Chapter Thirteen: Injuries in the Workplace; They come with the Territory

The most minor of injuries seem to be the worst. They happen every day. They sting so badly that one's immediate reaction is to scream and put one's finger in one's mouth. One has to fight the urge though; it's not good hygiene.

What am I talking about?

The PAPERCUT

Small but definately not insignificant.
My hands are covered with them.

Other injuries include:

1) The squished/smooshed finger. This occurs mainly in books. The customer hands over a pile of dictionaries or encyclopoedias which will inevitably be rested upon one's finger. It can also occur in stationery with such things as those big metal boxes people keep buying. Or laminators. I actually don't think we sell laminators; there is something though; paper cutter maybe? Paper shredding machines are another thing to be wary of.

2) The stapled finger. This can happen on a daily basis. Ouch.

3) When walking around behind the express tills (for example, on the way to the lottery machine), be afraid. Be very afraid. Just watch your step. Occasionally, without warning, a fellow employee will suddenly crouch down on the floor. Not to be random, there is always a good reason. Refilling the plastic bags under each till. Refilling the tobacco drawer. Trying to find a dvd/computer software box in the filing cabinet. Looking for receipt rolls. Stamps. If you should happen to trip over the person in question, this means that there are now two injured people. It's never usually more than a little trip; a banged knee and sore head; a trodden on hand. One may well ask, "Well, what happens if you should happen to actually fall?!" Hopefully we shall never know.

Another point about the "Behind-the-Till" area is *shivers* ~The Pillar~ behind till six. Don't run near it; it will injure your shoulders.

4) When taking a step backwards, be sure to check one's rear-view mirror. Failing that, looking over the shoulder helps. The last time I stepped backwards without looking I was run into and sent flying into the wall. Laughter ensued. Enough said.

5) Beware, the COUNTER-CACHE... Small but not insignificant! Little finger injuries; one's tiny little finger gets in the way and becomes trapped, bursting a few blood vessels under the skin. Goes numb for a while. Funny. Not.