Why water is often not enough for workplace burns

Getting burned is a common experience that most people will go through at some point in their lives. One side effect of this is that people often fail to realize just how serious a burn injury can be and fail to respond with the urgency required.

Running cold water on a burned area for a few minutes may be all that is needed for a minor burn. However, some cases require a much higher level of intervention as quickly as possible.

Not all burns are equal

Many of these more serious burns occur in the workplace, because things tend to be scaled up compared to the home environment. For instance, restaurant kitchens have stoves with large flames and use large pots that contain greater quantities of boiling ingredients. Those welding in an industrial environment will have machines that are more powerful and can operate at higher temperatures than those welding at home. Chemicals can also burn, and those used in the workplace tend to be stronger than those used at home.

When a burn goes beyond something merely superficial, it can char bones, destroy muscle and nerves and damage organs. Infection also becomes a risk — and with it the chance that the body’s reaction leads to sepsis.

The extent of the burns also plays a significant role in how serious it turns out to be. If vast areas of skin are damaged, it can affect the body’s ability to self-regulate its temperature and more.

Those who suffer burns at work should seek immediate medical attention. Doctors are much more qualified to give you the treatment you need than someone who assumes that running it under a tap is all that is needed. They can also provide the medical records you will require if you file a workers’ compensation claim.