Injured at work today

Today at work caught my finger in heavy industrial door. My finger was crushed. I burst out crying and cried for about 10 minutes. It was so painful. My coworkers said it probably wasn't broken. They gave me about 5 minutes to collect myself. I worked the rest of my hours but used about 20 band aides and was bleeding all over the place. My finger was throbbing and I felt like crying. It was really embarrassing to cry in front of my coworkers. I am new and still training. One coworker was very sweet and bandaged my finger and hugged me. A guy told me to put frozen peas on my finger when I got home. Just thinking how much it hurt makes me want to cry again. Going back to work has been challenging.

OMG Dechan... this is a work-related injury! I don't know where you live, or how things like this are handled there. But here where I live a worker's compensation report would have to be filed & you'd have been sent to a doctor. The cost of the initial visit, plus any additional required treatment would be covered by the employer's workers compensation insurance carrier. If the doctor determined you needed to be off of work for any period of time, you'd be paid workers compensation benefits. Is there nothing like that where you live? I hope you're not being sand-bagged. Again where I live, an employer could get into a lot of trouble trying to pull something like that. I hope you begin to feel better soon...

You really should fill out a accident report and they determine if you see a Dr. You have the WC people interrogate you when you do go. If you work with your hands it's hard to work with a bad finger. Do they have finger tape and putting ice on it after a few hrs is bad advise you should put ice on it right away. If you have epsom salt make a paste and wrap a cold washcloth around it. I hope it feels better tomorrow.

Thanks. I agree with you and I expected that they would do exactly as you say. In another time or at another workplace I would have expected to fill out an accident report and go and have my finger attended to by medical professionals. I work for a large national company. I will be required to join a union soon...and maybe if I had been in the union I could have demanded medical attention. I'll talk to the union rep. However, from what my coworkers told me unless the injury is so severe you can't use your hand you will probably be required to return to work. Terrible, I know.

Thank you for your kind words. It seems that a couple of blood vessels burst in my finger so it's all swollen up and purple and bleeding out of the nail bed. Sorry to be so graphic. I did take a bath with epson salts awhile ago and that felt better than the bag of frozen peas. No they didn't have finger tape. Damn, my department didn't even have an adequate supply of band aides! During my break I had to go buy a box for myself. I reported this to the facility's managers who said they would get band aides to my department. They didn't act at all concerned. And yes, my job is totally working with my hands 100%. I feel glum.

My son is the manager of a metal workshop in a design firm. He cut his finger and his company sent him off to the hospital where he had 15 stitches put in and then he returned to work.

When I worked in a factory as a teenager I caught my finger in a large industrial stapling machine. I remember I had staples in my finger! I went to the nurse's office where she pulled out the staples, bandaged my hand and sent me back to work. My finger was crushed flat by the stapling machine and has always remained kind of flat.

Jobs where you work with your hands are inherently dangerous. I recently got a preventative tetanus shut from my health care provider. Good thing.

I would like to hear from others who were injured on the job. What happened, and how did your employer and managers handle it?

Oh no! I hope it's healing okay?

It sounds like you should have had an accident report filed, just in case you have any problems with it later?

I have had minor accidents at work but nothing serious.

When I was a student I once fell forward down stairs at the hospital where I was on placement - stuck my hand out to grab the rail jerked my thumb back and sprained it. I didn't report it but should have - the joint is still a little tricky over 20 years later.

Another good reason to report is for future prevention of more accidents - it gives your employer an opportunity to spot where the hazards are and remedy them.

Well, I went to the two highest people in my facility...the manager and the assistant manager. Neither one of them told me to go fill out an accident report. Which now, in restrospect, seems kind of weird. Today is my day off but when I go back to work I am going to go to the office manager who hired me and discuss filling out an accident report.

