The following information comes from FirstComp Insurance.  A full copy of the article can be found here.

Annually, millions of people suffer preventable workplace injuries. Cuts and lacerations often rank as the second or third largest source of these injuries. Roughly 30 percent of all workplace injuries involve cuts or lacerations, and not surprisingly 70 percent of those injuries are to the hands or fingers. Thankfully, these incidents have been decreasing in recent years.

Common injuries include:

•  Scratches, abrasions, or minor cuts requiring first aid 
•  Needle sticks, or puncture wounds
•  Deep lacerations requiring medical attention such as sutures 
•  Lacerations involving nerve and/or tendon damage
•  Amputations

Causes

• Cuts are often due to external physical forces, accidental injury and actions such as:
•  Employees in a hurry, taking short cuts or not following safety guidelines
•  Improper training and lack of established safety procedures
•  Failure to wear cut-resistant gloves or wearing improper gloves for the job
•  Contact with sharp items such as nails, screws, steel/metal, glass, staples, splinters, paper, etc.
•  Hand tools with blades e.g., knives, box cutters, screwdrivers, chisels
•  Powered machinery with missing or improperly adjusted guarding of cutting blades, pinch points, chain and sprockets, conveyor belts, etc.
•  Improper tool for the job or tool used improperly e.g., using scissors or kitchen cutlery as a utility knife, using a screwdriver as a pry bar
•  Tools in poor condition e.g., slippery, cracked or broken handle, dull blade
•  Poor housekeeping (e.g., clutter, debris), and poor lighting

Control Measures

One of the most common sources of cuts and lacerations is the use of knives and other cutting tools. The key to preventing these and other types of injuries is keeping body parts away from these hazards, and establishing work procedures to identify and control the exposure. Control measures to consider include:

•  Developing effective procedures and training employees to follow them
•  Wear proper personal protective equipment e.g. eyewear, gloves, sleeves, long pants, etc.
•  Maintaining proper machine guarding at all times
•  Use the proper tool for the job and inspect tools prior to use
•  Safely use the tool as intended and keep the tool under control at all times
•  Always use a sharp blade since a dull blade requires greater force which increases potential hazards
•  Pull the blade toward you when cutting on a horizontal surface
•  Practice good housekeeping and keep work areas clear
•  When cutting thick material, use several passes of the blade and apply increasing downward pressure with each pass
•  Don.t leave exposed blades unattended; use self-retracting cutting blades
•  Maintain proper storage or use a separate drawer for sharp cutting tools

Treatment

Minor cuts and scrapes usually don’t require a trip to the emergency room. Yet proper care is essential to avoid infection or other complications. These guidelines can help you care for simple wounds:

1. Clean the wound – rinse the wound with cool clear water. Wash around the cut with soap; avoid getting soap into the wound as this can irritate the wound. Use tweezers cleaned with rubbing alcohol to remove any dirt and debris remaining in the wound.

2. Stop the bleeding – minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If they don’t, apply gentle direct pressure with a clean cloth or bandage.  Hold the pressure continuously for 20 to 30 minutes and if possible elevate the wound. A wound that is more than 1/4- inch deep or is gaping or jagged edged and has fat or muscle protruding usually requires stitches.

3. Apply an antibiotic – after you clean the wound, apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment to help keep the surface moist. The ointment can discourage infection and help your body’s natural healing process.

4. Cover the wound – bandages can help keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out. Change the dressing at least daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty. After the wound has healed enough to make infection unlikely, exposure to the air will promote wound healing.

5. Watch for signs of infection – see a medical professional if the wound isn’t healing or you notice any redness, increasing pain, drainage, warmth or swelling.

6. Get a tetanus shot – doctors recommend a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your wound is deep or dirty and your last shot was more than five years ago, your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster. Get the booster as soon as possible after the injury. With thorough analysis, planning, awareness and proper treatment you can develop a cut prevention plan to help eliminate these types of injuries from your workplace.