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. CONCLUSION: 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.