I believe the reason the accident happened is because the department is understaffed and everyone is always stressed out and multi-tasking. I am not fond of multi-tasking because I believe it does cause errors, waste, and accidents. I already talked to the assistant facility manager about this and she said it is just the nature of the job. So I think when I caught my finger it was because I was trying to speed up. If I work at what I consider a safe and normal pace it isn't fast enough. I was also put on the busiest shift. I wanted a later shift that wasn't as busy but someone else got that shift because of seniority. (They were hired one day before me!) --

But based on the feedback here I am definitely going to go and ask to fill out an accident report. Because what if my finger gets infected? This isn't just a small wound. It is moderately severe. So thanks, everyone.

Where I work everyone seems paranoid about getting less hours and the pay is crap. It isn't an optimal situation and I have to start to view it as such.

I am in the process of moving out of a period of severe depression, so it helps when I am reminded of this. I am still not well. Despite this, I think I am a good worker. I always show up on time and stay on task. I also have to deal with the public and be very outgoing. It takes a certain kind of person who can be very cordial and outgoing to a steady stream of humanity while also being very precise and task oriented. It is a given that one always has to exhibit a certain amount of grace under pressure. Truthfully I amazed at the amount and degree of skills required while at the same time not really receiving a living wage. I am a good hire and a good trainee and if they lose me because I find a better job it is their loss. Even with battling depression I am doing a good enough job, and I take some comfort in that.

Thanks. I am going to request that I fill out an accident report. The management would have to admit that the department is understaffed and so everyone is required to work at an inhuman pace, which causes accidents. There was nothing defective in equipment or anything like that. But it would be easy to just blame the worker for being clumsy, I guess.

Hi I would think twice about trying to change the way it does it's business. I could be wrong I live in a area where it's a employers market and they don't hesitate to making your job harder. They always have a mole out on the floor. This is someone who reports everything to the HR. The Hr department is not your advocate there job is to protect the company. I agree they are lacking a health and safety committee to oversee the company is up to standard. I hurt my shoulder at work the doctor said it was tendonitis 13 yrs after I had a MRI and it was actually my labrum and bi-cep tendon. The labram was torn and it got worse through the years all mt shoulder cartlidge is gone and I have three good size bone spurs. the injury was a sublexation my shoulder dislocated and went back into place. There solution is total shoulder replacement surgery. No way I have learned how to put by bi-cep bone back in place the medical name is called advanced gleno-humeral osteoarthritis. Other than a few cuts and being knocked down by a forklift and a bander snapping a band hitting my forhead putting a chunk of my scalp with my hair in it making me look like a all star wrestler that required stitches 30 yrs of factory work is pretty safe.

I do hope your finger is feeling better and that you're able to fill out an accident report and possibly get worker's comp.

I also have had a workplace injury, although my experience was different. I would have been required to fill out an accident report whether I wanted to or not (it's policy) and I remember having to do it right after being released from the ER (not so fun ) Actually, I think I was doing paperwork while in the ER or at least helping with it. But it did end up creating a positive change for everyone (the conditions are safer).

My job is for the city and it really shouldn't be a dangerous job, but I do drive a large vehicle and other drivers are apparently pretty dangerous. It's our policy that we must stop at railroad crossings and I turned on my hazards and slowly stopped for one out in the rural area on the outskirts of the city and the guy behind was clearly not paying attention at all. He had to have been going 50 or more because he severed the hydraulic line of the lift on the back of my vehicle. I also had my window down. I did not hear brakes. Also, the city had not thought it necessary to put "This vehicle stops at all railroad crossings" on the back of the vehicles until then. The guy in the car (who was able to just get out of the car and walk up to the window of mine said he didn't know I was going to stop. The city has since started adding signs to all their vehicles.

Unfortunately, I also had clients in the vehicle as well, but fortunately they were more ok than me. We all ended up having to go to the ER, a couple of us needing neck X-Rays. I just had a pretty bad case of whiplash, but I still needed 2-3 months of chiropractor visits which as far as I know will be covered by the other guy's insurance or the city (worker's comp). Same with the ambulance and ER bills. It was ruled almost immediately that it was the other guy's fault which helps my case to not owe anything for my medical bills.

