An epidemiological and risk analysis of Virginia workers' compensation burn claims 1999 to 2002: identifying and prioritizing preventive workplace interventions.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines workers' compensation burn claims from Virginia to assess risk factors and costs associated with occupational burn injuries.


METHODS
Virginia workers' compensation burn claims for the period of 1999 to 2002 were analyzed. Claim rates were determined by using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Population Survey for the working population of Virginia.


RESULTS
There were 5810 burn claims reported for the 4-year period examined, with the average burn rate estimated to be 4.3 per 10,000 workers. The total cost of claims was found to average $11,705,939 per year and $8059 per claim. There was over a sixfold increase for burn rates on weekends relative to weekdays.


CONCLUSIONS
Burns are a common injury experienced by workers and are often severe. Assessing personnel issues affecting weekend employees may lead to valuable preventive interventions to reduce burn risk.
Horwitz
Irwin B
IB
Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA. irwin.horwitz@uth.tmc.edu
McCall
Brian P
BP
D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007344:Insurance Claim Reporting / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007345:Insurance Claim Review; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014768:Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*