Epidemiology of work-related burn injuries: experience of a state-managed workers' compensation system.
BACKGROUND
Population-based incidence rates of work-related burn injuries and associated risk factors specific to anatomic sites and degree of burn are not known.


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


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Islam
S S
SS
Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University, School of Medicine, Morgantown 26506, USA.
Nambiar
A M
AM
Doyle
E J
EJ
Velilla
A M
AM
Biswas
R S
RS
Ducatman
A M
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014903:West Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*