Prevent Workplace Amputations

When Arizona residents go to work each morning, they may know that incurring an injury is possible. However, many people may not expect to experience an amputation at work, so it is important to know how these incidents occur.

Even with increased safety standards, workplace amputations still occur. The Amputee Coalition says that 1 in 20,000 employees suffered an amputation at work in 2017. If people work in certain industries, it may be more likely that they will experience an amputation. In 2016, there were 2.1 amputations per 10,000 workers in the manufacturing industry. Employees in forestry and agriculture experienced 1.4 amputations per 10,000 workers. Because this kind of workplace injury can still occur, it is important for people to know how they can keep themselves safe on the job.

If people want to be safe at work, they usually need to know which situations might result in an amputation. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, mechanical motion can be dangerous when people work near machines without the proper safety precautions. Employees might get hurt if they work near rotating equipment that might snag their clothing or when they are near machines that are cutting different materials. Additionally, it can be hazardous for people to work near equipment that goes back and forth between a fixed part and moving part, as they may accidentally get caught between the parts.

While people have to use the proper precautions while the machines are on, it is also important to be careful when setting up equipment. Cleaning and adjusting machine parts may result in an amputation if people are not careful. Before people work on new machines, they should usually make sure they have proper training so they know what to expect. Additionally, it is a good idea to make sure all machines have safety controls, such as guards. These guards are typically physical barriers that keep a worker’s hands and clothing away from the equipment.