Industrial hand injuries in Pacific Island immigrants.

There is a disturbingly high incidence of heavy machinery, industrial hand mutilation, involving recent Pacific Island immigrants many of whom have a poor comprehension of English. A survey of cases admitted to the Hutt Hospital during eight monts of 1973, showed a proportionately greater incidence of severe injuries amongst these immigrants, and indicates that one causative factor is unsuitable selection of works for this dangerous machinery, coupled with inadequate instruction in its use and safety precautions.