Citation

Horwitz IB, McCall BP. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 2007; 49(12): 1376-1385.

Affiliation

Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, Tex; and School of Education and Department of Economics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JOM.0b013e318157d9bc

PMID

18231084

Abstract

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.

Language: en