Workplace accidents in New York can be serious, and one of the most brutal types of injuries that you can receive at work is a workplace amputation injury. While you can’t ever completely eliminate the potential of a workplace amputation, knowing about where they occur and some safety practices can help you prevent yourself from being injured.
Where amputation injuries occur
The point of operation, such as where a machine is cutting or bending a material, is one place that amputation injuries are common. Factories or warehouses where there are pulleys, belts, chains, and flywheels that are moving is another place that you could get an amputation injury. Machinery with parts that reciprocate or rotate could cause an amputation injury.
Things you can do to lessen the likelihood of an amputation injury
One thing that workplaces can do is eliminate any machines that could cause workplace amputations if they’re not necessary, and this could lessen workers’ compensation claims, too. Companies can also use guards, barriers, and devices that ensure that the operator’s hands are out of the way with machines that pose a threat of injury. Lock out/tag out systems should be used with systems with moving parts when they need servicing. And individuals should avoid wearing loose clothing that could pull their hands and other body parts into moving equipment. People should also heed the warnings of signs and barriers as well as never stick hands where they’re not visible.
There’s workers’ compensation if you’re ever injured at work
If you ever experience a workplace injury, know that there’s a workers’ compensation process that you’re entitled to. The first step is to inform your employer, and it’s important to be timely with this step. From there, the claim will be evaluated, and the employee could receive reimbursement or be denied their claim.
When you work in a place where you could be hurt, including amputation, you should look into ways that you can avoid the injury in the first place. But if you are injured, make sure that you look into ways to offset the cost of your medical care.