Diabetes and Burns: An Overlooked Workplace Risk

Angelica Lawson
11 Nov 2024
5 min read

Diabetes and burns may seem unrelated, but they’re actually connected and can increase the risk of serious accidents and injuries for your employees. Coffrey (2016) analyzed the National Burn Repository Data (2002–2011) and found that diabetes was present in 13.2% of burned patients under 65 years of age and in 30.27% of those aged 65 and older, representing a significantly higher rate than observed in the general public.

This connection arises because high blood sugar levels in diabetes can damage the small blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. Without proper blood flow, nerves become damaged, leading to impaired function and poor circulation, which often results in feelings of coldness, particularly in the feet.

With damaged nerves, individuals may lose sensation and may not be aware they are being burned or exposing themselves to dangerous heat. Consequently, doctors frequently encounter patients with burns caused by attempts to warm their legs and feet using hot water, heating pads, or by propping them against heaters and radiators.

While small burns may seem minor, they can quickly become severe, especially for diabetics. The MedStar Health Burn Center (2017) found that 1 in every 10 patients with diabetes who burned their feet required an amputation. Moreover, numerous studies have highlighted the severe complications associated with diabetes and burn injuries, including delayed wound healing, infections, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare resource utilization (Sayampanathan, 2016; Kimball et al., 2013; Schwartz et al., 2011; Ray et al., 2017).

Locating where burn accidents and injuries can occur

Employers are responsible for proactively mitigating risks, including those related to accidents and injuries associated with diabetes. Below are some common workplace locations where undiagnosed or diagnosed prediabetics and diabetics face an increased risk of severe burn incidents:

  1. Hot machinery and surfaces: In manufacturing facilities, workers may come into contact with hot equipment, machinery, or surfaces, such as furnaces, boilers, or engines.
  2. Welding and cutting operations: workers involved in welding, metal cutting, and grinding can be exposed to intense heat or sparks that may cause burns.
  3. Chemical burns: Exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as acids or caustic substances, can cause chemical burns, particularly in manufacturing and freight settings where chemicals are transported and/or used for cleaning, processing, and assembly. 
  4. Electrical burns: Contact with exposed electrical wires, faulty equipment, or electrical fires can lead to burns on various worksites. 
  5. Flammable materials: In areas where flammable liquids, gases, or materials are present, accidental ignition can lead to fires and severe burns.
  6. Steam and hot liquids: Workers may encounter burns from hot water, steam, or liquids used in manufacturing processes or construction tasks like plumbing or heating installation.

Next steps

Understanding the relationship between diabetes and burns is crucial for Health and Safety managers as it equips you to identify and mitigate relevant accidents and injuries before they occur. Proactively addressing these risks ensures not only the safety and well-being of your workforce but also reduces potential costs associated with lost productivity, medical expenses, and liability claims.

Ceratec Health can help you implement solutions like BeteCheck to early identify employees at risk for diabetes, manage symptoms, and design targeted interventions and preventive measures. By integrating BeteCheck with your Health and Safety protocols, you can reduce the likelihood of burn injuries and other complications associated with diabetes, creating a safer and more productive workplace for all.

References:

Coffey, R. A. (2016). Burn Injury and Diabetes: Description, Trends and Resource Utilization Using the National Burn Repository Data from 2002-2011 (Doctoral dissertation, The Ohio State University).

Sayampanathan, A. A. (2016). Systematic review of complications and outcomes of diabetic patients with burn trauma. Burns, 42(8), 1644-1651.

Kimball, Z., Patil, S., Mansour, H., Marano, M. A., Petrone, S. J., & Chamberlain, R. S. (2013). Clinical outcomes of isolated lower extremity or foot burns in diabetic versus non-diabetic patients: a 10-year retrospective analysis. Burns, 39(2), 279-284.

Schwartz, S. B., Rothrock, M., Barron-Vaya, Y., Bendell, C., Kamat, A., Midgett, M., ... & Yurt, R. W. (2011). Impact of diabetes on burn injury: preliminary results from prospective study. Journal of burn care & research, 32(3), 435-441.

Ray, J. J., Meizoso, J. P., Allen, C. J., Teisch, L. F., Yang, E. Y., Foong, H. Y., ... & Schulman, C. I. (2017). Admission hyperglycemia predicts infectious complications after burns. Journal of Burn Care & Research, 38(2), 85-89.