I also (luckily) was given the option to opt out of the rest of the driving part of my job that week (necessary really given I was on muscle relaxers which would make driving dangerous for me and the clients) and they brought in one of our subs to just do the driving. I still did the rest of my job. I've since gone back to driving and it all seemed to work out in the end.

I don't know if that helps...a city government might be better than a corporation at handling these things, but I could be wrong.

I think maybe eyesclosed is right and it has become an employer's market. I took the job because it was near where I lived and my truck was down for repairs. It's a five minute walk away, which has been pretty convenient as the area has been hit by a few major snowstorms. I had been depressed and unemployed so this job was a step out. I think the way they handled the injury was pretty weird. When I took the job they made a big deal about safety, made us watch videos, and do a safety walk around the facility. But when it comes down to it that was all probably corporate stuff.

I stop and wipe up spills in my department a few times a day because I don't like to stand in liquid and possibly slip, but I notice other employees are very careless and cause the spills.

I don't know if they have "moles" but things do get reported and coworkers report on each other, so I guess its a pretty much dog-eat-dog type environment. Managers and supervisors will also report on you for being late, or doing anything wrong on the job.

Maybe this injury was a wake-up call. Coming out of a major depression and getting back into the "real world" is quite a shock. I am still pretty depressed about everything and I have to take that into consideration. It is probably a miracle I am working at all, never mind working in a fast-paced, potentially dangerous environment. In truth, part of me doesn't care what the hell happens. I am not very happy but I do like to work well when I do work.

Deck, I hope your finger is ok and everyone is right they should have given you an accident report to fill out and if need be they should have had someone drove you to the doctors. You should also have a tetanus shot if you have not had one in the last 10 years.

When I worked my department had a lot of injurys it's the nature of the business we were in. If someone got hurt we had someone drive them to the doctors or if it was really bad we took them to the ER. While they were waiting they filled out the accident report.

We had one guy who got a piece of metal in his eye. The eye wash did not get it out. The doctor could not get it out so the doctor called a specialist and we took him straight there. So we were down not one employee but two. The employee who was hurt and someone to drive him. A couple of times we even had to call 911.

My point is this. When someone got hurt we had to stop everything to make sure that person was ok. Then we had to fill out a lot of paperwork. The employee only had to fill out a small amount 1 page the people in the office had more paperwork to do and then we had to take the paperwork to another department in another building. So no we did not like filling out the paperwork but you are more important then filling out paperwork.

Make them pay to get your finger looked at and get that shot.

This is weird but in December 2016 my health care provider made me get a tetanus shot and I was thinking this is for nothing that I am getting this but it was free so I did it. Then I get a new job and get injured! So that part worked out.

I don't think this employer was very responsible. I let the right people know about it and not one person mentioned filling out an accident report.

In the department where I work there would be no way they could suddenly be down two people. It would be impossible. Understaffing is a major problem. That is why everyone has to work harder and faster, and accidents are going to happen.

I am even feeling nervous they might fire me or something.

I am going to inquirer about filling out an accident report. But mostly I need to start looking for a better, safer job.

All of this is made worse by trying to come out of severe depression, and being socially isolated. It is so stressful. But I am determined to not go backwards as I have fought long and hard to pull myself out of this depression.

So that's really the most important thing here. Coming out of depression to be functional again is one of the hardest things I have ever done in my entire life.

Hmm, I'm wondering if there was anyone senior around the day you had the accident or if it was a case of the staff present not being properly aware of their companies procedure.

Even if the accident was your fault they still need to have it logged. As I posted earlier organisations need all accident info so they can assess and take evasive action when necessary - for example if lots of staff had accidents with that door then it would become apparent there was a pattern and they could then look at how to avoid.

Tbh what you describe in workplace practice sounds rather like mine - we got the induction video and then we started work few days later and soon found things very different in practice. It's the way of the world (or workplace anyway!)

