The Health and Safety Executive has issued a reminder to health and social care workers about the risks of scalding and burning, following a recent inquest into the tragic accidental death of a pensioner from scalding burns at a north Wales care home.
Many accidents involving scalding have been fatal and have mainly occurred during bathing or showering. Where vulnerable people are at risk from scalding during whole body immersion, water temperatures must not exceed 44°C.
It says that many health and social care homes and hospitals have increased water temperatures for a number of reasons including the need to satisfy hot water demand, efficient running of the boiler and controlling the risk from Legionella bacteria. However care providers shouild bear in mind that:
- High water temperatures (particularly temperatures over 44°C) can create a scalding risk to vulnerable people who use care services.
- Serious injuries and fatalities have also been caused by contact with hot pipes or radiators.
- Where there is a risk of a vulnerable person sustaining a burn from a hot surface, then the surface should not exceed 43°C when the system is running at the maximum design output.
- Precautions may include insulation or providing suitable covers.
Advice from the HSE on managing scalding and burning risks in social care
DOWNLOAD INFORMATION SHEET: Managing the risks from hot water and services in health and social care (click link on HSE website to download)
Read more on this story:
BBC News: Greencroft Residential Home scalding death accidental (Dec 16, 2014)