What should you do first if you experience a chemical burn at work?

When experiencing a chemical burn at work, the immediate priority is to wash the area with clean water. This action is crucial because it helps to dilute and remove the chemical agent that caused the burn, minimizing further damage to the skin and surrounding tissues. Rinsing the affected area with copious amounts of water for a substantial duration can significantly reduce the severity of the injury and prevent complications.

Promptly washing the burn site also helps to cool the affected skin and alleviate pain, which is essential in a chemical burn scenario. It is important to handle the situation quickly because delays can lead to increased skin damage and complications. In contrast, notifying a supervisor or applying ointment may be necessary later but should not be the first response in this situation. Ignoring a chemical burn can lead to more serious health issues, so immediate action is critical.