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Eight Finger Two Thumbs

And in the blink of eye


Six fingers one thumb
HAND SAFETY

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Areas of Concern

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Corrected Situation

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Areas of Concern?

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Corrected Situation!

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Areas of Concern?

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Corrected Situation!

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What’s Wrong?

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Areas of Concern?

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Corrected Situation!

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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
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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
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Requirements for Hand Safety

 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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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 handsP bar Y Safety Consultants Alberta Canada
out from under suspended or elevated
Behaviours

 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,
P bar“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.

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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
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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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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
 Consider the force of gravity.

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Hand Safety

 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.
 Keep hands from under
suspended or elevated loads.
 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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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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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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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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The First Defence

 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 defence 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


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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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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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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
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Canada
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.
 Leather gloves - Use by the riggers
and operators, (long cuffed & short
cuffed).
 Truck drivers gloves - leather,
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smooth finish, good general
Vinyl Gloves

 Vinyl gloves - should only


be used for minor tasks,
such as trash pick up, these
are the yellow gloves.

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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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:
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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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, alcohol’s, organic
acids and alkalis.
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Bead Blasting Gloves

 Bead blasting gloves - are


to be used for the
maintenance shop bead
blasting machine ONLY.

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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
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from most water solutions
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
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machinery.
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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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.
 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
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Consultants Alberta or her from bending it.
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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 Canada
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First Aid

 For more serious hand or arm


injuries like amputation, act
quickly.

 Control bleeding or shock first.

 Keep the severed part cool,


don’t freeze it!
 Don’t 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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Conclusion

 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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