Recent statistics indicate that 51% of occupational injuries involve the hand and fingers. The most common types of hand injuries are traumatic injuries, contact injuries and repetitive motion injuries.
Traumatic Hand Injuries
Traumatic injuries can occur from the mishandling of tools or equipment. In these instances, hands and fingers may get caught or crushed in the chains, wheels, rollers or gears of the equipment being held. To prevent these injuries, the worker should keep the hands protected, avoid using jewelry or loose clothing while operating machinery.
Contact Hand Injuries
Injuries occur when a worker comes in contact harmful or toxic substances such as solvents, flammable liquids and acids. Preventive measures include wearing the appropriate gloves or barrier cream, carefully reading a product’s labels before handling and practicing proper hygiene.
Repetitive Motion Hand Injuries
When the job entails repeated and rapid hand movements for long periods of time, injuries may occur. These often affect the circulatory and nervous system of an individual at risk. Related examples are tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and vibration white finger (VWF). Among the safety precautions are changing one’s grip or hand position and giving the hands enough time to rest in between repetitive tasks.
Source: Canada Scaffold Supply Co., Ltd.
