HAND SAFETY

Your hands are your most important tool. Over 16 million people suffer hand injuries per year. Over a quarter million of those are serious & often disabling injuries each year. 25% of all industrial injuries involve the hand.

Facts
The most common type of hand injury is a crushing or compression injury. Men are 9 times more likely to receive a hand injury than women. Most hand injuries involve a lack of adequate personal protective equipment.

Fact
Each year, more than 115,000 workers end up in the emergency room as a result of hand-tool-related injuries.

Fact
Some 30,000 persons are injured annually using hammers. 25,000 using standard blade screwdrivers & crescent wrenches.

Screw Driver stab wound to palm

Common Causes
Use of unprotected or faulty machinery or equipment. Failure to use guards, kill-switches, or to follow appropriate lock-out procedures are among the leading hand hazards. Wearing jewelry, gloves, or loose-fitting clothing around moving parts can also lead to injury.

LO/TO

Causes
Chemicals, corrosives, & other irritating substances can cause burns & skin inflammation unless appropriate hand protection is used. Improper use or maintenance of the hand tool. Lack of protective gloves or not using the appropriate accessories for the tool.

Typical Injuries
Puncture wounds Severed fingers Broken fingers Contusions Temperature extremes Electrical hazards

NO GUARDS ON MACHINE

Guidelines for Hand Safety

Be alert to potential hand hazards before an accident can happen. Be alert to possible unguarded pinch points. Always use guards, shields & other protective devices when appropriate.

Do not remove guards.

Unguarded Grinder

Guidelines Continued
Use brushes to wipe away debris. Inspect equipment & machinery before & after tasks to make sure that it is in good operating condition. Disconnect power & follow established lock-out procedures before repairing or cleaning machinery.

Guidelines Continued
Never wear jewelry, or loose clothing
when working with moving machine parts. Use the appropriate

personal protective equipment.

When wearing gloves, be sure they fit properly & are rated for the specific task you are performing.

Ring Amputation (Ring Finger)

NOT ALL GLOVES ARE THE SAME!!!!!!!

Consult your products MSDS or Supervisor for proper glove type.

3rd Degree burns to welder involved in a flash fire. Welder was not using proper PPE; he was using a lite cotton glove which continued to burn after the flash fire was out

Could these have prevented the accident????

SELECT PROPER TOOLS

Use the right tool for the job Select tools that will keep your wrists straight to avoid repetitive motion/overuse problems.

WRONG TOOL FOR THE JOB

Using a knife to cut plastic pipe!!!!!!!!!!

IS IT WORTH TAKING A CHANCE

TAKE CARE OF YOUR HANDS.