Occupation-related burn injuries

Unlike household burn injuries, the characteristics of burn injuries in the workplace have not been well described. In an effort to understand the cau ses and effects of occupation-related burn injuries and to aid in preventio n, we sought to describe work-related burn injuries by frequency, burn type , age of the patients, body parts burned, and occupation of the patients. T his was a statewide, cross-sectional study of all burns that occurred in th e workplace during 1994. Data on fatal injuries were obtained from the Nati onal Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Survey data from the North Caro lina Department of Labor were used for nonfatal injuries. Burns caused 34 d eaths (15.3%) and 1720 injuries in the workplace in 1994, Of the nonfatal i njuries, 1363 (79.2%) were caused by exposure to caustic substances or hot objects or substances. The head and upper extremities were the most frequen tly injured body parts (936 injuries; 57.6%). The average age of those burn ed was 30.7 years; most of the patients ranged from 25 to 35 years old. Hig h-risk occupations included vehicle and equipment cleaners, food service pe rsonnel, and millwrights (11.3%, 5.3%, and 5.2% of burn injuries, respectiv ely). Unlike the flame burns that occur in homes, exposure to caustics and hot objects and substances caused the majority of on-the-job burn injuries. Protective gear for the head and upper extremities may prevent a significa nt number of burns. Education and prevention programs may best be directed at workers with high-risk occupations and workers in the 25- to 35-year age range.