Tool Box Talk: Hand Safety

Hand Safety

WE do many wonderful and useful things with our hands.

We work, we play, we eat, and we ask important questions “WITH OUR HANDS”.

Some of us may hold our children and grand-children with our amazing wonderful hands.

Young or Old, BIG or small, we need our hands.

My hands are worth caring for are yours???

I guess you figured out by now we are talking about “HAND SAFETY.”

Did you know your hand is your most important tool?

Typical Injuries

• Bruises
• Cuts
• Puncture wounds
• Burns
• Broken and/or severed fingers

Facts

• Failure to use guards, kill-switches, or to follow appropriate lock-out procedures are among the leading hand hazards.
• Men are 9 times more likely to receive a hand injury than women.
• Most hand injuries could have been avoided with adequate PPE.
• The most common type of hand injury is a crushing injury.

Common Causes of Hand Injuries

• Not using the right tool for the job.
• Not wearing PPE or not wearing the right PPE.
• Flash fire.
• Using faulty machinery or equipment.
• Wearing jewellery or loose-fitting clothing around moving parts.

Guidelines for Hand Safety

• Know the hazards of your surroundings.
• Always use guards, shields & other protective devices when appropriate.
• Always use the right tool for the job.
• 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.
• Never wear gloves, jewellery, or loose clothing when working with moving machine parts.
• Always use the right PPE for the job.
• When wearing gloves, make sure they fit & are rated for the specific task you are performing.
• When using chemicals consult the MSDS or your supervisor for proper glove type.

Please take care of your wonderfully amazing hands.

And a bonus quote from Benjamin Franklin:

“The secret of success is constancy to purpose.”

Thanks for the share, TO!