Is a cut a workplace injury?

Is a cut a workplace injury?

Workplace injuries may be acute, meaning the injury just happened and is apparent, like a sprained ankle or cut to the hand. Or there may be a latency period that may have developed over time, like repetitive strain injuries or mental health injuries.

How do you prevent cuts and lacerations in the workplace?

Wear proper personal protective equipment, including eye protection, gloves and long sleeves. Use the proper tool for the job at hand. Keep the work area clear. Use a sharp blade; a dull blade means a worker has to exert more force when cutting, increasing the risk of an injury.

What to do if you get a cut at work?

If the cut is bleeding, apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth, piece of gauze, or tissue. Wash your hands before caring for a cut. Remember, the solution to pollution is dilution! Clean the wound by flushing it thoroughly with room temperature tap water. Pat the area dry and apply a sterile bandage.

Are required to protect workers from cuts?

OSHA states, “Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees’ hands are exposed to hazards such as those from . . . severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions (and) punctures. . . .

What is the difference between a laceration and a cut?

The words “cut” and “laceration” are often interchangeable. Both words indicate that your skin has been damaged by a sharp object, like a knife or shard of glass. In most cases, the wound will bleed. However, a cut is usually referred to as being a minor wound while a laceration is often more serious.

What workplace injuries must be reported to OSHA?

All employers are required to notify OSHA when an employee is killed on the job or suffers a work-related hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye. A fatality must be reported within 8 hours. An in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or eye loss must be reported within 24 hours.

How are lacerations caused?

A laceration or cut refers to a skin wound. Unlike an abrasion, none of the skin is missing. A cut is typically thought of as a wound caused by a sharp object, like a shard of glass. Lacerations tend to be caused by blunt trauma.

What can you do to prevent cuts?

Household Safety: Preventing Cuts

1. Keep knives, forks, scissors, and other sharp utensils in a drawer with a safety latch.
2. Keep glass objects, such as drinking glasses and bowls, in a high cabinet far from reach.
3. Store appliances with sharp blades (like blenders or food processors) far from reach or in a locked cabinet.

When should an employee report any cuts or infections?

Each recordable injury or illness case must be recorded on the OSHA 300 Log and the Form 301 Incident Report within seven calendar days after the employer receives notice that the injury or illness occurred.

What should you not do with a cut?

Don’ts of wound care at home

1. Apply a topical antibiotic without consulting a physician.
2. Douse a small scrape or any minor wound with commercial antiseptics such as iodine.
3. Scratch, pick, or rub the wound site.
4. Touch your wound with your bare hands.
5. Take a bath without wound protection.

What are the risk of cuts?

Typical hazards/causes of cuts and lacerations: Lack of established safety procedures. Employees in a hurry, taking short cuts or not following safety procedures. Failure to wear cut-resistant gloves or wearing improper gloves for job.

What are cuts lacerations?

A cut is defined as a skin wound with separation of the connective tissue elements. The wound is caused by a sharp object such as a knife or shard of glass. A laceration implies a cut with a torn or jagged wound that is caused by a sharp object.

What should employers do to prevent cuts and lacerations?

To help minimize cuts and lacerations, employers should establish work procedures to identify and control the hazards, the bureau states. Wear proper personal protective equipment, including eye protection, gloves and long sleeves. Use the proper tool for the job at hand. Keep the work area clear.

What should I wear to prevent cuts at work?

Depending on the work being done, there is a variety of protective gear that can help prevent cuts and lacerations. This gear includes gloves, eye protection, and long sleeve shirts. Protective gloves need to be cut-resistant so that even an accident has less of a chance of causing injury.

How often do you get cuts in the workplace?

Although statistical data differs from study to study, cuts and lacerations often rank as the second or third most frequent workplace injury. Approximately 30 percent of all workplace injuries involve cuts or lacerations, and about 70 percent of those injuries are to the hands or fingers.

What are the most common cuts and lacerations?

Common cut/laceration injuries (use examples relevant to your operations) include: Scratches and abrasions, or minor cuts requiring first aid; Needle sticks, or puncture wounds; Deep lacerations requiring medical attention, sutures; Lacerations involving nerve and/or tendon damage; Amputations.

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