BURN INJURY AT WORKPLACE

Yes. Although burns are commonly associated with fire or flame, they can also be caused by scalding, contact with electricity, chemicals, or a hot surface, proximity to an explosion, and exposure to radiation.

43% of patients admitted to burn centers were injured by fire or flame, 34% by scalding, 9% by contact with a hot surface, 4% by electricity, 3% by chemical exposure, and 7% by other causes.

Some victims of electrical burns were injured by lightning, a “natural” occurrence. Contact with an artificial electrical current causes the vast majority of electrical burns. Electrical burns can be extremely severe, whether from an electric arc, in which electricity travels through the air, or an electric current. They can destroy skin and tissue completely, necessitating skin grafts or amputations. Electrical burns can occur anywhere there is frayed wiring, if a cord has been damaged, cut, or worn from use, if the wiring was improperly installed, or if the appliance is defective.

An explosion that results from the ignition of natural gas or propane by static electricity or a spark can result in a fire that causes burn injuries. Furthermore, even dust can ignite and explode with sufficient force to destroy a structure. Numerous tragic explosions have occurred in plants that process and store agricultural products, and factories that perform grinding and polishing must employ stringent dust control measures. Explosions may be caused by commercial activity, but innocent bystanders and locals are frequently among the victims.

Yes. Twenty to twenty-five percent of all severe burns in the United States are work-related, whether chemical, electrical, or thermal.