Effective workplace injury management can keep employees safe on the job. Certain workers benefit from this service more than others, including those who are prone to hand injuries in the workplace.
What kinds of hand injuries are most common? How can you increase occupational safety at your business? Get answers to these questions and more below.
Exploring Repetitive Strain Injuries
You don’t necessarily have to get your hands dirty to be at risk for a workplace injury. For instance, your hands and wrists might feel sore after spending all day typing on your computer.
The strain of such repeated motions could eventually cause nerve damage. As a result, you may be diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome or a similar condition.
Prioritize good ergonomics to lower the risk of hand pain. This may include stretching the muscles or taking breaks throughout the day. Managing these injuries is crucial, as the pain could affect productivity and impact your way of life.
Trauma Causes Various Hand Injuries in the Workplace
While repetitive strain injuries come on gradually, trauma causes an immediate impact. Countless workplace hazards can lead to traumatic hand and wrist injuries. The most common ones include:
- Bone fractures: A slip and fall may cause you to land on your hand and break delicate bones.
- Lacerations: Any sharp object could cut your skin. In severe cases, the laceration may require stitches.
- Burns: Exposure to fire, chemicals, or scalding hot objects may burn your hand. Be mindful of these workplace hazards while on the job.
- Crush injuries: Large objects could cause extensive nerve damage if they compress the hand.
- Amputation: Heavy-duty machinery could amputate one’s hand, emphasizing the importance of proper safety precautions.
Which Industries Are Most At Risk?
From lacerations and fractures to burns and crush injuries, workers across multiple industries may endure trauma to their hands. You may be more likely to experience hand injuries in the workplace if you’re a part of the following industries:
- Construction: Crush injuries pose a significant danger to construction workers, given the potential for heavy objects to fall. Various machines and sharp equipment could also lead to hand lacerations.
- Healthcare: Needles, scalpels, and other sharp objects pose a threat to healthcare workers.
- Manufacturing: Incorrectly operating tools and machinery may cause factory workers to sustain serious injuries.
- Food service: Restaurant staff, especially cooks, may be at risk of burns inside the kitchen or accidental lacerations while cutting and preparing food.
How To Reduce the Risk of Workplace Injuries
It doesn’t matter if you belong to any of the industries most at risk. All businesses benefit from preventing hand injuries in the workplace, among other bodily injuries. How exactly can you stay safe at work?
Offer and Use Protective Equipment
Imagine a laboratory containing various chemicals, some of which may burn the skin upon exposure. Would an employee be expected to handle them without the proper safety gear?
If a job involves various safety hazards, the business should provide protective equipment and encourage employees to use it. This could help protect the employer from any liability and give the employees peace of mind.
Prioritize Employee Training
Did you know that many hand injuries in the workplace occur because of insufficient training? All workers should understand the dangers associated with their job and the protocols in place to ensure their safety.
For example, a factory worker in charge of heavy-duty machinery may face a higher risk of injury compared to their coworkers. They should undergo extensive training before beginning their role. Consider offering periodic training to keep every staff member up to date on the latest safety protocols.
Evaluate Current Safety Measures
If you want to reduce the number of employees who sustain hand injuries in the workplace, it may be time to review your current practices. Perhaps you have defective machinery that has caused multiple crush injuries or lacerations. Upgrading the machinery and developing new training methods could be a step in the right direction.
What if slip-and-fall accidents occur in one part of the building more than others? This could be due to insufficient lighting, uneven flooring, or other conditions. Determine the cause of each accident and take steps to prevent them from happening again.
Keep Your Staff Safe and Healthy With WorkSafe
Preventing carpal tunnel syndrome and other hand injuries in the workplace can seem difficult. WorkSafe makes it easier with personalized services. From physical therapy to ergonomics evaluations and more, our experts have your solution to common work-related injuries.
Are you ready to protect your staff? Contact us online or call (316) 262-8800 to get started.