Hand hazards

Over a quarter of a million employees – from machine operators to lab technicians to office assistants – suffer hand injuries every year. The injuries are caused by the use of faulty machinery or equipment, chemical burns, electrical hazards, constant repetitive motion and getting clothing or jewelry caught in the moving parts of machines.

By following established safety guidelines and using the proper PPE many hand injuries can be avoided:

* Be alert to possible unguarded pinch points
* Use push-sticks, guards, shields and other protective devices when appropriate
* Jewelry should not be worn within an arm’s length of rotating or operating machinery, tools or electrical switch areas
* Know the hazards of chemicals by reading the material safety data sheets
* When working with machinery, use proper guarding around moving equipment
* Select tools designed to keep wrists straight to avoid repetitive motion and overuse problems
* Always wear the proper PPE for the job task, including rubber gloves, electrical gloves, steel mesh gloves and cotton or canvas gloves. Make sure gloves fit properly and are rated for the specific task