What are the most common types of burns in the workplace?
Burns in the workplace remain a significant work health and safety concern across Australian industries.
Understanding the different types of burns, their causes, and prevention strategies is crucial for both employers and employees to maintain a safe working environment.
How thermal burns dominate workplace injury statistics
Thermal burns are the most frequently reported type of workplace burn injury in Australia, accounting for approximately 70% of all burn-related incidents.
These burns occur through direct contact with hot surfaces, flames, steam or other heat sources.
Commercial kitchens, manufacturing facilities, and construction sites present particularly high risks for thermal burns.
Common scenarios include contact with hot cooking equipment, industrial machinery, and heated materials like bitumen or metals.
Chemical burns pose unique risks across industries
While less common than thermal burns, chemical burns represent a significant hazard in Australian workplaces, particularly in manufacturing, cleaning, and laboratory environments.
These injuries occur when corrosive substances come into contact with skin or mucous membranes. Acids, alkalis, solvents, and cleaning products are frequent culprits.
The mining sector faces particular risks due to exposure to industrial chemicals and processing agents.
Why electrical burns require special attention
Electrical burns, though less frequent, often result in more severe injuries and have a higher fatality rate compared to other burn types.
These burns can cause extensive internal damage that may not be immediately visible on the surface.
Electricians, maintenance workers, and construction workers are at the highest risk.
The increasing use of high-voltage equipment in Australian industries has made electrical burn prevention a critical safety focus.
Overlooked danger of friction burns in manual handling
Friction burns, often overlooked in workplace safety discussions, occur regularly in industries involving manual handling and machinery operation.
These burns happen when skin rubs against rough surfaces or materials at high speed.
Warehouse workers, machine operators, and rope access technicians are particularly susceptible to friction burns, which can be exacerbated by hot climate and physical labour conditions.
Understanding radiation burns beyond sunlight exposure
While sunlight-related burns are well-known in Australia’s outdoor workplaces, other forms of radiation burns pose risks in specific industries.
Welders face exposure to ultraviolet radiation, while healthcare workers may encounter risks from therapeutic radiation equipment.
Mining and industrial radiography workers must also manage exposure to various forms of radiation that can cause tissue damage.
Rising incidence of cold burns in modern workplaces
Cold burns, though less recognised, are becoming more common with the increased use of cryogenic materials and refrigeration systems.
Workers in food processing, healthcare, and scientific research frequently handle extremely cold substances like liquid nitrogen or dry ice.
The rapid expansion of Australia’s cold chain logistics sector has brought new challenges in preventing cold burn injuries.
How scalding injuries differ from other thermal burns
Scalding injuries deserve separate consideration due to their unique characteristics and prevalence in specific industries.
These burns, caused by hot liquids or steam, often result in more extensive tissue damage than dry heat burns.
The hospitality industry, commercial laundries, and food manufacturing facilities report the highest incidence of scalding injuries, with hot water and steam systems posing particular risks.
Updating burn first aid protocols
Burn first aid protocols now emphasise immediate cooling of the burn site under clean running water for 20 minutes, rather than previously recommended shorter durations or traditional applications.
The Australian and New Zealand Burn Association recommends that in the absence of water, the use of water-soluble hydrogel in either a gel-saturated sterile dressing or applied directly and liberally onto the site, will cool and soothe the injury until medical attention can be sought.
All Brenniston’s Australian-made workplace first aid kits contain hydrogel to treat burns in the absence of running water. For more specialised requirements, the Brenniston Emergency Burn Module is specifically designed for gas and pipeline fitters, technicians and mechanics working in hazardous conditions with high risk of burns and scalds, while the Brenniston National Standard Burn Module is a good fit for most standard industrial workplaces.
As well as workplace kits, Brenniston supplies a complete range of workplace first aid supplies for burns.
Psychological impact of workplace burn injuries
Beyond physical trauma, workplace burns often result in significant psychological effects that impact both the injured worker and their colleagues.
Burn victims frequently experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
This psychological dimension requires consideration in both prevention strategies and recovery programs.
Personal protective equipment in burn prevention
Personal protective equipment (PPE) plays a crucial role in preventing workplace burns, yet compliance and effectiveness vary considerably.
Australian standards for PPE have become more stringent, with specific requirements for different industries and burn risks.
However, challenges remain in ensuring proper selection, fit, and consistent use of protective equipment.
Effective prevention strategies
Effective burn prevention in Australian workplaces requires a multi-faceted approach.
This includes regular risk assessments, proper training programs, maintenance of safety equipment, and development of emergency response procedures.
Successful prevention strategies often incorporate behaviour-based safety programs alongside technical controls.
Conclusion
Workplace burns represent a significant occupational hazard across Australian industries, with various types presenting different risks and challenges.
Understanding these different burn types, their causes, and appropriate prevention strategies is essential for maintaining workplace safety. Servicing, checking and maintaining workplace first aid kits by replenishing burn supplies ensures readiness as well as legal compliance
As workplace technologies and practices continue to evolve, so too must our approach to burn prevention and treatment.
Fully stocked first aid kits, regular first aid training, proper protective equipment, and clear emergency procedures remain fundamental to reducing the incidence and severity of workplace burns.