Humans are well-equipped to carry out complex tasks and many of these assignments are completed by using the hands and fingers. Whatever type of work you do, your hands will be pivotal in your processes.
Unfortunately, the hands and fingers can be vulnerable to injuries especially when they are utilized in manual labor. The most serious type of injury that can occur in this area is amputation. Amputations can be partial (meaning that part of the finger is severely damaged but still intact) or complete (which means an entire section of the finger is severed).
How do these injuries happen in the workplace? Here are some common causes:
The use of power tools
Power tools have made certain jobs so much easier. However, as the name suggests, much of this machinery is highly powered. This means that the stakes are high if something goes wrong. A faulty saw might slip and sever the finger in no time at all. A safety guard might fail, or not be there at all, meaning that the fingers are exposed to sharp instruments.
Falls forward onto hands
When we fall we tend to brace ourselves by using our hands. We also used our hands to try and regain balance. Sometimes, this is successful and a serious accident is avoided. Often, this isn’t the case though and the fingers might be injured while an individual tries to protect themself.
Your employer has a duty to ensure that you are as safe as possible in the workplace. If you have been injured on the job, then you may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim which can relieve some of the financial pressure of your accident.