I wouldn't worry about them firing you, they need reliable workers like you, and they probably aren't bad employers as such just a bit sloppy.

Well, I notified the highest two managers in the facility I work in so I don't know what more I can do.

Basically the accident happened because of being too busy and having to work at too fast a pace. I mean I have only been there a month!

No one told me to be careful around the doors. If I was training someone I would definitely mention that. The doors are very heavy but slide easily. It is just something to watch for.

I have had a few days off and my finger feels better after plenty of soaks in epson salts. It still looks pretty bad. But it's healing.

As I noted in previous posts I am trying to come out of a pretty severe depression. I can really see where people find that they can't work because of the pressure. But I have to work. Pretty much everything is wrong with my life. I really need to go easier on myself. Thank you for all your great comments and stories!

Well, my finger feels a bit better and I bought a box of "Miss Kitty" band aids to use at work! I have also been taking otc pain relievers, and soaking my finger in epson salts.

I used to have this theory that I kind of forgot about until this week. I believe that when you get an injury it is sometimes because you are making a "break" from an old way to a new way of life. In the transition you might get a little clumsy and get an injury.

Pay attention to when you get injured and you might see that there is something to this theory.

The last time I got a bad cut I was ending a toxic relationship.

After my divorce I broke both arms in a freak accident.

Maybe by staying at this job and working with my injured finger I proved that I am not a weak worker. I am responsible and I didn't leave a minute earlier. I am not saying it is right but it seems that it is part of the work culture where I am at the moment.

Hey Dechan that's an interesting thought.

Guess what? I had an accident at work this morning, got my hand jammed between a heavy cage and the swing door out of the warehouse, it was stuck open at an awkward angle and we walk backwards with the cages for safety reasons (so we can see customers) so it flapped back and jammed me.

I told my supervisor on duty and he said he did the same thing the other day! He didn't fill in an accident report for himself but mindful of our discussion here I asked if I could. He said yes, but at end of shift we eere so busy. I took 5 mins with ice in staffroom as my thumb swelled up, then finished my shift best I could (slow because of injury). At end of shift I found him (outside, smoking and flirting with coworker) and he said he will do it tomorrow.

Just hoping it won't get worse. I do want this logged though, they are pretty lax about safety and that storeroom is hazardous.

Ouch, I hope your finger is still healing and that you are able to find a safer work environment. This company does not seem to take safety seriously!

I am so sorry to hear this. Is it the same thumb (same hand) you jammed years ago? It is such a bummer to get injured and have to continue to work. So I am right there with you in knowing how that feels. Five minutes icing it is just not enough...then to have to go back to work right away. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. I am right there with you. I am so sorry.

And how about that thing with the accident report??? Same old business, eh. I hope you will pursue this...especially because it is the second time this has happened.

Get the accident, logged, most definitely.

And bring up anything else that seems dangerous. I brought up that one of our machines didn't have a safety guard. Everyone says it works fine without it but someone came out and took a look at it. I think now everyone has me pegged as overly conscious about safety. Well, they spent half a day training me to be safety conscious with all their corporate videos...so it isn't my fault.

Hugs to you, friend. Hugs.

So for other reasons it's important for you to file the accident report: if you continue having problems with your finger or hand and need to seek medical attention for it, you will want to be able to prove this was a work related injury. If you don't file the accident report, you will have no recourse in the future. It has nothing to do with changing how they do business or anything, it's about protecting yourself in the case you need to go to court.

Demand to fill out the accident report and get a signed copy for your records.

Good luck,
seesaw

Absolutely, but it does have to do with prevention too - if we don't log accidents then no one will know about them at higher decision making level.

Thanks, really, as you speak sanity. Just because they are playing by bad rules I don't have to follow. I mean I have been "self-doctoring" this finger for a week. I had a couple days off mid-week, but tomorrow I am definitely going to ask to file an accident report. My common sense was a bit thrown off so the support to get me to do the normal and right thing is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I understand. I went through the same thing after returning from work from depression. You are worth it though. Take care of yourself!