Hand Safety Training

HSES Training Department

Hand Safety
The Next Step
In 1999, hand and arm injuries accounted for a majority of injuries. Manual material handling and hand safety incidents have long been a major source of injuries. Can we take the same approach to hand safety that we take to fall safety - Prevention first, protection second? Weve moved from tying people off (Protection) to eliminating the hazard (Prevention) Weve taken the next step in fall prevention, lets take, THE NEXT STEP, in hand safety.
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Hand Safety
Take a moment to hold your hands out in front of you. Look at them. They are the only two hands you will ever have. It has been estimated that almost 20% of all disabling accidents on the job involve the hands. Without your fingers or hands, your ability to work, would be greatly reduced. Human hands are unique. No other creature in the world has hands that can grasp, hold, move, and manipulate objects like human hands. They are one of your greatest assets. And, as such, must be protected and cared for.
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Hand Safety
How would you answer this question,
What is the most used tool in industry?
Hammer
Screwdriver Crescent wrench Drill motor

Hands

Hand Safety
The most used tool in almost any workplace is the; The Human Hand
Try writing without using your thumb Try holding a hammer with only two fingers Hand protection is important because our hands are exposed to so many hazards in the workplace.
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Requirements
(for Hand Safety)
General Requirements
Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.
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Hand Safety
Behaviours
Blades which can cut or amputate your fingers or hands.

Use push sticks and tongs to keep your hands away from blades or hot objects.
Rough surfaces and sharp edges which can scrape or cut the skin. Use a grinder or file to remove the rough surface. Machinery which can pinch or crush your fingers. Make certain the equipment has been locked out and all energy sources have been disconnected. Consider the force of gravity. Keep your hands out from under suspended or elevated loads.
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Hand Safety
Behaviors
Chemicals which can irritate or burn the skin (make certain that the gloves that your have on are the correct ones). Heat and Cold ( Cool off hot material before handling it, even gloved, erect a barrier against cold and hot surfaces). The condition of your hands give some indication of your past. If you are like most us, you have one or more visible scars, each with its on story,and perhaps the result of being caught in a, PINCH POINT
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Hand Safety
A pinch point can exist anytime two objects come together. A classic example is where a closing door and door frame come together, a time and place where you do not want your hand. Here are some actual cases of pinch points
1 A iron worker injured his fingers when a beam shifted and pinched his fingers between the beam flange and the equipment housing. 2 An employees hand was pinched between the hand rail of a man-lift basket and the pipe support.

In both examples, gloves did little to prevent the injury. The key to prevent hand injuries as a result of pinch points is to avoid them all together. To do so requires hazard identification and recognition.
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Hand Safety
In order to properly position your hands, you must first recognize the hazard and then develop a plan (typically a safe work practice) to help keep your hands from being injured.
Use equipment to move materials when possible, not manual means.

Keep your hands inside the basket on the protected hand holds of the man-lift , not the top rail of the basket.

The best safety device for your hands is your mind. By being alert and aware you can avoid poor positioning of your hands, keep them out of the areas that will harm your most valuable tools: your Hands.
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Hand Safety
Stored Energy
First lets define stored energy Stored energy is pent-up energy that could be released unexpectedly if it is not controlled. Examples: Hydraulic fluids under pressure Compressed air Energy stored in springs Process chemicals under pressure Potential energy from elevated objects (Gravity) Energy in your arms as you, for example, push or pull a pry bar or wrench
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Hand Safety
Stored Energy
What can we do to protect our hands from stored energy? First, we need to recognize that it exists. Stored energy is not always recognized. The electrical power on a piece of shop equipment may be locked out but pressure may still be present in a hydraulic cylinder. A valve or blind may have pressure against it due to a leaking valve, upstream. An unrecognized high center of gravity may cause a piece of equipment to topple over unexpectedly.
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Hand Safety
What work practices can we follow to prevent hand injuries from stored energy.

Always Lock and Tag out energy sources.

Look for other multiple energy sources on the same equipment. Bleed off stored energy in cylinders When applying force (push or pull) prepare for the unexpected slip or release. NEVER place your face in the direct line, when using a hand wrench.
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Hand Safety
Keep hands from under suspended or elevated loads. Consider the force of gravity.

Use the right tool for the job, and only those in good condition
Recognize that gloves will not fully prevent injury from stored energy.

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Hand Safety
Traumatic Injuries
You can suffer a traumatic injury to your hands in many ways. - Tools and machines with a sharp edges can cut your hands. - Staples, screwdrivers, nails, chisels, and stiff wire can puncture your hands. - Getting your hands caught in machinery can sprain, crush, or remove your hands and fingers.

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Hand Safety
Contact Injuries
Coming into contact with caustic or toxic chemicals, biological substances, electrical sources, or extremely cold or hot objects can irritate or burn your hands. WARNING: Toxic substances are poisonous substances that can be absorbed through your skin and enter your body.

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Hand Safety
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Whenever you repeat the same hand movement over a long period of time, you run the risk of repetitive motion problems. Repetitive motion problems often appear as a numbness or tingling sensation accompanied by pain and the loss of gripping power in your hands.

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Hand Safety
Think of almost any job in our plant, from sweeping the warehouse to working on any of our equipment.

Your hands and fingers are the tools you use every working day.
The First Defense The first defense in the battle to reduce hand injuries are engineering controls designed into equipment during their manufacture or those added later to make it safe and hazard free. Machine guards protect hands and fingers from moving parts and shall not be altered or removed.

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Hand Safety
Good housekeeping practices are also an important part of a prevention plan for hand protection. Germicidal soaps, and cleansing creams remove dirt, grease and other chemicals from the skin after exposure. Good housekeeping also applies to tools and your work area. Cluttered aisles, sloppy work habits also can contribute to hand and other injuries.
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Hand Safety
Types of Protective Equipment
Gloves can help reduce the frequency and severity of hand and finger injuries. PPE is available in forms of gloves, hand pads and barrier creams.

