People use their hands on a daily basis, so protecting the hands and wrist is important. There are several tactics that you can use to protect your wrists. Some of these are dependent on your employer, but there are some that you can do on your own.
Your employer is the one who’s responsible for making sure employees have what they need to create a safe work environment. This means they should provide you with the equipment and tools you need to do your job correctly.
What else can you do to protect your wrists?
Stretch your wrists before each work shift and throughout the day. Keeping your wrists moving ensures the synovial fluid keeps the joints lubricated to help minimize the chance of injury.
You may need to wear a wrist brace to provide extra support if you’re putting a lot of pressure on them. As you’re working, try to keep your wrists straight instead of bent so you don’t put too much strain on them. Additionally, you should loosen your grip when you’re grabbing items.
A worker who has an injury to the wrist should ensure they get proper medical care right away. Leaving an injury in this area alone can result in significant damage. Workers’ compensation coverage should cover the resulting medical bills if you have an on-the-job injury. For more serious injuries, partial wage replacement and vocational rehabilitation might also be benefits that are provided. You may have to fight for the benefits that you’re due, so be prepared for that. Working with someone who’s familiar with these matters may be beneficial.