What are thermal contact burns caused by?

Thermal contact burns occur when skin comes into direct contact with heated objects, leading to injury from the high temperatures of those surfaces. In the context of electrical work, this can happen during an arc when equipment or conductors reach excessively high temperatures. An arc flash, for instance, can generate intense heat, causing nearby conductive parts or tools to become heated enough to burn skin on contact.

The other choices, while they pertain to electrical safety, do not specifically relate to the concept of thermal contact burns. Static electricity might cause a shock sensation but does not involve thermal burns. Exposure to high voltage primarily concerns electrical shock hazards rather than burns from contact with heat. Lastly, while faulty tools can pose risks, the burns described specifically stem from the effects of heat rather than from tool malfunctions themselves. Thus, the connection between direct contact with heated objects during an arc and thermal burns solidifies option B as the correct answer.