Hand Safety

• 70% of those injured were not wearing gloves

• Most of the other 30% were wearing gloves that were inadequate,
damaged, or the wrong type for the hazard
 
We are each accountable to keep our hands safe
Some typical Hand & Finger Incidents
• Cut finger on sharp edge when
tightening hose fitting
• Injured party fell whilst descending
stairs sustained bruising to left ring
finger
• Stripping insulating material cut
finger
• Selecting a sheet of metal, hand
slipped causing laceration requiring 2
stitches
• Spark from welding caused nearby
material to ignite causing burn to 3
fingers
• Wedding ring finger snagged finger
amputated
 Reported Hand Injury
Contributory Factors
• Hand and powered tools
• Vibration
• Crushing/Pinch Points
• Dropped Objects
• Struck by moving parts
• Contact with Substances
• Slips, Trips & Falls
• Temperature extremes
• Electricity
• Entanglement
• Jewellery
• Sharp objects
Traumatic Injuries
You can suffer a traumatic injury to your
hands in many ways.

 Tools and machines with 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 hand or fingers
(especially when wearing jewellery at
work).
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.
 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.
If you start having these symptoms, take a
break. Also, simple hand exercises such as
flexing the wrist and stretching the fingers
will help.
If the problem persists, talk with your
Supervisor or consult the Doctor/Nurse.
Preventative Measures
Housekeeping and Hygiene
Poorly maintained machinery, tools,
sloppy work areas, and cluttered
aisles all contribute to hand injuries.

Good hygiene includes hand

washing. Hand washing helps to
remove germs and dirt from your
hands. Clean hands are less
susceptible to infection and other
skin problems such as contact
dermatitis.
Personal Protective Equipment
Gloves
There are many type of gloves that are
designed to protect your hands.

Metal mesh gloves resist sharp edges and prevent cuts.

Leather gloves shield your hands from rough surfaces.

Vinyl and neoprene gloves protect your hands

against toxic chemicals.

Rubber gloves protect you when working around

electricity.
Personal Protective Equipment
If in doubt talk with your supervisor or HSE
Advisor about the type of glove you should
be using on your job.

Padded cloth gloves protect your hands from sharp

edges, slivers, dirt, and vibration.

Heat resistant gloves protect your hands from heat

and flames.

Latex disposable gloves are used to protect your

hands from germs, bacteria and dermatitis.

Lead-lined gloves are used to protect your hands

from radiation sources.
Wearing and Using Gloves: Must Do`s

• Select and use the right kind of glove for the job you are going to
do.
• Select gloves that fit.
• Assess the risk any rings, watches, or bracelets that might cut/
tear your gloves or snag the wearer`s hand / fingers.
• Wash your hands before and after wearing your gloves.
• Inspect your gloves before you use them. Look for tears, holes or
cracks that might leak.
• Replace gloves that are worn or torn.
• Look after your gloves and they will look after you
Wearing and Using Gloves: Must Do`s

• Some gloves may be chemical specified and have a life

expectancy. Discard them after the recommended time has
expired.
• After working with chemicals, hold your gloved hands under
running water to rinse away any chemicals or dirt before
removing the gloves.
• Wash cotton gloves as needed.
• Avoid borrowing gloves. Gloves are Personal Protective
Equipment. (PPE)
• Store gloves right side out in a clean, cool, dry, ventilated area.
• Never wear gloves around powered rotating equipment - drills,
lathes, etc.
The following types of gloves are available

NBR (Nitrile Buna Kevlar Cut Resist

Rubber) impregnated Gloves with polka
Rigger Gloves dot grips

Hide Leather faced

Rigger Gloves
Kevlar Cut Resist
Gloves
Porous NBR Fully
Coated Knit Wrist
Edge Gloves Vinyl disposable
gloves. For food
Black Rubber preparation or
Gauntlets for laboratory work.
chemical use
 ASSESS THE RISK
MATCH THE GLOVE TO THE HAZARD
Look for these commonly used pictograms they will help you decide
Other Protective Measures
Barrier Creams
• Water Repellent Creams are used to
protect your hands from caustic
chemicals.
• Solvent-Repellent Creams are used to
protect your hands from solvents, oils,
and other organic chemicals.
• Sunscreens protect your skin from the
damaging effects of the sun.
• Vanishing Creams protect your skin
against mild acids, and make cleaning up
easier.
• WARNING: Never substitute a barrier
cream when you should use gloves.
 What can we do?
Everyone in the field exposes
their hands to risk of injury.
We need to eliminate the
hazard or reduce the risk to
As Low As Reasonably
Practical (ALARP)
• Assess the risk
• Permit To Work
• Task Risk Assessment
• Review Procedures
• Personal Risk Awareness
 Taking Personal Control of your
Hand Health and Safety
• Take time out, and take a fresh look at your procedures.
• Think about how you can injure your hands Think
“what if” and be aware of the hazards and the risk of
injury
• Consider the human factors including physical
capabilities, competency and training
• Take stock of the task, environment, weather and plan
your task to suit
• Ensure equipment and tools are fit for purpose.
• Use the correct Hand PPE, but remember PPE is a last
resort, it only protects when all else has failed.
• Take Hand Safety home with you..