Hand Protection
Hand injuries are common in workplace. This is because the hands are engaged in almost all activities on the job. Can you imagine any occupation that does not make use of the hand?
Hands are so important because of their utility. They provide us with the dexterity needed to perform most daily activities. In fact, hands, as tools, are so versatile and can perform many intricate functions more than any single known tool developed by man.
Suitable gloves should be worn when chemicals and harmful temperature are present or when employees are at risk for cuts, lacerations, abrasions, punctures or burns. Glove selection should be based on performance characteristics of the gloves, conditions, duration of use and hazards present. One type of glove will not work in all situations.
The first step in glove selection for use against chemicals is to determine the exact nature of the substances. Read instructions and warnings on chemical container labels and Material Safety Data Sheets before working with any chemical. Recommended glove types are often listed on such labels in the PPE section.
Types of hand protection.
Gloves can be divided into three groups:
- Durable work gloves. Made of metal mesh, leather or canvas and provide protection against cuts, burns and sustained heat. Leather gloves protect against sparks, moderate heat, blows, chips and rough objects. Welders specifically should use leather gloves.
- Fabric and coated fabric gloves. Made of cotton or other fabrics to provide varying degrees of protection. They can protect against dirt, slivers, chafing and abrasion. Cut protection can be accomplished using kevlar or similar materials in gloves. The newest versions of the cut free gloves also offer chemical resistance and excellent hand dexterity. Fabric gloves do not provide sufficient protection for working with rough, sharp or heavy material. However, adding a plastic coating to some fabric gloves strengthens them and makes them effective protection for a variety of tasks ranging from handling bricks and wire rope to handling chemical containers in laboratory operations.
- Chemical and liquid resistant gloves. Made of rubber, plastic or synthetic rubber-like material, they protect workers from burns, irritation and dermatitis caused by contact with oils, greases, solvents and other chemicals. The use of rubber gloves also reduces the risk of exposure to blood and other potentially infectious substances.
Someone commented that the “hands and fingers are the instruments of the mind.” If that is true, it must become very difficult to be productive when your hands are injured or lost as a result of an accident. Whatever the construction craft, a worker must be able to use both hands in order to get the job accomplished.
Causes of Hand Injuries:
- Inattention.
- Taking chances.
- Exposure to rough materials.
- Stacking of heavy materials (i.e., getting your hand or fingers caught between materials).
- Cut by sharp objects.
- Mashed (or hit by) tools.
- Burns.
- Caught in machinery.
- Wear gloves whenever possible.
- Pay attention to the task being performed.
- Use the proper tools.
- Make sure any equipment used has hand guards in place.
Your hands may look tough, but when you get scratches, cuts, bruises or mashed that seriously injure your hands, you take a chance of losing them. In this business you can’t work without them.
Should any injuries occur to your hands, be use to get immediate treatment. Without treatment, a minor cut can turn into a major problem with infection.
Sharp edges, pinch points, protruding objects, splinters, exposed blades on unguarded machinery and many more. These conditions may not always be too obvious to the working person.
Pinch points are basically traps for the hand especially. Doors may pinch your fingers if you get them caught in a jam. Paying attention and being aware of their existence helps us to avoid pinch points. We also need to take the proper precautions to avoid being pinched.
Our hands are also subject to cuts, bruises, burns and poking. Handling sharp objects, hot objects, rough materials and splinters without the necessary hand protection are sure signs of invitation for hand injury. A necessary precaution to take is to wear approved work gloves.
Not all gloves protect you from all hand injuries. Check the appropriateness of the glove for the task before using them. Precautions must still be taken to reduce the level of danger before handling very dangerous material. Lockout machinery and power before reaching into them.
Check and clear doorways and aisles and make sure you have proper head clearance before you move loads through.
Machines are guarded to avoid accidental exposure of its moving parts to the hands and parts of the body. Make sure machines are guarded at all times.
- Do not wear rings or wedding bands when working with machinery.
- Do not pick up broken glass or spilled machine parts with your bare hands.
- Work gloves cannot prevent all hand injuries—only safe work practices can do that.
- Your hands will obey any commands your brain sends them. Use your brain. Avoid dangers and protect your hands. You need them as long as you live.
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