Hand and Finger Injuries

WORKING AS A TEAM
TO PREVENT HANDS
AND FINGER INJURIES

Warning: this presentation contains medical

photographs of a graphical nature
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 HANDS AND FINGERS
SAFETY CAMPAIGN 2005

HOW MANY FINGERS

DO YOU HAVE?

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 Your Gift from Birth

You are given two hands i.e.

• 2 Thumbs
• 8 Fingers

Which one can you afford to loose?

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 !!NONE!!

Everyone is as precious as the next!

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 Why Are Hand Injuries Still Happening?

Even when people seem to know of the existence of

Hazards at Work Sites, Offices and at Home………..
WHY ??? Because………….

– “It won’t happen to me!”

– “I’ve been doing it that
way for years!!”
– “There isn’t a better way.”
– “It is faster this way.”
– “Lets see if this works”
– and more …

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 Why Are Hand Injuries Still Happening?

• People are not able to recognize the hazards

• Risks not fully assessed
• Inattention or lack of focus
• Boredom with a routine job
• Safety vs production
• Lifting / applying force incorrectly
• Using the incorrect tool for the job
• Procedures not followed or understood
• Cutting corners/rushing
• Not looking after green hands
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Are they doing the correct thing?
Why? Please discuss

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Keep your hands out of harms way

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Is he doing the correct thing?
Why? Please discuss
Plan… Plan…. Plan…. Plan…. your work !!!

To prevent from injury, use

these !!!

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 Types of hand injuries

• Wrist fractures
• Hand and finger fractures
• Hand sprain
• Fingertip injury Pictures for discussion
• Lacerations Picture for discussion
• Nerve compression
• Burns Example
• Amputations (fingers or hands) Picture for discussion

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 What is the Key to Prevention?

• UNDERSTAND the task you are about to start. If

you have any doubts, ask questions

• Be AWARE of ALL the possible hazards, ASSESS

the risk and then CONTROL them – it will help save
you a lot of potential pain

• THINK for yourself if the procedure for the task is

correct and the best practice

• FEEDBACK to your work colleagues, friends and

managers. You might just save someone else's finger

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 What Can You Do?

Engage your Hearts & Minds before & during work

activities:
• Pre-tour/Pre-job Quality Toolbox Meeting
• Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
• Follow Procedures or Work Instructions
• Permit to Work
• Keep an eye on people less experienced than you
• Others????

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 SOME CONTROLS MEASURES

• Wear the correct PPE to protect your hands

• Get help lifting awkward and heavy items
• Do you know what chemical your handling?
Recognise hazardous elements
• Keep the hands away from moving & rotating machines
• Avoid surface contact (heat etc.) Gloves!
• Do not put your hand in where you cannot see it
• Know and be aware which hand is in which place
• Do not put fingers inside pipe and tubing while handling
• Do not put your hand or fingers between flanges or
in the bolt holes
• Be aware and keep away from pinch conditions
• Use the correct tools and size
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Discuss the types of injuries
these workers might sustain?

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 SOME CONTROLS MEASURES : (Cont’d)

• Do not work with gloves or hands which are oily

• Use correct gloves: type, size, and grip

• Be aware of handling chemical materials

• Wash hands after handling chemical materials

• Do not wear jewelry, keep it for home!

• Make sure all tools are in good condition

• Obtain first aid at once for any injuries.

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Who prevents Hand and Finger Injuries

!!! YOU !!!

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 Thank you.
Are there any questions?

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 BACK-UPS
(PICTURES)

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Can these hands be used
for gripping any more?

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Please discuss HOW this could happen?

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Why do you think this happened?

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