Preventing hand and finger injuries graphic

What are the common causes of hand and finger injuries at work and how can we mitigate the risk of these injuries using the Hierarchy of Controls?

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Our hands, wrists, fingers, and thumbs are not just tools; they are essential to our daily activities. However, in work environments, they become vulnerable to a range of injuries which range from minor cuts, strains, and sprains that may temporarily hamper productivity to catastrophic crush injuries or amputations that alter lives forever.

Hand and finger injuries hold immense power over a worker’s well-being and livelihood. The significance of protecting these intricate body parts cannot be overstated.

To comprehend the gravity of hand and finger injuries, let’s examine some relevant statistics:

  • WorkSafe Victoria accepted 137 claims for workplace amputation injuries in 2022, resulting in over 150 amputated body parts, including at least 127 fingers or thumbs. These incidents primarily occurred due to fingers being caught or crushed in machinery or severed while using a saw.
  • In New South Wales (NSW), from January to July 2019, icare received 13,317 claims related to arm, shoulder, and hand injuries.
  • In Western Australia (WA), during the 2018/19 period, hand injury claims accounted for 18% of all claims lodged in the workers’ compensation scheme, totalling 4,786 claims.

When it comes to the safety of our hands and fingers at the workplace, prevention is key. We can mitigate the risks using an approach called the ‘Hierarchy of Controls’. This effective strategy helps us to establish multiple layers of defence against potential hazards.

Common causes of hand and finger injuries at work and their impact.

Click on a cause to find out more

HAV occurs when vibrations are transmitted to the hand and arm while using hand-held power tools or hand-guided machinery such as jackhammers, chainsaws, grinders, drills, riveters, and impact wrenches. The effects of HAV on the hand and arm can be significant and include disrupted circulation, nerve damage, tingling and numbness, and damage to tendons, muscles, bones, joints and the musculoskeletal system.

HAV can also lead to debilitating disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome affecting a person’s ability to perform tasks requiring fine motor skills. It can also lead to vibration white finger which reduces blood flow to the fingers, leading to changes in skin colour, blanching, pain and difficulty gripping objects and performing tasks that require manual dexterity.

A leading cause of work-related hand and wrist injuries is the improper use of sharp-edged tools, with knives being particularly hazardous. Inadequate training, improper technique, or lack of appropriate protective equipment can contribute to these injuries.

Hand injuries can occur when they are caught, crushed, jammed, or pinched between objects. Common scenarios include incidents involving tools, heavy machinery, closing doors, or moving objects.

Contact with powered hand tools and machinery poses a significant risk to hand and finger safety. Workers using drills, saws, grinders, or other power tools must receive proper training on their safe operation.

Jobs in industries such as construction, manufacturing, agriculture and waste management pose a risk of foreign objects penetrating the skin resulting in puncture wounds, infections, or other complications.

Exposure to hot surfaces, flames, chemicals, or electrical sources can result in burns or thermal injuries to the hands and fingers.

Repetitive motions, forceful exertions, and awkward hand positions can lead to RSIs such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis or trigger finger. These injuries develop over time due to prolonged and repetitive use of the hands and fingers and can even happen to desk-based workers using computers.

How to mitigate the risk of hand and finger injuries using the Hierarchy of Controls

The goal of this approach is to move as high as possible up the hierarchy. The higher the control method on the hierarchy, the better the level of protection.

Here’s a handy guide to illustrate how the Hierarchy of Controls can be applied to hand and finger safety in the workplace:

Elimination: Remove the hazard from the workplace

Identify tasks or processes that require direct hand involvement and explore options to make them hands-free. This can involve automation, robotics, or the use of specialised tools or equipment that eliminate the need for manual hand manipulation.

Substitution: Use a less hazardous option

Substituting hazardous tools or equipment with less hazardous alternatives is an effective strategy. For example, replacing vibrating tools with non-vibrating tools can significantly reduce the risk of HAV-related injuries and using rounded-edge tools instead of sharp-edged tools can minimise the likelihood of cuts and lacerations.

Isolation: Use barriers to shield or isolate hazards

Isolating hand and finger hazards can be achieved through the use of barriers and guards. Employers should ensure that safety features, such as machine guards, emergency stop buttons and interlocks are in place and functioning correctly. These measures help prevent direct contact with hazardous moving parts and minimise the risk of hand and finger injuries.

Engineering: Design, install and use equipment and tools to counteract the hazard

Employers should prioritise the design and use equipment and tools that counteract hand and finger hazards including incorporating ergonomic features into workstations and tool designs that reduce strain on the hands and fingers and adjustable work surfaces.

Administration: Use systems of work to control the risk

These can include:

Training and Education:
Employers have a legal obligation to train their workforce to perform their work safely and thorough training programs need to be provided to educate workers about potential hazards, safe work practices, and the correct use of tools and equipment. Employers should emphasise the importance of maintaining a safe distance from moving parts, using caution around machinery, and employing proper lifting techniques and body mechanics to prevent injuries. Ongoing refresher courses can reinforce safety protocols and enhance workers’ awareness of hand and finger injury prevention.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):
Developing and implementing clear SOPs that outline safe work procedures, including steps to prevent hand and finger injuries. SOPs should cover proper tool usage, handling sharp objects, and following ergonomic principles.

Proactive Equipment Maintenance and Inspections:
Incorporating regular maintenance and inspection schedules into the work planning and scheduling process, employers can ensure that equipment is regularly checked, inspected and maintained for any safety issues or potential hazards related to hand and finger injuries. This allows for the timely identification and resolution of safety concerns, minimizing the risk of accidents or injuries.

Work Planning and Scheduling:
Efficiently organising work tasks to minimise exposure to hazards can involve job rotation, task variation, and optimising workloads to prevent overexertion, fatigue and reduce the risk of repetitive motion injuries or incidents.

Regulatory Compliance:
Ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety regulations and standards to maintain a safe working environment. This includes regular inspections and audits to identify and rectify any potential hand and finger injury hazards.

Management and Supervision:
Providing active leadership and supervision to promote safety, set clear expectations, address safety concerns, and reinforce safe work practices. Managers and supervisors should lead by example and actively engage workers in safety initiatives.

PPE: Providing workers with Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) plays an essential role in safeguarding hands and fingers. Workers should wear appropriate PPE, such as cut-resistant, impact-resistant, or puncture-resistant gloves based on the specific tasks and potential hazards involved. PPE should be rated to Australian standards, provided as required and thoroughly checked and maintained

Safety Culture and Leadership is essential – are you and your team doing all they can?

Creating a strong safety culture that prevents these injuries begins with leadership. When managers and supervisors prioritise safety, set clear expectations, and actively engage employees in safety initiatives, a positive shift occurs. Open lines of communication and regular safety meetings foster a shared responsibility for hand and finger injury prevention. Leaders who lead by example, actively address safety concerns, and encourage reporting of near misses empower their workforce to prioritise safety every day.

Safety Dimensions offer a range of programs to support you and your team to prioritise safety and prevent life-altering hand and finger injuries so you can create workplace where everyone goes home with their most valuable tools intact.

Resources:

Safe Work Australia: Work-related hand and wrist injuries in Australia

icare NSW: What are the most common work injuries in NSW?

WorkCover WA: Hand injuries

Safe Work Australia: Hand-Arm Vibration Information Sheet

Safety DimensionsTime to take safety seriously?
Safety Dimensions offer a range of programs and customised options to support you and your team in work health & safety, hazard identification, risk management, fit for work and safety leadership.

Call 03 9510 0477 or contact us here.

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