Hand safety is a very important aspect of safety.
To ascertain the important of the hand, can you think about something you can do without your hand?
You will agree with me that almost everything you do requires your hand either directly or indirectly, this is why you have to keep your hand safe.
Due to the important of the hand, programs has been initiated to enhance hand safety; these includes:
Hand safety presentations, toolbox talk on hand safety, hand safety tips, training on hand safety. All these have a singular aim of protecting the hand.
Hand injury can affect your job and quality of life seriously.
How did you feel the last time you had a cut in your hand, your hand got crushed, or your got hit by an external object. If you remember vividly, you will agree with me that you felt so uncomfortable.
There are lots of hazards on our work sites that could result to hand injury. These hazards include:
- Exposure to sharp, spiked or jagged edges on equipment, tools or materials.
- Falling objects, and using rings, gloves or loose clothing which may get caught by equipment.
- Using the wrong hand tool for the job.
- Direct contact with a hot surface or a chemical.
All the above mentioned hazards could result to different forms of cut (Incision or laceration), crushing of the hand, puncture, fracture, amputation, strain, sprain, burns, etc.
Hand injury could be mild, moderate or severe. Since we cannot predict the possible consequence of hand hazards, ensuring hand safety becomes our best option.
Hand Safety Tips
- Get adequate hand safety training
- Perform hazard analysis for hand safety
- Use the right hand tool for a job
- Put faulty equipment out from use
- Avoid using loose clothing, rings and bangles while working with rotating wheels.
- Avoid getting direct contact with hazardous chemicals
- Do not keep long nails
- Do not extend your hand into an invisible area since you may get hurt in the process.
- Use hand protection always
- Inspect equipment before use
- Never work with an unguarded equipment
- Beware of pinch points
- Do not test for energized wires with your hand
- Be mindful of equipment that starts automatically
- Discard damage gloves; it may give you a false sense of safety
- Beware of hot surfaces
- Do not put your hands or fingers near the moving parts of a power tool or equipment.
- Do not just use the hand gloves, use the right hand gloves for the right job.
- Work smart rather than working fast.
- Do not clean or repair equipment until it is completely turn off.
Your hand is your earning power, keep it safe.
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