National Estimates of Work-Related Emergency Department-Treated Finger, Hand, and Wrist Injuries, United States 2015-2022.

Introduction: Work-related injuries often occur to fingers, hands, and wrists (FHW); however, research on risk factors is limited. The study aim was to analyze (in 2024) national estimates and trends of work-related FHW Emergency Department (ED)-treated traumatic injuries (2015-2022).

Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-Occupational Supplement was used to analyze FHW injuries. Estimates and rates per 10,000 full-time equivalent workers were calculated using employment labor force estimates from the Current Population Survey. Patterns of injury severity and identification of at-risk populations were calculated including adjusting for industry.

Results: Nearly five million work-related ED-treated injuries were FHW with 2% severe. Two-thirds (67%) of these injuries were among males, however females had higher odds of severe injuries than males when adjusting for industry. Rates of injury decreased with increasing age groups, however adjusting for industry found a higher likelihood of injuries among older age groups. Healthcare and social assistance workers experienced the highest number of FHW injuries (814,100 injuries). However, accommodation/food service workers had the highest injury rates (81 per 10,000 FTE). Construction (24%) and manufacturing (23%) workers had the highest percentage of severe FHW. However, the highest rates for severe FHW injury rates were agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting and construction (35.3 and 23.4 per 100,000 FTE workers). Injury rates declined significantly from 2015-2021, then increased in 2022.

Conclusions: These findings improve understanding of work-related FHW injury risks. Industry specific surveillance and targeted interventions for high-risk industries like construction and manufacturing could assist in reducing FHW injuries.