Depending on your profession, you may work with your hands every day. This holds true for construction workers, warehouse workers and industrial workers among others.
It’s easy to believe that you will never suffer a hand injury, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. By taking a few basic steps every day, you can decrease the likelihood of an accident that causes injury:
- Wear appropriate gloves, especially when lifting objects and using power tools
- Never wear gloves around a machine that could catch the glove and pull the hand into a dangerous position
- Use machinery guards when available
- Keep your hands free of oil, grease and any other sticky or slippery substance
- Don’t wear any jewelry, such as rings or bracelets, when working
- Don’t use any tool that is defective or missing parts
By following these basic tips, it’s much easier to protect your hands and avoid a serious injury.
There are many types of hand injuries, ranging from broken bones to disfigurement among others.
If you suffer this type of injury on the job, it’s imperative to remain where you are until help arrives. During this period, be sure to receive first aid to stabilize your injury.
Once you know your injury and the type of treatment you require, you may find that you are unable to return to work in the near future. This could result in a workers’ compensation claim.
If for any reason your claim is denied, such as an employer who states that you were not injured on the job, collect more information and then move forward with the appeals process.
Source: Abrill, “Workplace Safety – Avoiding Hand Injuries,” accessed Aug. 24, 2017