Machine operators are at increased risk for certain machine injuries, including amputation. OSHA provides standards of safety for machine guarding during operation and machine lockout during maintenance. The role of the occupational health nurse in machine safety is to conduct worksite analyses to identify proper safeguarding and to communicate deficiencies to appropriate personnel; to train workers in safe work practices and observe compliance in the use of machine guards; to provide care for workers injured by machines, especially in managing amputations; and to reinforce safe work practices among machine operators.
References
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EthertonJ.R. (1987). The use of safety devices and safety controls at industrial machine work stations. In: SalvendyG. (Ed.). Handbook of Human Factors.New York, NY: Wiley & Sons, pp. 861–875.
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Hand Surgery Consultants. (1988). Amputation Emergency.Cincinnati, OH: Author.
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HellstrandP.H. (1989). Injuries caused by firewood-splitting machines.Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 23(1), 51–54.
4.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (1987). Injuries and Amputations Resulting From Work With Mechanical Power Presses. (DHHS NIOSH Publication No. 87-107). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
5.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (1980). Concepts and Techniques of Machine Safeguarding
6.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (1991). The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout / Tagout)
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Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. (1990). Ohio Statewide by SIC—Detailed 1989 Injury / Illness Statistics.Columbus, OH: Author.
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OlsonD.K., and GerberichS.G. (1986). Traumatic amputations in the workplace.Journal of Occupational Medicine, 28(7), 480–485.
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U.S. Department of Labor. (1989). Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines on workplace safety and health program management: Issuance of voluntary guidelines.Federal Register, 54, 3904–3918.
