This document provides a construction safety talk about hand safety. It discusses that hands are easily injured and account for 18% of disabling injuries, including being caught in machines, crushed, cut, burned, sprained, bruised, strained, twisted, fractured, and amputated. It reminds workers that their hands cannot be replaced and to always think about hand safety. The talk suggests showing workers different gloves and discussing their properties and ensuring everyone has the right protection for their job. It prompts questions about hand protection, material safety data sheets, and any past hand injuries.

1. Construction Safety Talks
The Machine Some Things To Know Before You Give Your Talk.
You Cannot Ask your crew to suppose they could buy two pocket size
Buy machines that could dress, wash, and feed them. Machines that
(Your Hands) could write messages, operate tools and machinery, and put
things together and take them apart to provide a source of income.
No. 50
These machines exist but they are not for sale because of course,
they are your hands.
Remind your crew that their hands are delicate and easily injured.
How This Talk
Applies To My
They are exposed to more hazards than any other part of the
Crew: body.
Finger and hand-related injuries account for 18% of all disabling
injuries. Hands can be:
• caught in machines
• crushed by objects
• cut by saws, wires, and other objects
• burned, punched, and scraped
• sprained
• bruised
• strained
• twisted
• fractured
• amputated.
Chemicals or hazardous materials present their own special or
unique hazards. Before using any chemicals or hazardous
materials, the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on that material
should be reviewed to determine what personal protective
equipment is required, including the necessary hand protection.
Ask your crew to think about what life would be like without their
hands. Tell them to think about how many hundreds of times they
use them each day.
© 2003 Liberty Mutual Group – All Rights Reserved 1

2. Try This For Show And Tell!
Show your crew several different pairs of gloves that are available to protect their
hands. Describe the properties that differentiate one from another.
Questions You Can Use To Get Them Talking:
• Does everyone have adequate hand protection for their job?
• Does everyone know where the Material Safety Data Sheets are located?
• Has anyone ever had a hand accident - or know of someone who has?
Attended By:
The illustrations, instructions and principles contained in the material are general in scope and, to the best of our knowledge, current at
the time of publication. No attempt has been made to interpret any referenced codes, standards or regulations. Please refer to the
appropriate code, standard or regulation making authority for interpretation or clarification.
© 2003 Liberty Mutual Group – All Rights Reserved 2