Asbestos Gloves or Asbestos lining are PROHIBITED.

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Hand Safety
Types of Gloves
Durable work gloves made of metal mesh, leather or canvas. Fabric and coated fabric gloves.

Chemical and liquid resistant gloves.

Insulating rubber gloves*
* These types of gloves are used for electrical hazards.

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Hand Safety
Leather Gloves
Leather gloves protect against sparks, moderate heat, blows, chips and rough objects. Welders and Pipe-fitters need this durability of high quality leather gloves Welders gloves, (heavy duty) good quality leather glove, used for handling moderately hot materials.

Welders gloves (TIG) - Smooth finished with red cuff.

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Hand Safety
Leather Gloves
Leather gloves - Use by the riggers and operators, (long cuffed & short cuffed). Truck drivers gloves - leather, smooth finish, good general purpose glove.

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Hand Safety
Vinyl Gloves
Vinyl gloves - should only be used for minor tasks, such as trash pick up, these are the yellow gloves.

Nitrile Gloves
Nitrile gloves - should be used for handling Hexane and Hydrocarbons, stands up to heavy use, even after prolonged exposure that cause other gloves to deteriorate.

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Hand Safety
Kevlar Blend Gloves
Kevlar blend gloves - provide a

unique combination of toughness, flexibility, and exceptional thermal stability.

Use these when cutting and exposure to mild heat.

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Hand Safety
Neoprene Gloves
Neoprene gloves - These are the black, elbow length gloves used for handling and cleaning of acid. Neoprene protect workers from burns, irritation, and dermatitis caused by contact with oils, greases, solvents, hydraulic fluids, gasoline, alcohols, organic acids and alkalis.

Bead Blasting Gloves

Bead blasting gloves - are to be used for the maintenance shop bead blasting machine ONLY.
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Hand Safety
Latex Gloves
Latex gloves - Rubber gloves reduces the risk of exposure to blood and other potentially infectious substances. Comfortable to wear and pliability along with their protective qualities make them a popular general purpose glove. Protects workers hands from most water solutions of acids, alkalis, salts.

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Hand Safety
Proper Glove Fit
Wear only gloves that fit your hands. Gloves that are too small can tire your hands

Gloves that are too large are clumsy to work with.

Wearing gloves around moving equipment, shall be done with great caution. The glove may get caught and pull your hand into the machinery.
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Hand Safety
Barrier Creams
Barrier creams or lotions can be used by themselves or along with other types of PPE. Vanishing cream - usually contains soap and emollients to coat the skin (makes clean up easier).

Water repellent cream - an insoluble film on the skin (protects against irritants in water - alkalis and acid).
Solvent repellent creams - protects against irritating solvents and oils.

Remember that these creams does not protect against highly corrosive substances.
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Hand Safety
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
The pressure of repetitive motion causes tingling, numbness, or severe pain in the wrists or hands. Short, frequent breaks with exercise to the wrist, elbows and shoulders will increase circulation and allow the body to recover from repetitive movements. Keep the wrist in a straight position when ever possible, and reduce the speed and force of movements involving the wrist. Minor cases of CTS may be cured simply with a few days rest, but serious, chronic cases may require surgery.

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Hand Safety
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
However, surgery is expensive and does not guarantee long term relief. Some other treatments include medication or splints which allows worker to use the hand, but prevents him or her from bending it. Avoid anything that hampers wrist circulation. Grasp objects with the whole hand if possible.

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Hand Safety
First Aid
For cuts - control the bleed with direct pressure on the wound For broken bones - immobilize the injured hand

For chemical or thermal burns place the hand under running water and flush for 10 to 20 minutes
Remember, some chemicals react with water, read the MSDS for first aid information
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Hand Safety
First Aid
For more serious hand or arm injuries like amputation, act quickly.
Control bleeding or shock first. Keep the severed part cool, dont

freeze it!

Dont apply a tourniquet unless the person is in danger of bleeding to death. Get medical attention as soon as possible, and report the injury.
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Hand Safety
( Recap)
The type of PPE you select will depend upon the nature of the hazard in your workplace. Gloves should fit you properly and maintained in the same careful way as other safety equipment. Barrier creams may be used when other forms of protection are not practical. Reapply them often. Barrier creams DO NOT protect against from highly corrosive materials. Know the symptoms of CTS and seek medical attention. In the event of a hand injury, know proper first aid procedures. Offer only the help you are trained to provide.
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Hand Safety
( Recap)
Behaviors Use push sticks and tongs to keep your hands clear. Behaviors Chemicals which can burn your skin, check for the correct type of gloves Cool off material before handling it, even gloved. Keep your hands out from suspended loads Remember the force of gravity
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Use a grinder to remove the rough surfaces.

Make certain that the equipment has been locked out and energy sources removed

Hand Safety
( Recap)
Stored Energy Defined as Pent-Up energy Examples
Hydraulic Fluids under pressure Compressed air Energy stored in springs Elevated objects (gravity) Energy in your arms and hands pushing and pulling on wrenchs

Stored Energy First, recognize that the hazard exist. Lock Out and Tag Out Look for multiple energy sources on the same equipment Bleed off cylinders

When applying force prepare for the unexpected slip or release and NEVER put your face in the line of 36 fire

Hand Safety
Closing
There are few activities on or off the job that do not require the use of your hands and arms in some way. Driving, eating, writing, and even holding your loved one - the list can go on and on. Make sure your hands last a life time, they are the only pair you will ever get! Protect your most valuable tools:

Your Hands
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