Over 16 million people suffer hand injuries each year, with over a quarter million being serious or disabling. The most common type of injury is crushing or compression, and men are 9 times more likely to be injured than women. Many injuries involve a lack of protective equipment or unsafe practices around machinery. Following guidelines like using guards and proper tools, wearing protective equipment, and disconnecting power before repairs can help reduce risks to hands on the job.

1. HAND SAFETY

2. Your hands are your most
important tool.
• Over 16 million people suffer
hand injuries per year.
• Over a quarter million of those are
serious & often disabling injuries
each year.
• 25% of all industrial injuries
involve the hand.

3. Facts
• The most common type of hand injury
is a crushing or compression injury.
• Men are 9 times more likely to receive
a hand injury than women.
• Most hand injuries involve a lack of
adequate personal protective
equipment.

4. Fact
• Each year, more than
15,000 workers end up in
the emergency room as a
result of hand-tool-related
injuries.

5. Fact
• Some 30,000 persons are injured
annually using hammers.
• 25,000 using standard blade
screwdrivers & spanners.

6. Common Causes
• Use of unprotected or faulty machinery or
equipment.
• Failure to use guards, kill-switches, or to
follow appropriate lock-out procedures are
among the leading hand hazards.
• Wearing jewelry, gloves, or loose-fitting
clothing around moving parts can also
lead to injury.

7. Causes
• Chemicals, corrosives, & other
irritating substances can cause burns
& skin inflammation unless
appropriate hand protection is used.
• Improper use or maintenance of the
hand tool.
• Lack of protective gloves or not using
the appropriate accessories for the
tool.

8. Typical Injuries
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•
•
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Puncture wounds
Severed fingers
Broken fingers
Contusions
Temperature extremes
Electrical hazards

9. Guideline’s for Hand Safety
• Be alert to potential hand hazards before
an accident can happen.
• Be alert to possible unguarded pinch
points.
• Always use guards, shields & other
protective devices when appropriate.
•
Do not remove guards.

10. Guidelines Continued
• Use brushes to wipe away debris.
• Inspect equipment & machinery
before & after tasks to make sure that
it is in good operating condition.
• Disconnect power & follow
established lock-out procedures
before repairing or cleaning
machinery.

11. Guidelines Continued
• Never wear gloves, jewelry, or loose
clothing when working with moving
machine parts.
• Use the appropriate
personal
protective equipment.
• When wearing gloves, be sure they fit
properly & are rated for the specific
task you are performing.

12. NOT ALL GLOVES ARE THE
SAME!!!!!!!
• Consult your Supervisor for
proper glove type.

13. SELECT PROPER TOOLS
• Use the right tool for the job
• Select tools that will keep
your wrists straight to avoid
repetitive motion/overuse
problems.

14. Take care of your hands.