If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Hit the emergency stop or pull cord. Shout for help if you can't reach it.
- 2Call 911 for any hand caught in a conveyor.
- 3Don't pull your hand free if it's trapped. Wait for the line to be locked out and for help.
- 4Once free, press a clean cloth on bleeding and raise the hand above your heart.
- 5If any part was cut off, wrap it in damp clean gauze, seal it in a bag and put the bag in ice water.
- 6Remove rings from the injured hand if you can.
- 7Make sure the injury is reported to your supervisor in writing.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Conveyor injuries in warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing and mining often happen while clearing a jam, cleaning, reaching for a fallen item, or when a glove or sleeve gets caught. Your written report should say what you were doing, which conveyor and where, whether the guard was in place, and whether the line had been locked out.
Write down whether the emergency stop worked and how long it took. Ask that the conveyor be left as it is for inspection.
Your employer generally sends the report to its insurer or claims administrator. Deadlines to report and file vary by state, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible.
Keep photos, hospital paperwork and the names of coworkers who helped. A long hand recovery creates many appointments, so keep a log.
Getting medical care
Emergency care comes first. Hand injuries from conveyors are often followed by hand and upper extremity specialists or orthopedics, with physical or hand therapy afterward. A licensed clinician decides what imaging and care are appropriate after an evaluation.
Tell every clinician your hand was pulled into a conveyor at work and how long it was trapped. Report numbness, coldness or color changes right away. Some states and employers have rules about which provider handles follow-up, so ask your employer or adjuster.
If you're prescribed medication or splints, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions and supplies are handled. Home delivery can help when you can't drive.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- You have lasting loss of grip, feeling or movement, or lost part of a finger or hand.
- The guard was missing or the lockout process wasn't followed.
- The emergency stop didn't work.
- The conveyor was made, installed or serviced by another company.
- Your claim is denied or delayed, or you're blamed for reaching in.
- There are disputes about surgery or hand therapy.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Hand recovery often takes many therapy sessions. Keep every appointment and do the home exercises; stiffness and scarring are common challenges.
Ask your doctor for clear restrictions and ask your employer about one-handed or non-line work while you heal.
Many people feel anxious near the line after this kind of injury. Tell your clinician, and ask your employer what changes have been made. Keep your supervisor and adjuster updated.
Questions to ask
- Doctor: Are bones, tendons, nerves or blood flow damaged?
- Doctor: How long will hand therapy last?
- Employer: Was the guard in place and the emergency stop working?
- Employer: Can I get a copy of the incident report?
- Adjuster: What is my claim number, and can I see a hand specialist?
- Adjuster: How are therapy sessions handled?
- Attorney: The conveyor had no guard at that pinch point. Does that matter?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if my hand gets caught in a conveyor belt?
Hit the emergency stop and call 911. Don't pull your hand out if it's trapped; wait for the line to be locked out. Once free, press on bleeding and raise the hand.
Is a conveyor belt hand injury covered by workers' comp?
Conveyor injuries on the job are often handled through workers' compensation, depending on your state and situation. Report it in writing. Check deadlines with your state's agency.
What injuries does a conveyor belt cause?
Crush injuries, deep cuts, fractures, burns from friction and skin pulled away from the hand are common. These often need specialist care. Get emergency evaluation.
What if the conveyor guard was missing?
Note it in your report and ask that the conveyor be left for inspection. A missing guard or a defective machine may raise other questions. Many people talk with an attorney.
Will I get full use of my hand back?
That depends on the injury, and only your clinicians can speak to it. Therapy often plays a big part. Ask your hand specialist what to expect.
Can I go back to the line after a conveyor injury?
Your doctor decides when and how. Ask for written restrictions. Ask your employer about other work and safety changes.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).