A study from Monash University reveals that work-related finger and thumb amputations in Victoria have significantly declined over the past 20 years, with a 4.55% annual reduction in incidence. However, the study concluded that such injuries still remain relatively common (more than 2,000 finger amputation cases in Victoria in the 10 years to 2023) and further work is required to develop prevention strategies.
Traumatic finger and thumb amputations are common, preventable occupational injuries that often have long-lasting and severe consequences, including psychosocial impacts, body image concerns and reduced ability to work. They also can result in an early exit from the workforce.
The Australasian region reports high rates of finger or thumb amputations compared to other regions globally, but the specific drivers of that comparatively high rate remain unclear. This study has confirmed that male workers and those in regional/rural areas are disproportionately affected, and the contributors are mostly mechanical forces such as contact with machinery, crush injuries and contact with power saws.
A common finding in past studies of occupational traumatic amputations is that finger and thumb amputations account for over 90% of all limb amputations in the workplace. Traumatic digit amputations account for over 14% of all work-related wrist and hand injury hospitalizations. These injuries are particularly common in industries such as manufacturing, construction, and agriculture, where machinery use and manual handling tasks pose significant risks.
As well as reinforcing workplace safety regulations and targeted interventions to further reduce the incidence of work-related digit amputations, particularly in high-risk industries, the study identified factors outside of the workplace that can also influence the amputation rate:
- Access to high-quality, specialized hand surgery services in regional/rural areas could improve outcomes for affected workers.
- Policymakers can focus on machinery safety standards and training programs to mitigate risks from mechanical forces, which are the leading cause of these injuries.
It is important to remember that these injuries are preventable and more focus on prevention strategies in the workplace is needed to eliminate them. Interventions to reduce worker fatigue and stress, and safety measures focused on employers appropriately managing the risks associated with hazardous machinery, can help prevent injuries. Strong controls measures include proper machine guarding and guarding audits, lockout/tagout procedures, routine equipment maintenance, mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE), and the associated worker training programs targeting safe machinery use.