The National Safety Council reported that in a recent year, there were 530,000 disabling hand and finger injuries.  Hand injuries usually fall into two categories:

·       Cuts, punctures, broken bones or amputation - these are traumatic injuries.

·       Skin diseases or burns - these are contact injuries.

Gloves are one of the best ways to protect your hands from injuries.  Do not wear gloves while working with moving machinery.  Be sure gloves fit snugly and comfortably.  Wear the right type of glove to protect against specific hazards.  Wearing the wrong glove will not protect you. 

ü Wear insulated gloves to protect against heat and cold.

ü Wear special insulated gloves when working around electricity.

ü Wear metal mesh or other cut-resistant gloves when handling sharp objects.

ü Wear leather gloves when working around rough surfaces.

ü Wear fabric gloves when handling slippery objects.

ü Wear neoprene or nitrile rubber gloves are needed to work with corrosives.

Basic safety precautions to protect your hands:

ü Follow manufacturer’s and company’s policy when using tools and equipment.

ü Feed materials into moving machinery with a push stick, not your hands.

ü Keep hands away from moving machine parts.

ü Always cut away from your body.

ü Use brushes, not hands, to sweep up metal or wood chips.

ü Store tools so no sharp edges are exposed.

ü Check materials for sharp edges, burrs or splinters, before handling them.

ü Know how hot or cold an object is before handling it.

ü Lift an object keeping hands away from pinch points.

ü Put materials down carefully so you don’t smash your fingers.

ü Hand tools to coworkers, handle first, do not throw tools.

ü Keep fingers on the sides, not top or bottom, when you’re stacking materials.

Tuck your thumbs into the palms of your hands and try to tie your shoes.  Now answer this question.  How important do you think your hands are?

In 2006, there were 205,000 injuries and illnesses to the wrists, hands and/or fingers that involved days away from work according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  The incidence rate for 10,000 full time workers is: 29.6 for private industry 65.6 for manufacturing and 71.4 for construction.

Protect your hands, from these hazards:

–       Skin absorption of harmful substances

–       Severe cuts or lacerations

–       Severe abrasions

–       Punctures

–       Chemical burns

–       Thermal burns

–       Harmful temperature extremes

Some safety tips:

–       Unplug or lockout tools before changing blades.

–       Keep tools sharp.

–       Never remove guards.

–       When using screwdrivers, place the object on a flat surface or in a vise.  Never hold it in your hand.

–       When using an utility knife or boxcutter, cut away from your body.

–       Don’t wear gloves if they can get caught on rotating parts.

–       Use tongs or high-temperature gloves to handle hot or cold parts and equipment.

–       Remove jewelry before using power tools or working on machines.

–       Wear the right glove for the hazard you’re exposed to.  One type of glove does not work for every hazard.

One of my favorite things is to hold hands with the person I love, make sure to stay safe so your loved ones can hold hands with you.