The document discusses potential hand injuries and hazards. It notes that the hand is often injured through strains, sprains, fractures, abrasions, cuts, punctures, infections or burns. It identifies several mechanical, thermal and chemical hazards that could injure hands, such as tools, machines, hot objects, sparks, steam, welding, molten metals, extreme cold, irritating or toxic chemicals. The document stresses that hands are valuable and used for many tasks daily, so one should look out for hazards and protect their hands.

1. The hand is often the part of the body most often
injured and these injuries can be difficult to heal.
Injuries can include; strains and sprains, fractures,
crushes, abrasions, cuts, puncture wounds, infections
and/or burns.
Remember, your hands are valuable. You use them to
pinch, grasp, twist, lift, hold and manipulate things
everyday. Look for hazards that could cause injury to
your hands and protect yourself.
Potential hazards can include, but are not limited to:
Mechanical Hazards
There are numerous mechanical hazards from tools,
equipment, machines, structures and vehicles:
 chains, gears, rollers, wheels and transmission bolts;
 spiked or jagged tools;
 edges that catch and tear;
 cutting, chopping and grinding mechanisms;
 cutting tools such as knives and presses;
 falling objects
 rolling objects
Hot and Cold Objects or Temperatures
Burns to the hands can be caused by exhaust pipes,
sparks, steam, hot pipes, hot liquids, welding and molten
metals.
Even extreme cold can cause burns. Your hands and
fingers turn numb at minus 15oC, which can increase the
risk of accidents.
Chemical Hazards
Chemical substances may
irritate the skin, causing
redness, itching, eczema,
inflammation, dryness and
serious burns.
Some chemical products
are even more dangerous:
in addition to being
irritants
they are toxic when
absorbed by the body
through the skin.
Protect Your Hands!
Safety Moment of the Week
January 8th – 14th, 2017