Occupational burn injuries

The epidemiology of occupational burns injuries in a well-defined population is analysed. Although a total of 371 persons sustained an injury, only a few were inpatients and just one required anti-shock treatment. The mean burn surface area was 0.66 per cent and 14 patients had full thickness burn injuries. There were no deaths. Men were found to be more prone than women to injury, especially young workers. The distribution by categories of work and causes of burn are illustrated. Scalds and contact burns were dominant, particularly in restaurants. The work by the National Labour Inspection is acknowledged.