How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 266 severe incidents involving heating and cooking machinery over the past decade. These accidents frequently result in thermal burns and amputations, which are among the most debilitating injuries you can sustain on the job.
The severity of these incidents is reflected in the high frequency of finger injuries. You may face long-term physical impairment and complex recovery processes after coming into contact with high-heat industrial equipment.
How these injuries happen
Injuries involving heating and cooking machinery most often occur when you are caught or entangled in running powered equipment during normal operations, accounting for 24% of incidents. Contact with hot surfaces or substances is another primary cause, responsible for 22% of cases. These accidents frequently happen when safety guards are bypassed, machines are not properly locked out during maintenance, or equipment is handled without adequate training.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caught, entangled in running powered equipment— normal operation | 62 |
| 2 | Contact with hot objects or substances | 58 |
| 3 | Struck by falling object | 30 |
| 4 | Direct exposure to electricity | 17 |
| 5 | Compressed between running equipment and other object(s) | 16 |
| 6 | Other fall to lower level | 11 |
| 7 | Explosion— n.e.c. | 11 |
| 8 | Struck by running powered equipment— unspecified | 10 |
Where injuries happen most
Manufacturing accounts for 40% of all reported incidents, as you interact with high-heat machinery like autoclaves and industrial ovens daily. Accommodation and food services represent the second-highest sector at 18%, where the fast-paced environment and reliance on heavy-duty cooking appliances create significant risks for thermal burns and crushing injuries.
Real cases like yours
Reports from the field consistently show that injuries often occur during routine maintenance, cleaning, or the manual movement of heavy heating units. Common patterns include finger amputations when machine guards are absent or bypassed, and fractures caused by heavy appliances falling during installation or transport. 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 | NY | Real Estate | "An employee was working with a co-worker to unload an industrial oven from a box truck. The oven fell and struck the employee, resulting in hospitalization for two fractured ribs and three fractured vertebrae." | |
| 2025 | OH | Manufacturing | "On July 5, 2025, an employee was working to lubricate the chain on an autoclave machine in the coating factory. Their left index finger was caught in the machine resulting in surgical amputation at the first joint. The machine was guarded at the time, but was not locked out/tagged out." | |
| 2025 | NJ | Manufacturing | "A STERIS installer had uncrated a drying cabinet and was working with a STERIS installation specialist to tilt the cabinet up. As the unit was being tilted up, it slid forward, causing both employees to lose balance. The drying cabinet fell on the installer s right middle finger, resulting in an open fracture and amputation of the distal fingertip." | |
| 2025 | FL | Accommodation & Food Services | "An employee was lifting a hot chocolate machine when he lost his grip and the machine fell on his right leg/foot. The employee sustained fractures to his right tibia and fibula." | |
| 2025 | TX | Utilities | "An employee was lighting a tankless water heater when an explosion occurred and the employee was burned." | |
| 2025 | TX | Manufacturing | "An employee was greasing a furnace when their left index finger was caught in a gear and amputated." | |
| 2025 | FL | Other Services | "An employee was performing sheet pressing. The employee reached down to the right to get a sheet. The damp sheets were heavy and the employee placed his left arm on the lower presser. The employee reached to remove the cover from the bin to get a sheet when the unguarded switch was inadvertently activated causing the presser to actuate the upper press. The upper presser closed down on the employee's arm resulting in hospitalization with burns." | |
| 2025 | FL | Wholesale Trade | "An employee was cutting the cord of a microwave that was intended for recycling. The cord became tangled in one of the employee's boots, causing him to fall. The microwave then fell on top of the employee, striking his right shoulder. The employee required shoulder surgery." | |
| 2024 | TX | Manufacturing | "An employee was using an overhead crane move a cover plate for a zinc kettle. Steel plates on the floor next to the kettle, used for access to the burner assemblies below, provided the walking/working surface. The plates had been removed earlier in the day and the employee fell through a gap. The burners were not on at the time. He suffered three broken ribs and a laceration on the back of his head that required stitches." | |
| 2024 | IL | Accommodation & Food Services | "An employee was standing on a cook range to change out hood vents when their foot slipped into a blancher. The employee sustained burns to their right foot from the hot water." |
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 sustain while performing job duties. If you were burned by a heating appliance while working, you are generally entitled to benefits regardless of who was at fault. An attorney can help you document your injury and ensure your claim is processed correctly.
Employers are strictly required to provide and maintain machine guarding under OSHA standards. If a machine lacked necessary guards or if lockout/tagout procedures were ignored, your employer may be in violation of safety regulations. An attorney can help you investigate whether these failures contributed to your injury and help you pursue the full benefits you deserve.
Amputations are considered severe injuries and are typically covered under Workers' Compensation, often qualifying for specific disability benefits. These cases require precise medical documentation and an understanding of how the injury impacts your future earning capacity. An attorney can help you navigate the complex requirements for permanent partial disability claims.
You do not necessarily need to prove fault to receive standard Workers' Compensation benefits, but documenting the equipment's condition is vital. Evidence such as photos of the machine, maintenance logs, and witness statements can be critical if your claim is denied or if you pursue additional legal action. An attorney can help you gather this evidence to build a strong case.