The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports in a new study that cuts and laceration injuries – some of the most common work injuries to the hands – accounted for 4,120 job transfer or restriction cases in 2012.

Cuts and lacerations on average resulted in six working days lost to job transfer or restrictions for the injured worker.

Sprains, strains and tears, which also can include injuries to the wrist and hand ligament damage, were more common injuries in 2012, according to the BLS research. Approximately 8,000 cases of sprains, strains and tears required job transfer or restriction in 2012. These injuries proved to be more serious in terms of healing time – on average 14 work days were lost to job transfer or restrictions for the injured worker.

You can see the productivity hit in lost work time or restricted work that occurs when workers’ hands are injured on the job.