Average of 21 hand injuries per week in 2010

Last year alone, 1,068 people have suffered hand injuries – the majority of which injuries occurred at the place of work.

Those most prone to hand injuries are relatively young workers working in construction sites and elementary occupation.

The information was revealed during a debate jointly organised by OHSA and Occupational Therapy to commemorate Hand Awareness Day. 

Health Minster Joe Cassar said this number, which has registered a decrease of 26% over the previous year, reflects 21 cases of hand injuries per week.

Cassar said the profile of those who suffer injuries at work is usually related to a man aged between 25 and 35 who has a fixed employment. “Usually the man would also have a family and relatively young children,” he added.

Whilst stressing on the importance for both employers and employees to comply with health and safety measures, Cassar noted that such accidents do not only affect the injured party alone, but also have social and economic impacts.

OHSA’s CEO Mark Gauci said studies in foreign countries show that injuries at the work place amount to 4% of the GDP. “In Malta this would mean a government cost of €50 million per year,” he said, adding this cost can easily be reduced if measures are adhered to.

Gauci said at times, even though the employer would have all safety measures in place, workers still work at risk of their own health. “Sometimes, because they find something uncomfortable, workers decide not to make use of protective garments or remove guards from machinery. Such actions increase the risk of injuries.”

Jason Zammit, an orthopedic consultant, said current statistics in Malta show there’s an improving trend in relation to health and safety measures being implemented. “At times the trend was negative, but today both employers and workers are aware of the safety measures,” Zammit said.

Zammit said the most common hand injuries affect tendons, whilst the second large class are nerve injuries: “This is the worst because it usually affects sensation – a protective mechanism. When one loses sensation he is more prone to injuries.”

Charles Micallef, principal officer at OHSA said healthy and safety measures require full risk assessments and more:

“Protective instruments are not enough. One must do everything in his power to prevent accidents, such as maintenance of the machinery and supervision of workers.”