How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 64 severe cases involving workplace fires over the last decade. Thermal burns represent 81% of these incidents, often requiring extensive medical intervention and long-term recovery for you.
These incidents frequently impact your hands and arms, leading to complex medical needs. The severity of these burns often results in prolonged hospitalization and significant disruption to your physical well-being.
Common injuries
Workplace fires often stem from the mishandling of flammable materials or the failure of heating and cooking equipment. Many incidents involve the ignition of debris or the improper use of accelerants during site maintenance. These events are frequently linked to faulty electrical panels or the misuse of containers, creating environments where fire spreads rapidly and catches you off guard.
| Injury Type | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thermal burns | 52 |
| 2 | Effects of poison, toxic, or allergenic exposure— unspecified | 6 |
| 3 | Poison, toxic, or allergenic effects— other respiratory | 2 |
| 4 | Poisoning, poisoning-related asphyxia | 2 |
| 5 | Severe wounds or internal injuries and other injuries | 1 |
| 6 | Intracranial Injuries | 1 |
Where injuries happen most
Manufacturing accounts for 34% of these severe fire incidents, largely due to the presence of heavy machinery and high-energy electrical systems. Construction and health care environments also face elevated risks, as these settings often involve complex infrastructure or the storage of materials that can become fuel sources during a fire event.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports include injuries sustained during fire extinguisher training, electrical panel malfunctions, and the use of gasoline for debris management. You may suffer respiratory issues from chemical exposure or severe burns while attempting to contain small fires. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your incident.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | OH | Manufacturing | "An employee was outside, participating in fire extinguisher training onsite. She extinguished a fire and then the chemical from the fire got in her face. She started coughing and was hospitalized with trouble breathing." | |
| 2025 | FL | Manufacturing | "An employee was working on installing tubing to run electrical wiring to the other side of a building. The employee noticed smoke coming from the electrical panel and went to shut off the breaker. The electrical panel was on fire and the employee sustained burns to their right hand." | |
| 2025 | MS | Agriculture | "An employee was performing a controlled burn of brush at the end of a drainage pump using gasoline. The fire spread and the employee suffered burns to the legs and hands." | |
| 2025 | LA | Administrative Services | "An employee was using gasoline to start a fire on some wood debris and suffered burns to their right hand and forearm, resulting in hospitalization." | |
| 2025 | PA | Real Estate | "An employee was extinguishing a small ion battery fire when they began to have breathing issues, resulting in hospitalization." | |
| 2025 | FL | Health Care | "An employee was in a patient's room when a small electrical fire started. They were assisting with the fire and were exposed to smoke inhalation, resulting in hospitalization." | |
| 2024 | MS | Administrative Services | "An employee was using a torch to cut temporary support fasteners (steel bolts) on a concrete floor. Material on the floor ignited and the employee sustained burns to both hands and their right knee." | |
| 2024 | PA | Manufacturing | "An employee was burning cardboard boxes. He poured a flammable chemical on the boxes, and then his clothes caught on fire. The employee was hospitalized with second- and third-degree burns to 33% of his body." | |
| 2024 | DC | Accommodation & Food Services | "An employee was unplugging an extension cord from an outlet when it began to spark and ignited, resulting in burns to their right hand." | |
| 2024 | FL | Health Care | "On October 17, 2025, at approximately 12:17 PM, an employee was standing in front of the grill with the green cutting board in his hand. As he moved to the right, he jostled the pan of butter which dripped onto the back of the grill causing it to flame up. At this point his vape pen combusted and exploded upwards into the metal ceiling causing a cylinder-shaped indentation. The employee's chef coat caught on fire, resulting in first- and second-degree burns to his forearms as well as burns to his mouth, nose, and hands. " |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.
Frequently asked questions
Thermal burns are the most frequent injury, often affecting your hands and arms. You may also suffer from respiratory distress due to smoke inhalation or exposure to toxic chemicals released during combustion. An attorney can help you document these injuries to ensure your medical needs are fully addressed in your claim.
Employers are responsible for ensuring that all safety training is conducted in a manner that does not expose you to unnecessary harm. If a training exercise resulted in injury due to improper safety protocols or faulty equipment, you may have grounds for a claim. An attorney can help you evaluate whether your employer failed to meet safety standards during the training.
Workers' Compensation typically covers medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and a portion of lost wages while you recover from your injuries. Because burn injuries can require long-term care and multiple surgeries, it is vital to ensure your claim accounts for all future medical needs. An attorney can help you verify that your benefits accurately reflect the severity of your condition.
OSHA mandates that employers implement comprehensive fire prevention plans, maintain clear exit routes, and provide functional fire suppression equipment. Failure to maintain electrical systems or store flammable materials safely can constitute a violation of these standards. An attorney can help you determine if your employer's failure to follow these regulations contributed to your injury.