Finger rings pose risks during activities involving climbing, materials handling, machinery operation, electrical work, and more. Statistics show that finger injuries from rings are a common cause of lost-time injuries. To prevent such injuries, personnel are required to remove rings when engaged in activities like operating equipment, warehouse work, attaching equipment to vehicles, and any jobs with exposure to moving parts or energized electrical circuits. Tape or gloves do not eliminate the ring removal requirement.

1. For those of us that might only spend a
few minutes once in a while unloading a
truck or using a step stool to get
something off a shelf it could be easily
forgotten.

2. Mishap statistics show that finger
injuries associated with rings is one of
the most frequent category of lost-time
permanent partial injuries.
AFI 91-203 Chapter 9, Jewelry
Safety - Finger rings will not
be worn by personnel engaged
in the following activities:
Climbing, ascending, or
descending activities (The
stake bed truck - personnel
jumping or descending from
the bed of this type vehicle)

3. • Most materials handling operations -
(warehousing, parts handling, operating
equipment, packing and crating, and attaching
and detaching equipment to tow vehicles, etc.)
• Any type of work where individuals are exposed
to moving machinery, rotating or revolving
parts, or activities that could result in their hands
being caught by a moving part causing any
injury (for example, machine or equipment
operators or inspectors).

4. • Any type of work or inspection
where an individual is exposed
to an energized electrical
circuit.
• Placing tape over rings or wearing
gloves on the hand with a ring does
not provide protection or eliminate
the requirement to remove finger
rings.

5. Removing a ring from a finger
• Relax & elevate your hand or apply ice.
• Stick the end of a slick piece of string, such as
dental floss, under the ring.
• Grasp the end of the string that is stretched under
the ring and start unwrapping it while pushing the
ring off.
Warning! - Next slides have graphic pictures