Hazard Analysis — Cuts and punctures from tools or materials

For clean cuts, the edges around these wounds are typically smooth and linear where the surrounding flesh remains unchanged.  These type of cuts are usually brought together easily and knit rapidly in the healing process.  For jagged cuts, the edges around these wounds are usually rough and require additional healing time.

Punctures are typically piercings or perforations through the skin (i.e. a nail from a nail gun).  Depending on the object causing the puncture, the edges of the wound may be crushed.  Sometimes, even the fragments of tools or materials may bury under the skin layer.

Both cuts and punctures will usually be accompanied by bleeding.  For traumatic cuts or punctures, these are frequently combined with injuries to tendons, joints and bones.

To assess the likelihood of sustaining cut or puncture injuries, here is a list of general items to consider when performing construction tasks near or with sharp and cutting tools or materials:

• Are there any sharp edges or points exposed on the tools or materials?
• For certain tools, are there safety features or mechanisms in place that can be used?
• If appropriate, are there the options to remove sharp edges by machining? Such that edges of metal strip could be dressed or rolled, or edges of larger items could be grinded or sanded.
• If appropriate, are there paddings or wrappings covering or protecting the sharp edges on the tools or materials?