This document discusses hand safety and common hand injuries. Over 16 million people suffer hand injuries each year, with crushing or compression injuries being most common. Proper use of protective equipment and following safety guidelines can help prevent many injuries. Some key risks include unguarded machinery, improper tool use, lack of gloves or other protection, and not disconnecting power or following lockout procedures before repairs. Always select the right tool for each job and take precautions to protect your hands.

1. HAND SAFETYHAND SAFETY

2. Your hands are your mostYour hands are your most
important tool.important tool.
Over 16 million people sufferOver 16 million people suffer
hand injuries per year.hand injuries per year.
Over a quarter million of those areOver a quarter million of those are
serious & often disabling injuriesserious & often disabling injuries
each year.each year.
25% of all industrial injuries25% of all industrial injuries
involve the hand.involve the hand.

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

4. FactFact
Some 30,000 persons are injuredSome 30,000 persons are injured
annually using hammers.annually using hammers.
25,000 using standard blade25,000 using standard blade
screwdrivers & crescentscrewdrivers & crescent
wrenches.wrenches.

5. Screw Driver stab wound to palmScrew Driver stab wound to palm

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

8. CausesCauses
Chemicals, corrosives, & otherChemicals, corrosives, & other
irritating substances can cause burnsirritating substances can cause burns
& skin inflammation unless& skin inflammation unless
appropriate hand protection is used.appropriate hand protection is used.
Improper use or maintenance of theImproper use or maintenance of the
hand tool.hand tool.
Lack of protective gloves or not usingLack of protective gloves or not using
the appropriate accessories for thethe appropriate accessories for the
tool.tool.

9. Typical InjuriesTypical Injuries
Puncture woundsPuncture wounds
Severed fingersSevered fingers
Broken fingersBroken fingers
ContusionsContusions
Temperature extremesTemperature extremes
Electrical hazardsElectrical hazards

10. NO GUARDS ON MACHINENO GUARDS ON MACHINE

11. Guideline’s for Hand SafetyGuideline’s for Hand Safety
Be alert to potential hand hazardsBe alert to potential hand hazards beforebefore
an accident can happen.an accident can happen.
Be alert to possible unguarded pinchBe alert to possible unguarded pinch
points.points.
Always use guards, shields & otherAlways use guards, shields & other
protective devices when appropriate.protective devices when appropriate.
Do not remove guards.Do not remove guards.

12. Unguarded GrinderUnguarded Grinder

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

14. Guidelines ContinuedGuidelines Continued
NeverNever wear gloves, jewelry, or loosewear gloves, jewelry, or loose
clothing when working with movingclothing when working with moving
machine parts.machine parts.
Use theUse the appropriate personalappropriate personal
protective equipment.protective equipment.
When wearing gloves, be sure they fitWhen wearing gloves, be sure they fit
properly & are rated for the specificproperly & are rated for the specific
task you are performing.task you are performing.

15. Ring Amputation (Ring Finger)Ring Amputation (Ring Finger)

16. NOT ALL GLOVES ARE THENOT ALL GLOVES ARE THE
SAME!!!!!!!SAME!!!!!!!
Consult your products MSDSConsult your products MSDS
or Supervisor for proper gloveor Supervisor for proper glove
type.type.

17. 3rd Degree burns to welder3rd Degree burns to welder
involved in a flash fire. Welder wasinvolved in a flash fire. Welder was
not using proper PPE; he was usingnot using proper PPE; he was using
a lite cotton glove which continueda lite cotton glove which continued
to burn after the flash fire was outto burn after the flash fire was out

18. Could these have prevented theCould these have prevented the
accident????accident????

19. SELECT PROPER TOOLSSELECT PROPER TOOLS
Use the right tool for the jobUse the right tool for the job
Select tools that will keepSelect tools that will keep
your wrists straight to avoidyour wrists straight to avoid
repetitive motion/overuserepetitive motion/overuse
problems.problems.

20. WRONG TOOL FOR THE JOBWRONG TOOL FOR THE JOB
Using a knife to cut plastic pipe!!!!!!!!!!Using a knife to cut plastic pipe!!!!!!!!!!

21. ISIS IT WORTH TAKING A CHANCEIT WORTH TAKING A CHANCE
TAKE CARETAKE CARE
OF YOUROF YOUR
HANDS.HANDS.