How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 52 severe cases involving contact with cold objects or substances over the last decade. The vast majority of these incidents, 85 percent, resulted in various forms of burns that required hospitalization or intensive medical intervention.
These injuries are particularly dangerous because they often cause deep tissue damage. Fingers are the most frequently affected body part, accounting for 13 percent of all reported cases, which can lead to long-term impairment or loss of function.
Common injuries
Injuries typically occur when you handle hazardous materials like petroleum products, which account for 52 percent of all reported sources. Whether it is a leak from a propane fill nozzle, improper handling of dry ice, or a release of refrigerant gas, these events often stem from equipment failure or inadequate safety gear. When protective equipment is missing or unsuitable for the task, even brief contact with these substances can cause immediate and severe freeze burns.
| Injury Type | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Other or multiple types of burns | 44 |
| 2 | Effects of reduced temperature | 8 |
Where injuries happen most
Manufacturing and retail trade each account for 21 percent of these severe incidents. In these environments, you frequently handle pressurized cylinders and cooling systems as part of your daily routine. When your employer fails to provide specialized gloves or fails to maintain valve integrity, the risk of accidental exposure to cryogenic or flammable substances increases significantly.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports involve equipment malfunctions during fuel transfers and the use of improper protective gear when handling volatile substances. You may suffer injuries when valves fail or hoses disconnect unexpectedly, leading to direct exposure to freezing liquids or gases. If your injury occurred during a similar equipment failure or due to a lack of proper safety equipment, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your claim.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | IL | Retail Trade | "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." | |
| 2025 | FL | Manufacturing | "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." | |
| 2024 | NJ | Administrative Services | "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." | |
| 2024 | NY | Construction | "An employee was replacing a valve on a cooling system when refrigerant gas was released, burning their left hand and lungs." | |
| 2023 | AR | Retail Trade | "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." | |
| 2023 | NV | Public Administration | "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." | |
| 2023 | WV | Manufacturing | "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." | |
| 2023 | GA | Transportation & Warehousing | "On August 28, 2023, an employee was moving a CO2 tank when CO2 gas came out and froze the employee's left hand." | |
| 2023 | IL | Construction | "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." | |
| 2023 | TX | Construction | "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." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Workers' Compensation is designed to cover medical expenses and lost wages for injuries you sustained during the course of employment. Because these burns often require hospitalization and long-term treatment, you are entitled to benefits regardless of fault. An attorney can help you ensure your claim accurately reflects the severity of your injury.
Employers are required under OSHA to provide appropriate personal protective equipment for the specific hazards present in your work environment. If you were injured because your gloves were not suited for the task, this may indicate a failure in safety protocols. An attorney can help you document these lapses to strengthen your claim for benefits.
While Workers' Compensation is typically the primary path for recovery, third-party claims may be possible if a defective product or equipment failure caused your injury. This is a complex area of law that depends on the specific circumstances of your accident. An attorney can help you evaluate whether a third-party liability claim is appropriate in your situation.
Recovery time varies significantly based on the depth of the burn and the body parts affected, such as your fingers. Many of these injuries require surgical intervention or skin grafts, which can lead to extended time away from work. An attorney can help you calculate the full extent of your damages to ensure you receive fair compensation.