Page 67 - Occupational Health & Safety, July/August 2019

position and abduction is impaired.
Recovery and Rehab Basics
1. Tendons
■ Splints help prevent the repaired tendons being over-
stretched. This may last three to six weeks.
■ Post tendon surgery, people can expect tendons to be back
at full strength after 12 weeks, but it may take up to six months to regain the full range of movement. Expect to resume light du- ties after 6-8 weeks, with heavy activity delayed until after the 10- week mark.
2. Soft tissue
■ Sprains and strains usually take about six weeks to heal. Af- ter 72 hours, it is important to try to start using your wrist and hand again normally to help regain full function, flexibility, and strength. Stretching exercises may be uncomfortable, but progres- sive resumption of activity will ensure strength and function return gradually.
3. Broken bones
■ Splinting for three weeks is common. If the metacarpal bones shifted or the fracture pierced the skin, it may require sur- gery. Return to work is normally between 6-8 weeks.
Simple First Aid Tips for Hand Injuries
1. Clean the wound if possible and get bleeding under control.
2. Cover the wound to prevent further contamination.
3. If there is a potential fracture or dislocation, immobilize the hand to prevent further injury.
4. If there is an amputation, elevate the hand above the heart and retrieve the amputated body part.
5. Keep amputated parts clean, damp, and cool.
6. For thermal burns, cool with water and cover the injury; for chemical burns, flush with lots of water.
7. Apply ice to decrease pain and reduce swelling.
8. Remove jewelry right away, before swelling increases.
Tips for Preventing Hand Injuries Before They Happen
1. Don’t use your hands to wipe away debris or shavings.
2. Power down (and lock out) equipment before dislodging jams. 3. Take your time to establish a proper grip when moving materials, especially ones that can roll.
4. Housekeeping helps—trips and falls are a common cause of hand injuries.
5. Wear PPE that is properly sized and appropriately matched to the job hazard.
Jennifer Choi is Vice President of Business Development at Cestus Armored Gloves of Vancouver, Wash. Her role in strategic account management includes hazard assessment, root cause and incident trend analysis, product evolution projects, and change management.
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Circle 9 on card.