Burns at Work: Is This Burn Minor or Major?

5/22/2018 (Permalink)

Give SERVPRO a call after commercial fire damage.

If a fire breaks out in a commercial building in Levittown, PA the fire damage can vary greatly. You may have to deal with structural problems, charred equipment and personal injuries. A fire repair crew can help with most of the property damages, but you may need to get help from a different source for personal injuries. If an employee gets burned at work, it may be a good idea to take quick action. You may be able to take care of minor burns on site, by following basic first aid steps:

• Cool the burn.
• Protect the blisters.
• Apply lotion.
• Add a bandage.
• Provide pain relief.

However, major burns often require medical attention as soon as possible. How do you tell the difference?

Major Burns

A major burn looks different than a minor burn. This injury is deep and large. To qualify as major, it should be over three inches in diameter or cover certain parts of the body, including hands, face, buttocks, groin or feet. The appearance of the skin will be dry and leathery. You may also notice the fire damage charred skin and created patches of colored skin. Usually, the colors can include white, black and brown. If a burn falls into this category, you may want to do some first aid until a first responder arrives. However, on-site treatment is not enough for this injury.

Minor Burns

A minor burn is much more superficial than its more serious counterpart. The redness associated with it may remind you of a sunburn rather than a charred piece of skin. The injured employee will feel pain. The affected area may have blisters but should be no larger than three inches in diameter. If a burn falls into this category, you can do some burn first aid to help relieve the pain. You may still want to send your employee to the doctor, but it's not as vital.

Fire damage often affects buildings, but it may also affect your employees. Knowing how to react to personal injuries can help you make smart decisions. Visit http://www.SERVPROlevittown.com for more information on commercial fire damage.