A crush injury is the result of physical trauma from prolonged compression of parts of the body such as the hands and fingers. The resulting trauma to the soft tissues, muscles, and nerves is a major concern to workers, safety managers, and organizations alike.
For example, during construction and maintenance of utility and public works infrastructure, workers operating heavy machinery with moving parts or pneumatic equipment put their hands at risk of crush and pinch injuries. In oil & gas operations, where high-risk activities are performed daily during exploration, construction, drilling, production, transportation, and refining, work is often done in extreme environments, and hands may easily be exposed to hazards that cause crush and pinch injuries.
Heavy equipment and pallet-related incidents are the leading cause of injury and oftentimes death.
Workers are at risk of being crushed or run over by forklifts, falling between the trailer and the lift, or falling from an elevated platform. These accidents usually happen due to a crowded work environment, inadequate safety training, and a lack of proper safety equipment.
Crush injuries in the workplace can also occur as a result of slips, trips, and falls. Such incidents can be caused by slippery or uneven floors and accumulations of dirt, debris, grease, or cables in walking areas.
OSHA explains that “Slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents. They cause 15% of all accidental deaths and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities.
In construction sites, there is always a great risk of items falling off scaffolding or falling during excavation work.
These types of injuries are can be preventing with the use of proper safety equipment. As avoidable as it may sound, accidents like this can easily take place, especially in a large work environment.
Injuries can occur in a warehouse or construction site for workers that may regularly use heavy machinery.
In industrial settings, worker hands can easily become crushed by machines or power tools, if the proper protection solutions are not worn.
Our proprietary service AnsellGUARDIAN® can help companies assess their workplace safety and select the right Personal Protective Equipment solution and improve worker safety and business performance. Request an assessment to learn how an AnsellGUARDIAN® assessment can increase workplace safety.
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