Each year millions of workers make the trip to the local emergency room as a result of a workplace injury. Of these injuries, one of the most common is damage to the hands or fingers. A hand injury can happen anywhere, however individuals who use their hands to perform their jobs (chefs, mechanics, machine operators) are at a greater risk of injury.
There are any number of situations which can result in an injury to the hand or fingers, however human error and faulty machinery are the most common causes. With this in mind it is imperative that employers implement safety programs that provide training to staff on proper safety measures to reduce workplace injuries. Employers must also ensure that all machinery is equipped with the necessary safety features to reduce or eliminate hand and finger injury.
Employees who are not properly trained in the use of equipment are at a great risk of injury to themselves or others. Protective gear and procedures must be followed at all times with new employees being supervised until they possess the skills and experience to properly perform their job duties without risk of injury.
When either the employer or employee fail to follow proper safety procedures to reduce hand injuries in the workplace, an accident may occur resulting in an injury. Special care must be taken when dealing with sharp objects, chemicals and moving parts of machinery to avoid an injury that can prevent a worker from performing the most basic of tasks. When this occurs as a result of a workplace accident, employees may be entitled to compensation by filing a claim.
