Cuts & lacerations Injuries FAQs

What occupations face the highest risk of receiving cuts and lacerations?

Some specific occupations are more at risk of receiving a laceration:

• Cooks and chefs – when dishes are broken or when preparing food / Butchers – with the use of sharp knives and machines used to cut meat / Servers and wait staff – their line of work is exposed to cut and laceration hazards / Construction workers and roofers – construction sites can be hazardous and may cause lethal injuries

What are the most common causes of cuts and lacerations in the workplace?

Some of the possible causes of these injuries include:

• Inadequate training, Lack of safety procedures, Rushing through work tasks, Not wearing proper protection, Equipment that’s not correctly adjusted or maintained

How can employers prevent cuts and lacerations?

To minimize the risk for cuts and lacerations, employers should establish work procedures that will help them identify and control these hazards. It’s crucial that body parts are kept away from hazards. Some control measures employers can implement include:

• Training employees to follow work procedures, Keep adequate machine guarding, Wear personal protective equipment, Inspect tools prior to use and use them safely, Use the required tools for the job, Keep the item you are using secured, Replace blades when they become dull, Stand in a well-balanced position

What are the most common treatments available for cuts and lacerations?

The most common treatments for these injuries include ointments, stitching up the wounds and antibiotic treatments. Blood transfusions to replace blood loss and skin grafting to aid with wound healing may be needed for severe injuries. The most severe cases may require amputation to prevent infections and life-threatening situations.

What does the recovery process look like?

Recovery can be extensive requiring medication to prevent infection, bandaging to ensure the patient heals properly, and physical therapy to gain mobility following ligament damage. Recovery may require the patient to take time off work, which will result in wage loss and emotional distress. Thankfully, workers’ comp may be available for your specific circumstances. Call a Miami workers comp attorney to find out more!