Work-Related Burns in Washington State, 1994 to 1998

This article describes an investigation of work-related burns in Washington State during 1994–1998. Workers’ compensation data were used to describe the general characteristics of burn injuries, estimate industrial claims rates, and compare nonhospitalized and hospitalized burn cases. The completeness of workers’ compensation data as a source for surveillance was evaluated. During 1994–1998, a total of 20,213 burn claims were accepted by the workers’ compensation system. Hospitalized burn cases represented only 1.5% of burn claims but incurred 55% of the costs. In addition, workers’ compensation data underestimated the frequency and rate of burns. Although workers’ compensation claims rates decreased during 1994–1998, work-related burns remain a problem in Washington State. Several industries (eg, roofing, foundries, and aluminum smelting) were identified as priorities for prevention of burn hospitalizations, which incur the greater cost and time loss.

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