For a first- or second-degree burn, holding the affected area under cool, running water for five to 10 minutes, applying an antibiotic ointment or burn cream, and covering the burned area with gauze or a bandage may be all that’s needed. An over-the-counter pain reliever may also be helpful.
Third-degree burns are the most serious and require immediate medical attention. A person with a third-degree burn may lose the ability to use the affected area and may suffer from infections and permanent disfigurement.
Cover the burned area with a dry cloth and avoid touching the wound. Call an ambulance or transport the person to a hospital or burn clinic as soon as possible. You should also seek medical attention if an individual has a first- or second-degree burn that covers a large area or if the burned area is on the face, feet, or genitals.
Make Sure Your Employees Are Prepared to Deal with Burns
Your office should have one or more first aid kits or cabinets with burn cream, antibiotic ointment, gauze, bandages, and other essential supplies that workers can use to treat burns and other types of injuries they may suffer while on the job. You should also provide first aid training on a regular basis so that every member of your staff will know how to respond in an emergency.
SoCal First Aid offers first aid kits and cabinets that contain all the essentials your workers will need to handle many types of common injuries. We can also hold classes to teach your employees valuable first aid skills. Order supplies or contact us to schedule a first aid training session.