A local mum has warned people to take care in the home and workplace after almost losing her hand to an industrial fan.
At the same time a local hand surgeon, who has already seen a 50% spike in patients in recent weeks, says he expects to see a huge surge in injuries this Christmas holidays.
“We are seeing a spike in both industrial and domestic incidents, often involving severed or crushed hands and fingers,” Mater Hospital surgeon Dr Andrew Hadj said.
“Most patients tell me they were in a rush, hurrying or running late when they sustained an injury, and weren’t paying attention.
“These are factors that really come to the fore during the run-up to Christmas, as so many people are trying to finish lots of tasks and are not always fully concentrating.”
Flagstone mum-of-three Melissa Stent almost lost the fingers on her right hand last month while cleaning an industrial fan at her workplace.
Mrs Stent, 49, said the accident happened in a “split second”.
“The fan didn’t have a cover on it, it was still on and I thought I was standing to the side of it to clean it, but I put my hand straight in from the front,” she said.
“I partially amputated my thumb – I cut through it, and my index fingers as well. I had five lacerations to my hand,” she said.
Dr Hadj saved her fingers.
“I thought I might lose part of my thumb or finger, but Dr Hadj did a great job.
“I have a laceration above my knuckle, and my index and thumb is still quite bruised, but I am recovering well.”
Mr Hadj said people need to slow down and take their time.
“People need to slow down and take their time, especially when items like knives and power tools are involved,” he said.
“Please don’t give yourself a hand injury for Christmas.”
He revealed the top five causes of hand injuries were nail guns, animal bites, angle grinders, sharp knives and glass.
Many patients, Dr Hadj said, often require extensive and complex reconstructive surgery, as well as up to two years of rehabilitation.
“Despite the significant advances in reconstructive repair, these patients will always have a degree of major impairment, so prevention is the best remedy,” he said.
There was also an increase in injuries caused by industrial-grade food processing equipment and other traumatic workplace injuries.
