February 08, 2018
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics1, in 2016 there were 1,118,400 nonfatal occupational hand injuries involving days away from work in private industries in the United States. Hand injuries resulting from cuts and puncture cost the construction industry approximately $382 million each year, second only to back strain and sprain injury, according to the BLS.
The National Safety Council offers a guide to estimating costs: Direct cost of a laceration is about $10,000; stitches about $2,000 plus indirect costs; butterfly about $300; and a severed tendon about $70,000.
Protect your hands
According to the BLS, 70 percent of workers who experienced hand injuries were not wearing gloves.
To help prevent workplace injuries, OSHA’s hand protection (PPE) standard mandates that employers select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees’ hands are exposed to the following hazards: