Hands are frequently injured, accounting for 30-35% of all injuries. Using the wrong tools, improper hand positioning, and lack of personal protective equipment can lead to hand injuries. It is important to carefully select the right tools for each task, position hands defensively away from hazards, wear proper gloves, and intervene if unsafe acts are observed.

1. www.discountppe.com Hazard Recognition
Hand Tools & Hands

2. Hwawndw .Tdoisoclosu &n tHppaen.dcsom Hazard Recognition
Have you stopped to consider the importance of your
hands?
How miserable we would be without them!

3. Hwawndw .Tdoisoclosu &n tHppaen.dcsom Hazard Recognition
Statistics show that hands are the part of the
body most exposed to injuries
 Statistics shows that 30-35% of
injuries are hand related
 Most of our activities are carried
out using our hands
 Most people are right handed but
injuries occur evenly to both
hands
 Hands can be an “improper tool”
without correct PPE and risk
analysis

4. Hwawndw .Tdoisoclosu &n tHppaen.dcsom Hazard Recognition
Using The Wrong Hand Tool
• A test hole was drilled into a reinforced concrete slab.
• The hand drill bit got stuck within the first 30 cm of concrete.
• After unsuccessful trials to remove the drill stem with a ring
type spanner, a pipe was added to the handle of the spanner
in order to increase the torque.
• Suddenly the handle of the spanner broke, cutting the glove
and the worker’s left hand between the first two fingers (five
stitches needed: RWI).
• Cause
• Inappropriate tool used to retrieve the drill stem
• Reinforced concrete is a major obstacle for the penetration of
the hand drill bit, especially due to the metal rods of the
reinforcements.

5. Hwawndw .Tdoisoclosu &n tHppaen.dcsom Hazard Recognition
Hand Positioning
• A couple of guys are pushing a
forklift having problems moving on
gravel
• The driver opens the door to better see
the surface in front of the forklift
• The forklift suddenly jumps forward,
and the left hand of one of the guys
slides between the door and the cab
• The sudden movement also causes the
cab door to closes trapping the
worker’s finger
• Result is a broken finger

6. Hwawndw .Tdoisoclosu &n tHppaen.dcsom Hazard Recognition
Improper positioning of hands using tools
• While conducting maintenance work
on an out of service exchanger using a
torque gun, two fitters were removing
stud bolts from it's end cover.
• When nearing completion of the task,
one of the fitter’s fingers was pinched
against the exchanger shell.
• Due to the force of the torque gun
(approximately 4 bar), the tip of the
finger was amputated.

7. Hwawndw .Tdoisoclosu &n tHppaen.dcsom Hazard Recognition
Hand Positioning
PINCH POINT
Main Lessons Learned
• Recognize potential pinch-points !
• Maintain hands and fingers in defensive position !

8. www.discountppe.com Hazard Recognition
Reconstruction
• Two workers were adjusting the spring in
the balance system of an overhead door.
Hand Tools & Hands
Beware Of Compressed Energy!
• One worker, standing on a ladder, planned
to adjust the spring force by moving the
spring retainer in the axial direction.
• There were two bolts securing the spring
retainer. The worker assumed that one of
the bolts was secured in the groove of the
shaft so that it was safe to loosen the
bolts.
• When unscrewing the second bolt the
spring retainer started spinning.
• One of the retaining bolts struck the right
middle finger of the worker thereby cutting
the middle finger joint.

9. Hwawndw .Tdoisoclosu &n tHppaen.dcsom Hazard Recognition
Beware Of Compressed Energy!
• Cause
• Uncontrolled release of the spring’s
tension.
• Working on a spring actuated balance
system without fully understanding the
operating principle.
Main Lessons Learned
• Be cautious for systems with internal energy; improve awareness
through refresher training
• Working on spring balance systems can only be done by workers
trained for the task
• Perform a Job Safety Analysis/Task Risk Analysis or develop
dedicated procedures before starting specialized jobs like this.

10. www.discountppe.com Hazard Recognition
Hand Tools & Hands
Using Hand Tool Wrongly
• Operator was manually lining-up flows for steaming the
feed/fractionation section of a manufacturing unit.
• When he started Reconstruction
opening the valve with a valve wrench, he pinched his
third finger of left hand between the wrench and a nearby work platform.
• He required medical attention due to the intense pain in the finger.
• Further exams confirmed that he had suffered a fracture at the tip of his
third finger.

11. www.discountppe.com Hazard Recognition
Hand Tools & Hands
Using Hand Tools/Hands Wrongly
Main Lessons Learned
• Improve valve ergonomics – rearrange valve
positions/height of wheels or types if needed
Reconstruction
• Assess position of your hands – look for potential pinch-points
• Don’t misuse your hands as inappropriate tools, don’t put
them in the line of fire, assure adequate hand space and
use hand protection

12. www.discountppe.com Hazard Recognition
Hand Tools & Hands
Using Hand Tools Wrongly & No Protection
Reconstruction
• Electrical technician (contractor) cut
his left hand (upper side) while he was
cutting in the insulation of an electrical
cable.
• The cable was 24 years old and
therefore the insulation was very rigid.
• During cutting the insulation the knife
slipped and cut the top side of the
worker's hand.
• Direct Cause:
• Wrong working method
• Cutting towards the body
• Using the wrong tools

13. www.discountppe.com Hazard Recognition
Hand Tools & Hands
Using Hand Tools Wrongly & No Protection
• Root Cause: Risk analysis LTA.
• Preventive measures and defensive working
method where not recognized.
• Third Party Company had the right tools but did
not enforce the use.
– A safe cutting tool
– Protective hand ware
– Knowledge Reconstruction
of the risk

14. www.discountppe.com Hazard Recognition
Hand Tools & Hands
Actions to Avoid Hand Injuries
 Exhibit the right behavior:
• Use your hands only for activities for which
your hands are suitable tools!
Reconstruction
You rely on your hands;
They rely on your attention to
working safely.
• Always think about the unforeseen, are you able to let
go or retrieve your hands if needed?
• Protect your hands as much as possible, a plant in the UK has a
policy that everybody wears gloves when they are out in the plant.
It’s obvious that for some activities it’s more difficult (e.g. Small
instrumentation, electrical wires)
• Don’t use your hands as levers or put your hands were they can be
squeezed/injured like at one of our plants where a person was trying
to maneuver a tankroof on top of the tank and put his hand in
between the roof and the tank. This is POP (Poor Operational
Practice)!

15. www.discountppe.com Hazard Recognition
Hand Tools & Hands
Actions to Avoid Hand Injuries
 Choose the right PPE:
You rely on your hands;
They rely on your attention to
working safely.
• There are many different types of gloves – protect yourself
with gloves suitable for the particular job being performed
• When you start any new activity (different tool, temperature,
product) re-assess glove suitability
• Any doubts, ask the Safety Advisor or Industrial Hygienist

16. www.discountppe.com Hazard Recognition
Hand Tools & Hands
Actions to Avoid Hand Injuries
You rely on your hands;
They rely on your attention to
working safely.
 Check adequacy of your hand tools before starting work:
• Were they designed to perform this task?
• Are they strong enough?
• Are they reliable, in good condition, is the tag in date?
• If motor driven, are there any unusual noises, vibrations?

17. www.discountppe.com Hazard Recognition
Actions to Avoid Hand Injuries
Hand Tools & Hands
 Adopting defensive work behavior by:
You rely on your hands;
They rely on your attention to
working safely.
• Using Last Minute Risk Assessment before starting
• Assuring that you can always see your hands while working
– Are you sure that nearby equipment (especially moving equipment
and/or tools) can’t become a “hand trap”?
– Have you positioned yourself and your hands out of the “line of fire”?
– Are you ensuring that you don’t apply excessive force?

18. www.discountppe.com Hazard Recognition
Hand Tools & Hands
Actions to Avoid Hand Injuries
 Intervene if you see anything wrong:
You rely on your hands;
They rely on your attention to
working safely.
• Remember your training: what are the risks you face and how do
you prevent them from hurting your colleagues. Dare To Care!!!

19. www.discountppe.com Hazard Recognition
Hand Tools & Hands
Control Your Hand Tools
 Sharp Tools:
You rely on your hands;
They rely on your attention to
working safely.
• Use intrinsically safe tools in which the knife
blade is hidden in an enclosure such that your
hands cannot be exposed to it
• Carry and store tools with sharp points or
edges down and away from the body
whenever possible. Use protective covers
• Do not hold work object in hand when using
sharp tool
• When using a knife, or other sharp tool, push
away from your hands and body

20. www.discountppe.com Hazard Recognition
Hand Tools & Hands
Control Your Hand Tools
 Tool Handling:
• Do not throw tools
• Keep them out of aisles and walkways
• Secure your tools so they can’t fall
You rely on your hands;
They rely on your attention to
working safely.
Focus on hands is what
we expect but don’t forget
to protect the other parts
of your body as well.

21. www.discountppe.com Hazard Recognition
Hand Tools & Hands
Control Your Hand Tools
 Use the right tool in the right way:
• Never hammer with any tool except a
hammer (and no rubber handles which can
become loose!)
• In use, always hold a spanner/wrench such
that your hands will not strike against objects
if the wrench slips or the bolt loosens
• When pulling on spanner/wrench, anticipate
body movement backwards - consider using
flogging spanner and mallet
• When tightening with a screwdriver, keep
your free hand away from the screw
You rely on your hands;
They rely on your attention to
working safely.

22. www.discountppe.com Hazard Recognition
Hand Tools & Hands
NO HAND INJURIES!
Select the right
tool
Check hand
tools reliability
Use the right tool
the right way
Adopt defensive
behavior
Be cautious near
sharp tools
Perform a last
minute risk
assessment
SUMMARIZING...
Don’t misuse
your hands as
inappropriate
tools
Put your hand in
safe places