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. 2015 Mar;58(3):290-8.
doi: 10.1002/ajim.22407.

Occupational burns treated in emergency departments

Audrey A Reichard  1 , Srinivas Konda, Larry L Jackson
Affiliations

Occupational burns treated in emergency departments

Audrey A Reichard et al. Am J Ind Med. 2015 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Despite reported declines, occupational burn injuries remain a workplace safety concern. More severe burns may result in costly medical treatment and long-term physical and psychological consequences.

Methods: We used the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-Occupational Supplement to produce national estimates of burns treated in emergency departments (EDs). We analyzed data trends from 1999 to 2008 and provided detailed descriptions of 2008 data.

Results: From 1999 to 2008 there were 1,132,000 (95% CI: ±192,300) nonfatal occupational burns treated in EDs. Burn numbers and rates declined approximately 40% over the 10 years. In 2008, men and younger workers 15-24 years old had the highest rates. Scalds and thermal burns accounted for more than 60% of burns. Accommodation and food service, manufacturing, and construction industries had the largest number of burns.

Conclusions: Despite declining burn rates, emphasis is needed on reducing burn hazards to young food service workers and using job specific hazard analyses to prevent burns.

Keywords: burns; construction injuries; food service injuries; nonfatal; occupational injuries.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure Statement: The authors report no conflicts of interests.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Number and rate of work-related nonfatal burns treated in hospital emergency departments by year, 1999–2008. a95% confidence interval.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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