Many people believe hand injuries comes from a lack of personal protective gear, however, statistics show that the most common hand injuries come from human error. This does not mean that we as humans are not competent enough to protect ourselves. However, it is something that we should pay more attention to.
With distractions happening at every corner, it's easy for many workers to become susceptible to human errors. Common hand injuries that handle at the workplace include bruises, pinches, lacerations, abrasions, strains, amputations, dislocations, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and Raynaud’s Disease. The non-dominant hand is the most vulnerable to injury. Yikes!
ACCORDING TO VIVID LEARNING SYSTEMS HERE ARE HAZARDS THAT YOU SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO:
HAZARDS
Pinch Points
Pinch points are places found between two objects, such as a machine with two continuously moving parts, where hands can get caught.
Rotating Parts
Many machines use rotating motions. Machinery of this type include clutches, spindles and fans. Hand injuries incurred from such machinery are often the result of loose-fitting gloves, which can accidentally feed into the machinery, taking a worker’s hand with it.
Automation
Any machine that is programmed to start on its own is especially dangerous. Even if it’s not currently running, machinery can start up unexpectedly and easily catch hands if a worker is too close and not paying attention.
Hot and Cold Spots
Hot areas in machinery, found in equipment like injection molders and welding instruments, can cause serious burns to the hands. The same goes for hot flames on burners and cutting and brazing equipment. Exposure to extreme cold temperatures and surfaces, such as transfer pipes in refrigeration systems, is equally dangerous and can also cause severe burns.
Entanglement
Jewelry and loose clothing or personal protective equipment can easily get caught in moving machinery and pull a finger or entire hand into the equipment.
Wearing the proper safety glove is vital when it comes to protection. Protective gloves help from germs and hazardous chemicals off the skin, stop splinters and slivers, resist punctures and cuts from rough or sharp materials and objects, and protect against heat and cold.elo
It's vital for workers to wear gloves that fit correctly as it is known that loose-fitting gloves can get caught in machinery. Before using, gloves should always be checked for damage and wear. Workers should use the right type of glove for their job based on their employer’s hazard assessments.
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