Preventing Cuts Scrapes Punctures Bureau of Workers Compensation

Preventing Cuts, Scrapes, Punctures Bureau of Workers’ Compensation PA Training for Health & Safety (PATHS) PPT-005 -02 1

Safety with Sharps § § § Keep scissors sharpened. Use proper scissors for the job being done. Use scissors only for their intended job. Do not try to catch falling scissors. Carry scissors with the blades closed. Hand scissors to someone with the handle facing them. PPT-005 -02 2

Safety with Sharps § When using a box cutter or utility knife, do not cut towards yourself. § Keep box cutters closed when not in use. § Do not keep your free hand near the cutting edge of a utility knife when making a cut. § Always wear the correct PPE when using hand tools (e. g. gloves, safety glasses, etc. ). PPT-005 -02 3

Safety with Sharps § Do not carry scissors, screwdrivers, or utility knives in your pockets – use a proper belt holder or carry them in your hand. § When carrying sharp objects carry them at your side with your arm fully extended. § Use hand tools for their intended purpose – a screwdriver is not a hammer! § Check hand tools before using to make sure they are not damaged. Handle is tapered & taped-unsafe to useshould be replaced. What’s wrong with this picture? PPT-005 -02 4

Safety with Sharps • Do not pick up broken glass with your bare hands – use gloves or a broom and dust pan. • Put broken glass in a sturdy container and label it with “Caution, Broken Glass Inside. ” • Use appropriate gloves when handling window/ door glass or metal sheets/pieces/covers that may have sharp edges. PPT-005 -02 5

Cuts • If you cut yourself, wash the wound thoroughly under cold water. • If the wound is shallow and the bleeding stops, dry the skin around it with a paper towel or a clean cloth. • If available, put an “infection prevention” cream/spray on the wound. • Cover the wound with a sterile bandage to keep the wound shielded and clean. PPT-005 -02 6

More on Cuts • To stop bleeding if the wound is deep: → Apply pressure → Raise the wound site above the heart → Seek medical attention a. s. a. p. PPT-005 -02 7

Puncture Wounds Puncture wounds are caused when sharp and pointed objects such as nails, tacks, knife tips, needles, or bullets penetrate the skin. Animal bites are another cause of puncture wounds. * *consumer. healthday. com/…puncturewounds-664615. html PPT-005 -02 8

Puncture Wound Treatment Minor Puncture Wound § Make sure the object that caused the puncture is intact. If any part of it remains in the wound, seek medical help immediately. § Encourage a little bleeding to wash out germs by gently pressing on the skin around the wound. § Once the bleeding has stopped, clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Thorough cleaning can help prevent the risk of tetanus. It's okay to apply an antiseptic solution. PPT-005 -02 9

Puncture Wound Treatment More Serious Puncture Wounds. § If it won't stop bleeding, press down on the wound firmly with a clean cloth or bandage. Maintain pressure for 15 minutes. § If bleeding continues, call 911 or get to an emergency medical facility immediately. § If blood is spurting from the wound, apply pressure immediately and have someone call 911. PPT-005 -02 10

Puncture Wound Treatment When to seek immediate medical help § When your tetanus shots are not up-to-date and the puncturing object was dirty. § Wound becomes infected. Signs of infection include pus, increased pain, swelling, redness, tenderness, a sensation of warmth or visible redness radiating from the wound, or a fever of 100 degrees F or more. § Wound involves human or animal bites. § Wound hasn't stopped bleeding after 15 minutes. § Blood is spurting from the wound. § When the puncture wound is in the eye. PPT-005 -02 11

Trash Bags/Wastebaskets § Don’t reach into wastebaskets or disposal containers with bare hands, they could contain broken glass or sharps. § Sharp material poking through trash bags can easily cut unprotected hands or legs. § Check trash bags before lifting to see if they are overloaded or likely to break. § Lift plastic bags from their tie-off point and paper bags by their edges whenever possible and hold bags away from the body. § Never “bear hug” a bag. PPT-005 -02 12

Report On-the-Job Injuries! Report any on-the-job injuries to your Supervisor as soon as possible, and make sure an injury report is completed a. s. a. p. PPT-005 -02 13

Review To Prevent Cuts, Scrapes and Punctures: • Wear the proper PPE when working with hand tools or handling metal with sharp edges or window/door glass. • Do not pick up broken glass with your bare hands. • Do not carry hand tools or utility knives in your pocket. • Cut away from yourself when using a knife. • Think safety, work safely! PPT-005 -02 14

Contact Information Health & Safety Training Specialists 1171 South Cameron Street, Room 324 Harrisburg, PA 17104 -2501 (717) 772 -1635 RA-LI-BWC-PATHS@pa. gov Like us on Facebook! https: //www. facebook. com/BWCPATHS PPT-005 -02 15

Questions PPT-005 -02 16