Cuts that break the skin
From a sheet of paper to a sharp knife to a saw blade, your workplace presents dozens of opportunities for cuts or penetration of the skin’s surface.
A surface cut is one that extends only into the layers of the skin. Bleeding occurs, and there may be bruising and other injuries as well. Surface cuts probably outnumber all other injuries at your place of business and usually occur on the fingers or hands.
Cuts can penetrate to blood vessels, bone, muscle, and body organs. The severity of cuts at work ranges from minor cuts that require no medical attention to extensive wounds that can sideline your employee.
A cut by a sharp edge such as a knife blade is often simpler to treat than one caused by an irregularly shaped object because with a clean cut, the edges of the wound are clearly defined and can be joined smoothly. After the cut area has been treated with a cleansing solution, stitches are applied as needed, and a bandage keeps the wound clean and contained.
A medical adhesive that does not even involve stitches may be used to “glue” the healthy skin together. Butterfly bandages, staples, and other closure devices can also promote rapid and safe healing.
OSHA has ruled that any wound requiring medical intervention is reportable as a workplace injury. The applying of stitches, metal staples, medical adhesives, and butterfly bandaids designed to close the wound are considered “medical intervention.” All such injuries are reportable. A simple bandaid or bacterial ointment applied to a cut that doesn’t need to be closed is not medical intervention, and injuries treated in this way by the plant nurse or other employee do not need to be reported.
A cut can be a serious matter when the wound is deep enough to penetrate main blood vessels or threaten the functioning of a body part. Excessive blood loss resulting from a severe cut can also be a serious problem. An ever-present problem any time the skin is broken, is the risk of infection. Redness and inflammation could be a sign of infection and should be evaluated by a qualified care provider.
Griffith Publishing 800 359-9503
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THINKING POINTS
Every year more than 1 million cuts or puncture wounds keep workers off the job one or more days. BLS
Stitches may be needed to close cuts inside the mouth. WebMD
Many cuts can be treated at home. NASD
Be sure your company's first-aid kits contain plenty of bandages and other items for treating cuts at work, advises the Texas Department of Insurance.