Losing an arm, hand, foot or leg in a workplace accident is one of the most heartbreaking things you can go through in a workplace. This may lead to trauma and other mental health issues. You may also have a hard time performing tasks that were once easy. Accordingly, you may need to switch to other duties, and can spend thousands of dollars and years getting professional help to adjust to the new life.
The Division of Workers’ Compensation protects you and other workers from such expenses by assisting you with claims. But what can put you in such danger?
The following are three work accidents that can lead to amputations.
Moving machines
If your workplace has machines, such as forklifts, grinders, conveyors, compactors and so on, you may be hit, and your limb can get trapped. This may lead to a severe injury that medical professionals may be forced to amputate.
Mechanical motions
Mechanical motions like rotations, cutting, grinding, reciprocating, punching, bending and shearing may put a worker’s limbs at risk.
Falling objects
Employees in workplaces with objects at higher levels, such as construction sites or warehouses may get into an accident involving a falling object. If a heavy object falls on an employee’s limb, they may be at risk of amputation.
Why do these accidents happen?
Work-related amputations occur due to poor safeguarding. Machines should be stored safely and guarded to avoid accidents. Employees should also have personal protective equipment. Further, companies should train employees frequently and restrict untrained workers from using machines or accessing certain locations. Workplaces that don’t observe safety measures endanger workers.
If you lose a limb in a workplace accident, you should obtain adequate information about your case to protect your rights.