Safety First... or someone may lose a thumb.

[Bruce Whitehead]

OK, I didn't lose the thumb but I took a nice sized piece off the end of it today at work.

I hate accidents, they just make me feel careless and stupid, plus I end up in a great deal of pain... which is always sucky.

I was drilling metal plates that are approximately 1/16 of an inch thick.

As I was doing the first one I ended up with a hot piece of metal landing on my hand, which made me think that I should get the gloves on. I looked up, saw the gloves, and then looked down and realized what could happen if the plate slipped, and just how easy that would be.

So as I was being distracted I reached up to flick the drill off, and at that second the plate flipped loose, spun around and took the pad of my thumb out.

So ironically, I actually got hurt, because I was trying to not get hurt. *go figure*

Once it was all over and I got bandaged up, etc. I have severed the pad of my thumb, but it was still attached at the tip... towards the end of the digit, so it was not a clean swipe, as I have about 3-4 mm of flesh keeping it on. Which is good. I had a similar accident a few years back and as long as the flesh isn't completely loose, then it will reattach.

Granted it'll turn black, hurt like a demon trying to claw through the flesh, and eventually fall off. BUT it will be fine in the long run.

Best part was after bandaging it up and informing my boss. He asks "so you'll be OK to keep working?".

UHM... "I CUT THE PAD OF MY THUMB OFF! I think I can go home at this point?"

Bruce

PS: I am not sending this email from work... so yeah, I got home.

[littleindiangirl]

OUCH! That must hurt so much... But that sounds exactly how things go for me. I'd break my head open reaching for a hard hat kinda thing.

Hope you feel better sooooon!!

[Kristy]

Ouch..

I am too familiar with work accidents. My husband and father in law are framers. My husband had a skil saw shoot back and take his left index finger off, managed to reattach it, but then had to have it amputated.

Those guys drive me crazy. They rarely come home after getting hurt, and half the time sew themselves back together with fishing line.

Glad you are okay though!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I actually got hurt, because I was trying to not get hurt. *go figure*

That's the kind of luck I usually get too

At least you still have all your fingers

[SecurityStacey]

Accidents are always the worst. I work security at a distribution center and I'm the first responder to accidents... I've seen enough severed fingers to last a life time... actually I'm pretty sure any severed fingers is too many for a lifetime...

[littleindiangirl]

Ouch..

I am too familiar with work accidents. My husband and father in law are framers.

Oh, so there called accidents these days eh?

[Bruce Whitehead]

OUCH! That must hurt so much...

Have to say it really does... been throbbing and itching all day. First time I did this it was with a clean blade so a really clean cut, and they always hurt less. This was the equiv of getting cut with something the width of a key spinning at high speed, so the skin and flesh is really damaged (and really hurts).

Those guys drive me crazy. They rarely come home after getting hurt, and half the time sew themselves back together with fishing line.

I grew up in a family of rig workers... my brother has a "pincer" hand (only has a thumb and middle finger left).

And my first thought was that after I got it bandaged up was that... "yeah it hurts, but I can just change tasks for the day"... I had to make a point of acknowledging that indeed I could go home.

Which is actually I think why my boss assumed I would stay. Most guys that work in these jobs will stay and finish the day out.

At least you still have all your fingers

I celebrated by coming home and playing with hatchling BPs. Everyday with all my fingers is a good day to play with snakes.

I've seen enough severed fingers to last a life time... actually I'm pretty sure any severed fingers is too many for a lifetime...

I cannot imagine. I have a bro that witnessed a freak accident on an offshore rige and ten years later he still loses sleep over it.

Bruce

[blackcrystal22]

Aw man, I'm sorry Bruce. That doesn't sound like fun. You should've shoved your bleeding gory thumb in your bosses face and then asked him if he wanted you to stay.

I hope it gets better!

[Gloryhound]

Sounds like a lost time OSHA record able. That is why the boss didn't want you to go home! Lost time OSHA record ables can result in fines and normally brings OSHA representatives on location to review working environment and review the written working safety procedures and training programs.

It sucks to get hurt, but you also have to realize why employers/supervisors react the way they do sometimes.

In my line of work as a supervisor if too many OSHA record ables occur on my watch I can loose my job!

Technically he violated other OSHA laws by not having you recieve any medical attention or signing a waiver.

[Holbeird]

ouch, glad you didn't loose a thumb!