The numbers of hand injuries due to work related accidents registered at Mater Dei hospital emergency are significantly high. Around five patients daily seek emergency aid for hand injuries suffered at the workplace while about one a day require an operation within the shortest time possible. Most work related incidents occur within the construction and woodworking industry.

Most hand injuries are trivial, requiring basic attention while others may cause long term disabling. Last year, 690 patients suffering from wounds or conditions effecting the hand were referred to the out patients unit of Mater Dei Occupational Therapy (OT) department. Treated cases included fractures, damage to the hand nervous system, damage to finger tendons or amputations and burns on parts of the hand. Most of these incidents were caused by falls, contact with poisonous materials, cuts by instruments or tools and impacts with glass.

Occupational therapy services manager Joanna Chetcuti spoke on the need for further education on appreciating the hands as instruments and the prevention of hand injuries, especially among manual workers. Working directly with hand injury patients helps the occupational therapists understand the suffering and pain that the patients and their relatives experience. She also spoke on the importance of enforcing health and safety regulations at the workplace. Vulnerable groups such as housewives, the elderly and children also need to know more about the repercussions of hand injuries.

The occupational therapy department chose the eve of worker’s day to raise awareness on hand injuries with the Maltese public. Worker’s Day should serve as a reflection on the need for prevention of hand and arm incidents. Occupational therapists help patients gain their independence following a rehabilitation programme, helping them return to their workplace.

At the moment five occupational therapists work with patients who suffer from hand injuries. The hand clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including an area where splints can be fabricated and other apparatus that help in the patients’ rehabilitation. Such equipment had a motivating effect on the staff as well as on patients’ response.

Hand clinic patients Michael Fenech and Jason Farrugia shared their experience. Both suffered extensive damage to one of their hands. They spoke on how the hand clinic staff was crucial in gaining back their independence and confidence following their injury. Mr Farrugia was a self-employed carpenter and had to consider alternative job opportunities following his accident. Former athlete Mr Fenech explained that his hand injury made him feel shattered but thanks to his occupational therapist he got back his physical and psychological motivation.

Health and Safety Authority Chief Executive Officer Mark Gauci and Health Parliamentary Secretary Joe Cassar were present for the news conference. Both highlighted the importance of health and safety at the place of work. Dr Cassar praised the initiative taken by the occupational therapy department. Dr Gauci said that by attention and continuous risk assessment, many work related accidents could be prevented.