Lacerations

Presentation developed for an industrial workforce safety campaign. Designed for a 30 minute presentation on preventing lacerations in the work environment. Targeted audience is the lay workforce. Presentation has an intended "shock factor."
Videos are all from YouTube and are not embedded.

1. Lacerations And Other Wound Injuries 1

2. Topics Wounds Overview Significance of Lacerations Depth and Location of Wound Risk of Infection Wound Healing Wound Treatment Wound Management Self Care Prevention 2

3. Wound Types Amputations Avulsion Degloving Crush Injuries Punctures Abrasions Lacerations C ommon wound Most likely to result in time away from work, lost wages etc… 3

4. Skin Layers & Structures Epidermis Dead skin cells Pores Hair Dermis Oil Glands Sweat Glands Hair Follicles Hair Muscles Nerve Endings Hypodermis Fat Blood Vessels 4

5. Amputations Full or partial severing of a body part. Often the result of a severe crush injury Usually little to no bleeding The severed body part sometimes can be reattached 5

6. Avulsions The tearing or partial tearing away of tissues. Common   in industrial accidents Usually results in a flap of skin Often requires stitches, possibly surgery 6

7. Degloving A type of avulsion injury Skin is pulled away from the limb in a “skinning” type injury Often caused by jewelry, moving machinery and loose clothing http :// i.imgur.com/lKqwplM.jpg 7

8. Punctures A puncture is a piercing wound into tissues. Caused by sharp pointed objects Most potential for serious infection Little to no bleeding Bacteria stays in Dirt and ground water increase infection risk T etanus shot within past 10 years? 8

9. Abrasions Scrapes Caused by rubbing or scraping the skin against a hard, rough surface. Damage to outer layers of skin Usually very minor unless large area (road rash) Bleeding is usually limited I mportant that the skin be cleaned to avoid infection 9

10. Lacerations Traumatic breaking or tearing of tissues Very minor to very severe O ften resulting from mishandling tools and machinery. Concerns Risk of Infection Tendon Ligament Injury Scarring 10

11. Crush Injuries Type of injury that involves many different wound types Lacerations Abrasion Avulsions Amputations Contusions Always need definitive care in emergency room Nerve damage Vascular damage Compartment syndrome 11

12. Outcomes 12

13. Wound Location Tension (cleavage) Lines Natural patterns in the surface of the skin revealing tension within . Direction of Laceration A parallel cut is less likely to need stitches, will heal faster with less scarring A perpendicular cut is more likely to need stitches, heals slower with more scarring 13

14. Infection Increased Healing Time Increased Scarring Possible Blood Poisoning (Sepsis) Potential Lost Time From Work Potential Lost Wages 14

15. Infection Most common complication of open wounds Staph – Pasturella Risk factors Host’s health and pre-existing illnesses Wound type and location Associated contamination Initial treatment provided Signs of infection Redness, pain , swelling, pus, lymphangitis Infection management Antibiotics and wound management Gangrene Tetanus (lockjaw) 15

16. Treatment Clean Initial removal of surface dirt, grease and pathogens present on surface Disinfect -antiseptic soak 5-10 min Irrigation Removal of imbedded dirt, rock other foreign material with high psi from syringe (no needle) Air Dry Antibiotic Ointment Oil/petroleum base seals out air depriving bacteria of oxygen needed for survival Sterile bandage Dressing 16

17. Wound Management Daily inspection for signs of infection Redness Warmth Pain Swelling Daily c leaning and redressing 17

18. Healing Process Hemostasis (minutes) Capping damaged utility lines Inflammation (days) Debris clean up Proliferation (weeks) Framing, roofing, new plumbing and wiring Remodeling (months) Finishing work, detailing The speed of wound healing is greatly dependent on the individual immune response Smoking Fatigue Nutrition 18

19. Initial Field Care Wash wound area Warm-hot water and soap Clean actual wound Alcohol/Iodine Disinfect Alcohol** Povidone / Betadine /Iodine Wipes** Protect Triple Antibiotic Ointment** Bandage Adhesive** Liquid Report to Medical Aid Station **Available in First Aid Cabinets 19

20. Prevention Personal Protective Equipment Standard PPE Cut resistant gloves Leather gloves Impact resistant gloves Safety Devices Engineered cut devices Auto retractable knives Hook Safety Cutters Blade Guards 20

21. Prevention Safe Work Practices Lock Out/ Tag Out (LOTO) Pre Plan Job ( M2C1) Job Hazard Analysis ( JHA) What can hurt you How can it hurt you How to prevent it How to prevent it Slow Down Remove Jewelry Secure clothing 21

22. Prevention Safe Working Attitude Leave personal issues at the door Leave your ego at the door Avoid complacency Put down the torch Recognize personal limitations Fatigue Illness Emotional Stress 22

23. Summary Lacerations are among the most common workplace injuries Laceration and other open wound have great potential for Permanente Disability Lost wages Lost time from work Infection Scarring Treatment Wound Management Initial Field Care Prevention 23

24. Questions 24