If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Get away from the heat source — a grill, steam line, welding torch, hot part or radiator.
- 2Call 911 for burns that are large, deep, charred or white, on the face, hands, feet, genitals or across a joint, or if smoke was inhaled.
- 3Cool the burn under cool running water for an extended period. Do not use ice, butter or ointments unless a clinician tells you to.
- 4Take off rings, watches and tight clothing near the burn before swelling starts — but leave anything stuck to the skin.
- 5Cover loosely with a clean, non-fluffy cloth or dressing.
- 6Tell your supervisor and report the burn in writing. Keep a copy.
- 7Photograph the burn and the source when it is safe.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Burns happen across many trades: kitchens, welding, auto shops, roofing with hot materials, manufacturing lines. In fast-paced jobs, people often treat a burn themselves and keep working. Even then, a written report is worth making, since burns can blister, become infected or scar in the days after.
Describe what burned you — a hot pan, steam, a muffler, molten material — and what you were doing. Your employer generally sends the report to its insurer or claims administrator. Ask for the claim number.
Deadlines to report and file vary by state. Check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible.
Take dated photos as the burn changes, and keep receipts for dressings and supplies along with a log of visits and missed time.
Getting medical care
Minor burns may be seen at urgent care or occupational medicine; serious burns need emergency care and sometimes a burn center. A licensed clinician decides how to treat it after an evaluation.
Tell the clinician what caused the burn and that it happened at work. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first, so ask your employer or adjuster — but get emergency care first if you need it.
If you are prescribed medication or wound care supplies, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Many can be filled locally or delivered to your home.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- Your burn is serious, needs specialized care or leaves scarring or reduced movement.
- Faulty equipment made or maintained by another company played a part.
- Your claim is denied or delayed, or you are told the burn was your own fault.
- You cannot return to your job because of the burn or its effects.
- You were discouraged from reporting.
- There are disagreements about wound care or follow-up.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Follow your clinician's instructions for dressing changes and keep follow-up visits. Watch for signs of infection like increasing pain, redness, swelling, pus or fever.
Healing skin is sensitive to heat, sun and friction. Ask your doctor about restrictions such as staying away from heat sources, gloves or protective sleeves, and how long to keep the area covered.
Keep your employer and adjuster updated. If you feel anxious around the equipment that burned you, mention it to your clinician; that is common.
Questions to ask
- Doctor: How deep is this burn, and what should I watch for?
- Doctor: How often should the dressing be changed, and by whom?
- Doctor: When can I be around heat at work again?
- Employer: Can I get a copy of my injury report?
- Employer: Can I work away from heat sources while I heal?
- Adjuster: What is my claim number, and how are wound supplies handled?
- Attorney: The equipment that burned me was faulty. Does that change anything?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I got burned at work?
Cool the burn under cool running water, remove rings or tight items near it, and cover it loosely. Call 911 for serious burns or burns on the face, hands, feet or joints. Then report it in writing.
Should I put ice on a burn?
No, ice can damage the skin further. Cool running water is the common first aid step. A clinician can advise you after that.
When does a work burn need emergency care?
Call 911 for burns that are large, deep, white or charred, on the face, hands, feet, groin or a joint, or if smoke was inhaled. Electrical and chemical burns also need emergency care. When in doubt, call.
Is a burn at work covered by workers' comp?
Burns that happen on the job are often handled through workers' compensation, depending on your state and situation. Report it in writing even if minor. Check deadlines with your state's agency.
Can I go back to work with a burn?
That depends on the burn and your clinician's guidance. Ask for written restrictions about heat, gloves and keeping it covered. Your employer may have tasks that fit.
Will my burn scar?
Some burns scar and some do not, depending on depth and healing. Your clinician can tell you what to expect and how to care for the skin. Follow their instructions and keep follow-up visits.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).