Page 42 - Occupational Health & Safety, August 2018

HAND PROTECTION
Take Matters into Your Own Hands: Understanding Hand Injuries in the Workplace
All too often, hand injuries occur when employees are distracted and aren’t focused on where they are or what they’re doing. It’s incredibly important for employers to eliminate as many distractions as possible.
BY AMY MEISTER
The hands are one of a worker’s most valuable tools, used for everything from threading delicate electrical wires to cutting through a thick steel pipe. Yet, despite how often the hands are used, hand safety and injury prevention can often be overlooked by both employers and employees.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 1 million workers are sent to the emergency room each year because of serious hand injuries. From lacerations and cuts to burns and bro- ken bones, these injuries can be costly for employers. In 2011, the National Safety Council estimated the cost of hand injuries, and the results may be surpris- ing to some employers: The direct cost of a laceration can be $10,000, stitches are often $2,000, and a sev- ered tendon can be more than $70,000. It’s also im- portant to note that these numbers don’t account for the indirect costs, like time away from work and lost productivity due to long-term damage, that are asso- ciated with even minor hand injuries.
The good news is that with the right tools, re- sources and education, many workplace hand injuries can be prevented. In order to protect employees from injury and reduce workers’ compensation costs, em- ployers need to first understand the who, what, where, when, and why of hand injuries.
Who is At Risk for Hand Injuries?
Everyone is potentially at risk for hand injuries. Re- gardless of gender, age, or industry, employers should always take steps to protect employees from even minor bumps and bruises. However, there are cer- tain groups of employees who may be at a higher risk. Less-experienced workers, for example, or those whom the Occupational Safety and Health Adminis- tration considers to be new to the workforce, may be at higher risk for injuries at work. Whether it’s due to less on-the-job experience or a heightened sense of pressure to complete tasks quickly, employers should take special care especially with less-experienced workers. Make sure new hires feel comfortable speak- ing up about safety concerns and create a comfortable work environment where questions are both welcome and encouraged. Safety training is also an important step, especially for younger workers who are new to
the industry and unfamiliar with common, and po- tentially hazardous, machinery and tools.
Employers also should take steps to make sure workers over the age of 55 are protected. While less likely to be injured on the job given their level of ex- perience, workers in this age group often require a longer recovery time and may sustain more serious injuries when they do get hurt at work. According to BLS, workers ages 55 and older can require a me- dian of 12 to 14 days away from work after a non-fatal injury, while workers between the ages of 20 and 44 typically require only 5 to 9 days. This may result in costs stemming from days off work and lost produc- tivity. Employers can help workers in this age group prevent injury by implementing a workplace well- ness program that encourages a focus on ergonomics, stretching, and healthy lifestyles. Pay special attention to any previous injuries or illnesses that may make it difficult for any worker to properly lift heavy objects or see thin blades on a piece of machinery.
What Types of Hand Injuries
Are the Most Common?
The hands are incredibly versatile, but they’re also exposed to a variety of threats that can result in in- juries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to serious lacerations and burns. Some of those injuries include lacerations, crushes, avulsions or detachments, punc- tures, and fractures.
1. Lacerations
Lacerations are deep cuts or tears in the flesh. While most lacerations are easily treated, nerve or tendon damage is possible if the cut is deep. This can result in longer recovery time and possible long- term damage.
2. Crushes
Crushes occur when a body part—in this case, the hand, wrist, or arm—is caught between heavy equip- ment or machinery and another hard surface, like the floor or a wall. Depending on severity, this type of in- jury often causes permanent damage, particularly in cases where the crush injury prevents blood supply to the muscles.
3. Avulsion fractures or detachments
Avulsion fractures are fractures that occur when
38 Occupational Health & Safety | AUGUST 2018
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