Hand and finger safety is important. We rely on our hands to perform countless tasks ranging from the finest of work to holding and supporting heavy weights or loads. Our hands consist primarily of:
- The bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and tissue which facilitate movement.
- Nerves which enable us to feel things.
- Skin acting as a protective barrier against germs and foreign materials.
There are many situations that have the potential to cause harm to our hands and fingers. It is important that we identify hazards and stop accidents from occurring.
Injuries that may occur from coming into contact with hazards may include:
Burns – from coming into contact with hot substances or chemicals such as acids and alkalis.
Amputations – Jewelry, i.e. dress/wedding rings have the potential to cause injury to fingers if caught on machinery etc.
Cuts, abrasions, and splinters – can be sustained when our hands come in contact with sharp objects.
Nerve damage – can be sustained as result of sharp impact or other trauma sustained by the hand such as severe cuts, burns or crushing.
Dermatitis – skin damage may result if prolonged and repeated exposure to chemicals or solvents occurs.
Before starting any new task it is important to assess risks and plan to get the job done safely. Preventing accidents and injury should be the number one priority. Risk assessment should be performed whenever hazards are identified.
To protect our hands we need to perform work in a safe manner. This can be done by paying attention to the following areas:
Tools Equipment and Work Materials
Guards – make sure all guards are fitted and adjusted correctly before starting work. Never remove machine guards.
Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) – should be checked to see if hand protection e.g. gloves need to be worn.
Rough materials – should where possible, be de-burred, sharp and jagged edges removed.
Fast moving equipment – keep hands well clear and avoid the use of gloves to reduce the risk of entanglement.
Mark – ‘Hot’ objects clearly to help prevent burns.
Clean up – broken glass, nails, hazardous materials before accidents occur.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be worn to protect against hazards that can’t be otherwise controlled.
Gloves – there are many different types of gloves available to protect against a wide range of hazards. It is important that the correct glove is used at all times and that damage gloves are replaced.
Barrier cream – can be used to protect the skin against certain chemicals, oils, and solvents. The suitability of cream should be checked before use.
Suspended loads, hand and fingers (or any other body parts) should not be placed under suspended loads. This will help prevent crush type injuries being sustained in the event of something going wrong.
Striking objects – injuries to our hands are likely to occur if they are used to strike or hit solid objects. This is especially true when the palm of the hand is used. Striking hard objects with the palm of the hand may result in permanent nerve damage.
Situations that are dangerous or have the potential to cause harm should be reported to your supervisor for action.
To protect our hands it is also important to report faults or damaged equipment, especially when machine guarding is concerned.
SOURCE: KEGOZ
nice tips