How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 205 severe cases involving vehicle and machinery fires over the last decade. Thermal burns account for 78% of these incidents, often resulting in tissue damage and medical complications.
These events frequently impact your hands, fingers, or facial region, leaving you with severe trauma. The intensity of these fires often leads to prolonged hospitalizations and the need for reconstructive surgery.
Common injuries
Fires in the workplace often stem from the ignition of fuel during refueling or the failure of pressurized hydraulic lines. Trucks and specialized industrial machinery are the most common sources of these incidents, as hot engine components or exhaust systems can quickly ignite spilled fluids. When maintenance protocols or equipment inspections are neglected, these machines become fire hazards.
| Injury Type | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thermal burns | 160 |
| 2 | Effects of poison, toxic, or allergenic exposure— unspecified | 15 |
| 3 | Fractures | 6 |
| 4 | Severe wounds or internal injuries and other injuries | 5 |
| 5 | Burns and toxic effects (including smoke inhalation) | 5 |
| 6 | Poisoning, poisoning-related asphyxia | 3 |
| 7 | Burns, corrosions, electrical injuries— unspecified | 2 |
| 8 | Chemical burns, corrosions | 2 |
Where injuries happen most
Manufacturing accounts for 26% of all reported fire incidents, largely due to the concentration of heavy machinery and flammable materials. Mining operations follow at 18%, where the combination of confined spaces and specialized tunneling equipment creates a risk for rapid fire spread.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports reveal that fires often occur during routine maintenance, refueling, or when hydraulic systems fail under pressure. Many incidents occur while equipment is in use or recently shut down, leaving you little time to escape. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your incident to determine your legal options.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | MS | Construction | "An employee was operating the scraper when a hydraulic line ruptured and created a flame. The employee jumped off the equipment and broke a leg." | |
| 2025 | IL | Mining | "Three employees were servicing and cleaning an oil well when a fire occurred. All three employees were burned. One employee was treated and released. Two employees were hospitalized and one hospitalized employee required surgery." | |
| 2025 | TX | Construction | "On July 18, 2025, a light-equipment operator was using a pressure washer to remove cementitious material buildup from the internal wall of a tremie pipe. The operator was refueling the pressure washer using a 5-gallon gas can. The equipment's engine and exhaust were still hot and the gasoline ignited. Flames spread to the pressure washer skid, a nearby fire extinguisher, and the operator s clothing. The operator sustained second-degree burns to approximately 35% of their body including their hands, lower abdominal area, upper thighs, and knees. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | IL | Administrative Services | "An employee was refueling a commercial-grade riding lawn mower. As he was refilling the tank, the gasoline splashed onto the muffler, which sparked and caught fire. The employee suffered burns to both thighs and the left side of his abdomen." | |
| 2025 | TX | Manufacturing | "An employee was removing burning material from a machine. While being used to extinguish a fire, the diffuser/horn of a fire extinguisher disconnected from the hose and the hose struck the employee's neck, back, side, and shoulder. The employee sustained a closed fracture of thyroid cartilage and a vertebral artery occlusion." | |
| 2025 | TX | Mining | "Employee 1 was operating a crane to move a pumping unit. Employee 2 was holding a tag line. The crane lifted the pumping unit and began rotating clockwise to place it on top of a concrete base. The front driver s side outrigger and float began to sink into the ground, causing the crane to lean over. This caused the pumping unit to swing and strike into an adjacent wellhead, breaking some piping and causing a fire. The crane then fell over and it's boom broke piping on a second wellhead, contributing further to the fire. Employee 1 fell out of the cab and crawled out of the fire. He sustained burns to his face and hands and had fractured ribs. He was hospitalized. Employee 2 was burned on his cheek, arm, and leg." | |
| 2025 | FL | Other Services | "An employee was repairing a forklift at a customer site when there was a flash fire (blowback from the throttle body), that burned their right forearm." | |
| 2025 | GA | Manufacturing | "An employee was doing brazing work on a copper line, part of a commercial refrigeration unit that was charged with propane. A blockage in one of the tubes resulted in a flame blowback. The employee suffered second-degree burns to the left side of the face and neck area. They were hospitalized, requiring surgery." | |
| 2025 | TX | Construction | "An employee was starting a large ventilation blower. Fire/gasoline shot out of the blower and burned his left shoulder and underarm." | |
| 2025 | PA | Construction | "An employee was using a saw to make cuts into concrete masonry units. The saw caught fire, which caused the employee to drop the saw and the gas cap broke. The gas spilled partially onto the employee and the fire spread to their clothing. The employee suffered burns to the waist area and was hospitalized. " |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.
Frequently asked questions
Thermal burns often lead to scarring, nerve damage, and restricted mobility depending on the depth and location of your injury. Recovery frequently requires multiple surgeries and extensive physical therapy to regain function. An attorney can help you document these medical needs to ensure your claim accounts for your future care.
Employers are required to maintain equipment in safe working order and provide proper training for refueling and maintenance tasks. If a fire resulted from a failure to perform routine inspections or address known mechanical defects, your employer may be liable for your injuries. An attorney can investigate whether safety regulations were ignored in your case.
Workers' Compensation typically covers your medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and a portion of your lost wages while you are unable to work. It is designed to provide support regardless of who was at fault for the fire. An attorney can help you navigate the claims process to ensure you receive the full benefits you are entitled to under the law.
OSHA requires employers to implement fire prevention plans, including proper storage of flammable liquids and regular maintenance of engine and hydraulic systems. Employers must also ensure that fire extinguishers are accessible and that you are trained in emergency response procedures. If these standards were not met, an attorney can help you hold the responsible parties accountable.