Cold Contact Injuries at Work — Injury Statistics and Claims Information
Cold Contact Injuries at Work
Incidents remain a persistent workplace safety risk
OSHA records show 52 severe incidents involving contact with cold objects or substances, with petroleum and coal products serving as the primary source in 52 percent of cases. These events frequently result in severe burns, which account for 84.6 percent of all reported injury types in this category.
The hands and fingers are the most vulnerable, sustaining injuries in 42.3 percent of all reported cases. These incidents often lead to permanent damage, including amputations and deep tissue burns that require extensive medical intervention and long-term recovery.
What's Driving the Trend?
While annual case counts have fluctuated, the data shows a 33.3 percent year-over-year increase in reported incidents as of 2025. The persistent involvement of petroleum products and toxic non-metallic compounds suggests that failures in handling hazardous materials remain a significant driver of these injuries.
Manufacturing and retail trade sectors each account for 21.2 percent of these severe incidents, reflecting the high frequency of liquid propane and refrigerant handling in these environments. Construction sites also contribute significantly, with 19.2 percent of cases stemming from the maintenance of cooling systems and pressurized gas equipment.
Injury Types from Cold Contact Injuries
Top causes based on OSHA incident reports
Cold contact injuries typically occur when workers handle pressurized gases or cryogenic materials without adequate protection. Common scenarios include the accidental release of liquid propane during cylinder changes, the mishandling of dry ice, or the sudden discharge of refrigerant gas during valve replacements. These events often happen when equipment seals fail or when workers are provided with gloves that are not rated for extreme temperature exposure.
| Injury Type | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Other or multiple types of burns | 44 |
| 2 | Effects of reduced temperature | 8 |
Why This Matters for Your Case
Employers are legally required to provide appropriate personal protective equipment under 29 CFR 1910.132 and ensure proper hazard communication as mandated by 29 CFR 1910.1200. When an employer fails to provide chemical-resistant gloves or fails to train staff on the safe handling of cryogenic substances, they may be in violation of federal safety standards designed to prevent these specific burn injuries.
Industries with Most Cold Contact Injuries
Where these injuries occur most frequently
Manufacturing and retail trade lead the industry list, each responsible for 21.2 percent of reported cold contact injuries. In these settings, the frequent use of powered industrial trucks and fuel storage systems creates constant exposure risks that require strict adherence to safety protocols.
High-Risk Industries and Your Rights
Employers in these sectors must comply with 29 CFR 1910.110 for the storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gases. Additionally, 29 CFR 1910.132 requires employers to conduct a formal hazard assessment to determine the specific type of protective equipment necessary to prevent cryogenic burns during routine maintenance tasks.
Real Incident Reports
From actual OSHA investigation files
Reported incidents reveal a recurring pattern of equipment failure and inadequate protective gear during the transfer of hazardous substances. Workers frequently suffer severe burns when fill nozzles detach, valves leak, or when they are tasked with handling materials like dry ice without specialized, task-appropriate gloves.
"An employee was filling a motor fuel cylinder from a bobtail. When he opened the handle on the fill nozzle it popped off the filler valve and pushed him back into a rack where he struck his head on a cylinder cage. He sustained a laceration to the back left side of his head. While working to wrestle the hose to the ground, he sustained burns from liquid propane on the right side of his chest and right arm, and sustained minor burns on the left side."
"An employee was changing out a propane cylinder on a powered industrial truck when liquid petroleum gas contacted his hands. The employee sustained second-degree burns to his hands."
"A temporary employee was injured after working with dry ice while wearing the gloves that were not suited to the task. He was hospitalized on May 29, 2024, and had three fingertips amputated."
"An employee was replacing a valve on a cooling system when refrigerant gas was released, burning their left hand and lungs."
"An employee was transferring propane from his bobtail truck to a storage tank. As the employee removed the hose, propane shot out and struck him in the mid-section, resulting in propane freeze burns from below the waist to the top of the knees. The employee was hospitalized."
"On September 22, 2023, an employee was working on a chiller circuit in a mechanical yard. They sustained second-degree burns after being exposed to refrigerant."
"An employee was tightening a fitting for monthly leak detection and repair when liquid natural gas was released, resulting in a cryogenic burn to the right hand."
"On August 28, 2023, an employee was moving a CO2 tank when CO2 gas came out and froze the employee's left hand."
"An employee was performing a pressure check and leak test on a unit when nitrogen gas was released from a valve core removal tool. The nitrogen gas was injected into the employee's right hand, resulting in a burn to the skin, swelling, and pain."
"An employee was performing routine maintenance on refrigeration equipment when the shut-off valve failed, causing refrigerant to leak and burn the employee's right index finger."
Common Questions About Cold Contact Injuries Claims
The ClaimsBoost Research Team aggregates official government data to help workers understand workplace injury trends and their coverage options.
ClaimsBoost is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. ClaimsBoost is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any government agency. Performance scores, rankings, and statistics displayed on this site are calculated by ClaimsBoost using publicly available government data from OSHA severe injury reports. Individual results may vary. Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice or a guarantee of benefits. If you need legal help, we can connect you with licensed attorneys in your area.Some written content on this page was created with the assistance of AI to help interpret and explain the data. AI can make mistakes — all content has been reviewed for accuracy, but we encourage you to verify any information that is important to your situation.