You rely on your hands for everything; so they are worth protecting against the many hazards they encounter in the workplace.
Some of the injuries which can happen to your hands include:
- Crushed by moving materials or machinery.
- Cut by knives or powered blades.
- Burned by temperature extremes or chemicals.
- Pinched between objects.
Suggestions for keeping your hands safe on the job:
1)Pay attention to what you are doing. Hand injuries occur during a moment of distraction.
2)Use machine guards correctly. Make sure all guards are in place and functioning correctly before using a machine. Never tamper with a machine guard.
3)Do not wear jewelry or loose clothing, including loose gloves, around moving machinery. Your clothing could catch in the machinery and pull you in where you could be crushed.
4)Beware of pinch points. These are danger zones where you can be pinched between 2 moving objects or between a moving object and a stationary object. In both instances your hand could be crushed.
5)Use the right tool for the job and use it correctly. Use vises, clamps, sawhorses and other devices to steady the material on which you are working. Many hand injuries occur when the tool or the material suddenly slips.
6)Keep your hands clean. Wash them as often as required to remove dirt, grease and chemicals. Never use a solvent to clean your hands. Solvents strip away the natural oils and can cause severe irritation.
7)Get first aid from the Medics for all hand injuries. Minor cuts have a way of escalating into major infections.
8)Use the gloves you need to protect your hands from hazards. Ask HSE or your Supervisor for guidance in choosing the right kind of gloves.
Some of the injuries which can happen to your hands include:
- Crushed by moving materials or machinery.
- Cut by knives or powered blades.
- Burned by temperature extremes or chemicals.
- Pinched between objects.
Suggestions for keeping your hands safe on the job:
1)Pay attention to what you are doing. Hand injuries occur during a moment of distraction.
2)Use machine guards correctly. Make sure all guards are in place and functioning correctly before using a machine. Never tamper with a machine guard.
3)Do not wear jewelry or loose clothing, including loose gloves, around moving machinery. Your clothing could catch in the machinery and pull you in where you could be crushed.
4)Beware of pinch points. These are danger zones where you can be pinched between 2 moving objects or between a moving object and a stationary object. In both instances your hand could be crushed.
5)Use the right tool for the job and use it correctly. Use vises, clamps, sawhorses and other devices to steady the material on which you are working. Many hand injuries occur when the tool or the material suddenly slips.
6)Keep your hands clean. Wash them as often as required to remove dirt, grease and chemicals. Never use a solvent to clean your hands. Solvents strip away the natural oils and can cause severe irritation.
7)Get first aid from the Medics for all hand injuries. Minor cuts have a way of escalating into major infections.
8)Use the gloves you need to protect your hands from hazards. Ask HSE or your Supervisor for guidance in choosing the right kind of gloves.