Keep Your Eye on The Hand Many times, hand injuries occur when we take our eyes off the task. This is as simple as putting our hands into areas we don’t have a line of sight of. To stay focused on the task, a mental checklist should be used. By taking the time to think through the task beforehand, safe alternatives can be considered. This ‘visualization’ technique is both tried and true.
Pinch Points
Pinch points are places found between two objects, such as a machine with two continuously moving parts, where hands can get caught.
Rotating Parts
Many machines use rotating motions. Machinery of this type include clutches, spindles and fans. Hand injuries incurred from such machinery are often the result of loose-fitting gloves, which can accidentally feed into the machinery, taking a worker’s hand with it.
Automation
Any machine that is programmed to start on its own is especially dangerous. Even if it’s not currently running, machinery can start up unexpectedly and easily catch hands if a worker is too close and not paying attention.
Hot and Cold Spots
Hot areas in machinery, found in equipment like injection molders and welding instruments, can cause serious burns to the hands. The same goes for hot flames on burners and cutting and brazing equipment. Exposure to extremely cold temperatures and surfaces, such as transfer pipes in refrigeration systems, is equally dangerous and can also cause severe burns.
Entanglement
Jewelry and loose clothing or personal protective equipment can easily get caught in moving machinery and pull a finger or entire hand into the equipment.
Types of Gloves:
Wearing the proper type of PPE, which in the case of your hands would be gloves, is vital when it comes to safety. Protective gloves keep germs and hazardous chemicals off the skin, stop splinters and slivers, resist punctures and cuts from rough or sharp materials and objects, and protect against heat and cold.
It is crucial worker’s wearing gloves that fit correctly since loose-fitting gloves can get caught in machinery. Before using, gloves should always be checked for damage and wear. Workers should use the right type of glove for their job based on their employer’s hazard assessment.
Heat Resistant
Heat resistant gloves protect against burns and heat-related discomfort.
Metal Mesh, Kevlar, Tough Synthetic Yarn
Metal mesh, Kevlar and tough synthetic yarn gloves protect against cuts and punctures are are often used by those who work with knives.
Non-Conductive
Thicker types of non-conductive gloves, often referred to as rubber gloves, are worn by electricians and engineers to protect against low-voltage electricity. Thinner non-conductive gloves, often referred to as surgical gloves, protect the hands from blood-borne substances, as well as some chemicals and corrosives.
Neoprene, Nitrile, Latex, Vinyl
Neoprene, nitrile, latex, and vinyl gloves resist petroleum products and chemicals such as oils, acids, caustics, and solvents.
Leather
Leather gloves resist sparks, chips, rough objects, and heat.
Cotton Fabric
Cotton fabric gloves protect against dirt, slivers, chafing, and abrasion.
Waterproof
Waterproof gloves resist wet environments, and are often insulated with foam to protect against cold as well.
When we don’t have a wrench, our hands fit the bill. Can’t get into a location with a standard tool? Our hands can get into the tight spot and fix the problem. When our hands become our universal ‘duct tape’, we increase the risk of injury by losing focus.
Pinch Points
Pinch points are places found between two objects, such as a machine with two continuously moving parts, where hands can get caught.
Rotating Parts
Many machines use rotating motions. Machinery of this type include clutches, spindles and fans. Hand injuries incurred from such machinery are often the result of loose-fitting gloves, which can accidentally feed into the machinery, taking a worker’s hand with it.
Automation
Any machine that is programmed to start on its own is especially dangerous. Even if it’s not currently running, machinery can start up unexpectedly and easily catch hands if a worker is too close and not paying attention.
Hot and Cold Spots
Hot areas in machinery, found in equipment like injection molders and welding instruments, can cause serious burns to the hands. The same goes for hot flames on burners and cutting and brazing equipment. Exposure to extremely cold temperatures and surfaces, such as transfer pipes in refrigeration systems, is equally dangerous and can also cause severe burns.
Entanglement
Jewelry and loose clothing or personal protective equipment can easily get caught in moving machinery and pull a finger or entire hand into the equipment.
Types of Gloves:
Wearing the proper type of PPE, which in the case of your hands would be gloves, is vital when it comes to safety. Protective gloves keep germs and hazardous chemicals off the skin, stop splinters and slivers, resist punctures and cuts from rough or sharp materials and objects, and protect against heat and cold.
It is crucial worker’s wearing gloves that fit correctly since loose-fitting gloves can get caught in machinery. Before using, gloves should always be checked for damage and wear. Workers should use the right type of glove for their job based on their employer’s hazard assessment.
Heat Resistant
Heat resistant gloves protect against burns and heat-related discomfort.
Metal Mesh, Kevlar, Tough Synthetic Yarn
Metal mesh, Kevlar and tough synthetic yarn gloves protect against cuts and punctures are are often used by those who work with knives.
Non-Conductive
Thicker types of non-conductive gloves, often referred to as rubber gloves, are worn by electricians and engineers to protect against low-voltage electricity. Thinner non-conductive gloves, often referred to as surgical gloves, protect the hands from blood-borne substances, as well as some chemicals and corrosives.
Neoprene, Nitrile, Latex, Vinyl
Neoprene, nitrile, latex, and vinyl gloves resist petroleum products and chemicals such as oils, acids, caustics, and solvents.
Leather
Leather gloves resist sparks, chips, rough objects, and heat.
Cotton Fabric
Cotton fabric gloves protect against dirt, slivers, chafing, and abrasion.
Waterproof
Waterproof gloves resist wet environments, and are often insulated with foam to protect against cold as well.
When we don’t have a wrench, our hands fit the bill. Can’t get into a location with a standard tool? Our hands can get into the tight spot and fix the problem. When our hands become our universal ‘duct tape’, we increase the risk of injury by losing focus.