How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 513 severe incidents involving fasteners over the last decade. These accidents frequently result in cuts, lacerations, and punctures, which account for 61% of all reported cases.
The severity of these injuries is high, with 17% of cases resulting in amputations. Your fingers are the most commonly affected body part, often suffering permanent damage when hardware fails or is handled improperly.
How these injuries happen
Most fastener-related injuries occur when you are struck by a propelled object or substance, accounting for 63% of all reported incidents. These events often happen when high-tension hardware fails, pressurized lines burst, or tools slip during installation. You are also frequently caught between equipment and objects when fasteners give way, leading to crushing injuries or severe lacerations.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Struck by propelled object or substance | 314 |
| 2 | Compressed between running equipment and other object(s) | 48 |
| 3 | Struck against stationary object | 46 |
| 4 | Struck by falling object | 39 |
| 5 | Caught or wedged between objects— nonrunning | 13 |
| 6 | Injured by object handled by person | 12 |
| 7 | Struck by running powered equipment— unspecified | 6 |
| 8 | Struck by propelled, falling, or suspended object— unspecified | 6 |
Where injuries happen most
Manufacturing accounts for 40% of all reported fastener injuries, followed by construction at 34%. These industries rely on high-torque machinery and structural assembly where the failure of a single bolt or coupling can trigger a catastrophic release of energy or heavy equipment collapse.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these incidents involve the sudden failure of structural supports, hydraulic couplings, or tensioned hardware during maintenance and assembly. You are often struck by flying debris or crushed when components fall unexpectedly due to failed fasteners. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your incident to determine if employer negligence contributed to the failure.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | OK | Construction | "An employee was preparing to replace links in the track of a dozer. As he was setting up a hydraulic press tool and working to get it in the right position, a coupling on a hydraulic hose gave way. The coupling struck the employee's right arm, resulting in lacerations and a fracture." | |
| 2025 | TX | Construction | "An employee was retrieving a hose from a trailer. The employee tripped over a crossover sub and fell off the trailer. The crossover sub then rolled off the trailer and struck the employee's leg between the knee and ankle. The employee sustained a fracture." | |
| 2025 | IL | Construction | "An employee was hanging wire mesh from a lift that was approximately 15 feet high. As the employee was adding tension to the wire, a U-bolt slid down, causing a left index fingertip amputation." | |
| 2025 | MO | Manufacturing | "An employee was assisting water treatment plant personnel with changing a flange when their finger got caught between the two pieces. The employee sustained a finger amputation." | |
| 2025 | CO | Construction | "At about 4:20 a.m. on July 22, 2025, an employee of Blackeagle Energy Services was removing masking tape from a 24-inch, 450-pound flange on a pipe rack. Dunnage supporting the flange failed and it fell, crushing the employee's left hand against the rack. The employee suffered a partially severed middle finger, crushed bones, and lacerations/tendon damage to the ring finger. The employee was hospitalized, and the middle finger was medically amputated at the first knuckle." | |
| 2025 | GA | Manufacturing | "An employee was using a nail gun when it fired a nail into his thigh. He was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | KS | Manufacturing | "An employee was at the jobsite preparing to help with the use of a new rock clamp that is operated by machine but guided into place by hand on the ground. The employee reached and gripped the bottom of the clamp to move it. Linkage activated that crushed his left middle fingertip resulting in an amputation." | |
| 2025 | TX | Construction | "An employee was positioning a form brace before using a nail gun to secure it in place. The employee set his nail gun down on a rebar form, and when he picked it up, it discharged a nail that penetrated his abdomen. The employee required surgery to repair his stomach." | |
| 2025 | PA | Construction | "An employee was utilizing a jersey barrier clamp that was hooked to a chain. The beam clamp was being set down on the bed of a truck when the chain got caught. The employee was working to untangle the chain when the clamp came down and crushed their right little finger. About 1 inch of the finger was amputated." | |
| 2025 | IL | Construction | "An employee was sheathing a roof when his nail gun discharged a nail into his right ankle." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Workers' Compensation is designed to cover your medical expenses and lost wages for injuries sustained on the job, regardless of fault. If your injury occurred while performing work duties, you are generally entitled to benefits. An attorney can help you ensure your claim is filed correctly and that you receive the full compensation you are owed.
Your employer has a legal obligation to maintain equipment in a safe working condition and provide necessary protective gear. If a fastener failed because of poor maintenance or lack of inspection, your employer may be held accountable for your injury. An attorney can investigate whether your employer violated safety standards and help you pursue the benefits you deserve.
OSHA requires employers to report any work-related incident that results in hospitalization, amputation, or the loss of an eye. Because fastener accidents frequently cause amputations and deep lacerations, many of these cases meet the criteria for federal reporting. If your injury required hospitalization, an attorney can help you navigate the complexities of your Workers' Compensation claim.
Determining the validity of your claim involves reviewing the circumstances of your accident, the nature of your injuries, and your employer's safety protocols. Even if you were performing your job as instructed, equipment failure is often a sign of broader safety issues. An attorney can evaluate the details of your case to help you understand your legal options and potential benefits.