Epidemiology of work-related burn injuries: experience of a state-managed workers' compensation system

Population-based incidence rates of work-related burn injuries and associated risk factors specific to anatomic sites and degree of burn are not known.

Using a state-managed workers' compensation database, we estimated incidence rates of work-related burn injuries and identified high-risk occupations and associated exposures.

The annual incidence rate of occupational burn was 26.4 per 10,000 workers, with the highest rate observed in the manufacturing sector for males and in the service sector for females. Welders, cooks, laborers, food service workers, and mechanics had higher incidence rates of burn injury compared with other occupations. Wrist and hand burns accounted for a majority of burn injuries, with females experiencing greater incidence of these distal upper extremity burns (8.9 in females and 6.7 in males per 10,000 workers, respectively). Third-degree burns (incidence rate, 1.3 per 10,000 workers) were also most frequently observed in the upper extremities compared with other anatomic sites. The majority of wrist and hand burns were caused by hot liquids/ objects, whereas the majority of eye burns were associated with chemical exposures. Younger cooks and food service workers were at greater risk of burn than older coworkers.

Specific occupations are associated with degree of burn, anatomic site, and exposures. This information will be useful for targeted intervention among high-risk occupations and work groups.