Burns and Scalds Safety Topic

According to the American Burn Association, 1.1 million burn injuries need medical attention in the United States each year, 45,000 require hospitalization. A significant portion of injuries occurs on the job where employees are exposed to a variety of hazards.

Burn Classification

• First-degree burns only affect the top layer of skin. First-degree burns,(ex: sunburns) skin is mildly red and dry with some localized pain, typically heals within a few days.
• Second-degree burns affect additional layers of skin. Second-degree burns result in blistering that is quite painful and can take several weeks to heal. Take caution with blisters as they are prone to infection.
• Third-degree burns are most severe and affect all layers of skin, muscle, and nerve tissue. The burn area appears charred with patches of underlying tissues that have been exposed appearing white. There is a great threat of infection from these burns. These burns are often extremely painful, depending on the amount of…