Burn care in Australian workplaces
Each year, thousands of Australian workers suffer burn injuries on the job, ranging from minor scalds to severe thermal burns.
Understanding proper burn care and prevention in the workplace is crucial for both employers and employees, particularly in high-risk industries such as hospitality, manufacturing, and construction.
Why Australian workplaces face unique burn risks
Australia’s climate and industrial landscape present distinct challenges for burn prevention.
Our high temperatures, particularly during summer months, increase the risk of contact burns for outdoor workers whose environment includes sun-exposed surfaces and equipment.
Additionally, people who work at remote locations face longer emergency response times, making immediate burn care critical.
Legal obligations for Australian employers regarding burn care
Australian employers have specific legal responsibilities regarding burn prevention and care.
This includes providing appropriate first aid facilities, ensuring adequate training, and maintaining proper documentation of incidents.
Understanding these obligations helps protect both employees and employers.
Training requirements for workplace burn care in Australia
Australian regulations require specific levels of burn care training for designated first aid officers.
This includes understanding the unique aspects of chemical, electrical, and thermal burns, as well as regular refresher courses to stay current with best practices and treatment protocols.
Role of workplace culture in burn prevention and care
Successful burn care begins with prevention, and workplace culture plays a crucial role.
Australian businesses with strong safety cultures report significantly fewer burn incidents.
This includes encouraging regular breaks during hot weather, wearing appropriate clothing, maintaining open communication about safety concerns, and ensuring proper training in burn prevention and first aid.
Common causes of workplace burns that surprise most people
While hot liquids and open flames are well-known burn hazards, many workplace burns occur from unexpected sources.
Chemical burns from commonly used cleaning products account for a significant portion of incidents. UV burns affect outdoor workers even on cloudy days, while arc flash burns from electrical equipment catch many by surprise.
Friction burns from machinery and conveyor belts are also more common than generally recognised.
How workplace layout affects burn treatment success
The positioning of first aid facilities and burn care equipment can significantly impact treatment outcomes.
Australian workplace safety regulations recommend that burn first aid stations be located no more than 30 seconds from high-risk areas.
This includes ensuring easy access to running water and emergency showers in chemical handling areas.
Critical first 20 minutes after a workplace burn
The actions taken immediately following a burn injury can significantly impact recovery outcomes.
Australian first aid protocols emphasise the importance of cool running water for 20 minutes, rather than the outdated practice of applying ice or butter, which can damage and scar skin tissue and lead to infection.
Running cool water over the burn for at least 20 minutes helps prevent the burn from deepening and reduces pain and inflammation.
Essential burn first aid supplies for Australian workplaces
Beyond standard workplace first aid kits, Australian workplaces should maintain specific burn care supplies.
Workplace first aid burns modules should include purpose-designed burn gel, burn gel dressings, polyethylene burn sheets and sterile low-adherent dressings.
Burn gel
Water-soluble gel for smaller burns, scalds and sunburn.
- Uses - Cool, soothe, hydrate, relieve pain and promote healing.
- Features - Transparent gel allows touch-free assessment and rinses off easily for further treatment.
- Applications - Apply liberally to burn site without rubbing in and leave on until burn has cooled or medical attention is sought.
Burn Gel Dressing
Open-cell, non-adherent foam dressing impregnated with burn gel for larger burn areas.
- Uses - Cool, soothe, hydrate, relieve pain and promote healing while protecting wound from contamination before further treatment.
- Features - Remains on burn to optimise effectiveness of initial response or during transport to medical care. Assorted sizes include torso and face.
- Applications - Apply directly to burn site, lightly secure with a bandage and leave in place until burn has cooled or medical attention is sought.
Polyethylene Burn Sheet
Transparent polyethylene sheet with low-adherent coating on one side, sterile-packed in assorted sizes.
- Uses - Create a sterile barrier to protect burn site from contamination before further treatment.
- Features - Fold or cut to size for site-specific, highly conforming coverage.
- Applications - After cooling with water and/or applying gel, wrap around burn site and leave in place until medical attention is sought.
Low-adherent Dressing
Mildly absorbent thin pad with low-adherent film on both sides, sterile-packed in assorted sizes.
- Uses - Protect burns and absorb exudate without sticking or painful removal.
- Features - Latex free and hypoallergenic to suit the most sensitive skin types in trauma.
- Applications - After cooling with water and/or gel, apply directly to burn site and secure lightly with a bandage until medical attention is sought.
Understanding burn categories in the Australian context
Australian medical practitioners categorise burns differently from some international systems. The Australian classification includes:
- Superficial burn (first-degree burn) - Affects the outer or top layer of skin only. It may be blistered, red and painful.
- Partial thickness burn (second-degree burn) - Damages the first and second skin layers. It may be mottled red and white, dark red or pale yellow. It will be painful and is often blistered.
- Full thickness burn (third-degree burn) - Reaches as far as the fat underneath the skin. It may look brown, black or white, and feel dry and leathery. A full thickness burn can destroy nerves, so pain may not be felt.
When to call an ambulance versus treating burns on-site
Australian workplace safety guidelines provide specific criteria for burn injury triage.
Seek medical attention for burns larger than a 20-cent piece. Burns requiring immediate ambulance attendance include those covering more than 5% of body surface area, burns to the airways, face, hands or genitals, and any chemical or electrical burns.
Understanding these criteria helps prevent delayed treatment of serious injuries.
Psychological support following workplace burn incidents
The impact of burn injuries extends beyond physical trauma.
Australian work health and safety protocols increasingly recognise the importance of psychological support for both burn victims and witnesses.
This includes immediate counselling and ongoing support through workers’ compensation programs.
How climate change is affecting workplace burn risks
Rising temperatures and increasing extreme weather events in Australia are creating new burn hazards in the workplace.
Heat-related burns from equipment and surfaces are becoming more common, requiring adaptation of safety protocols and work schedules to protect employees.
Conclusion
Effective burn care in Australian workplaces requires a comprehensive approach that combines prevention, proper first aid facilities, trained personnel, and clear response protocols.
Understanding the unique aspects of burn injuries in the Australian context, including climate considerations and legal requirements, is essential for creating safe work environments.
Regular training, appropriate equipment, and a strong safety culture are key elements in minimising the impact of workplace burn incidents.
References
Safe Work Australia - Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace
Australian and New Zealand Burn Association - First aid and treatment