hand | Journey

Hand injuries are some of the most common injuries in the workplace. We use our hands for most tasks, so they are exposed to hazards more often than the rest of our bodies. Although generally cautious about burns or cuts while handling objects, workers often do not think of the dangers associated with reaching into a machine to fix a jam or remove material. Burns and cuts from objects being handled can cause major injuries, but machines are responsible for most of the amputations and loss of use occurring from occupational injuries.

Hand Safety Tips

Machines are required to be guarded at the point of operation to prevent accidental contact with moving parts. A machines point of operation is the area where the work is being performed. Here are some safety tips to help avoid injury.
•   Never remove or alter a machine guard
•   If a machine you are working with has moving parts that could cause injury, ask for it to be properly guarded.
•   Never reach into the machine or place any part of your body under or between moving parts.

Lockout/Tagout Procedures

If there is a problem with a machine, a procedure called lockout/tagout must be followed before a jam can be removed or other maintenance can be performed on the machine. The energy in the machine when it is jammed is waiting to be released. When the jam is removed or the machine is turned off, the moving parts often return to rest. Gravity, loss of pressure, deactivation of an electrical or mechanical lock, or any number of sources of energy within a machine could lead to a dangerous situation. Because of this, lockout/tagout requires maintenance to be performed by someone specially trained on the machine. This training includes how to release or block all hazardous energy stored in the machine and ensure it will remain that way until the guards are back in place and the machine is ready to be used again.

Injuries to our hands are common because of how much we use them. Think about how much you use your hands before you put them at risk by reaching into a machine.

Our hands are one of the most versatile parts of our body. They can be tender and accurate enough to paint a picture, thread a needle, or play the harp. They can also be strong and powerful enough to swing an axe, move heavy objects, or clean floors. Our hands are also two of the most important tools we have. We use them in almost every aspect of our daily lives, and it’s important to keep them safe.

Keep in mind that your hands are also fearless. They will go to any place you send them and will act only as wisely as you want them. It’s a good thing to keep in mind where you put your hands and take proper care of the only two hands you’ll ever have. Here are some helpful hints to keep your hands safe and working properly.

A Little Foresight Can go a Long Way

Cuts and scrapes may not be a serious issue, but it can affect your productivity if you have to stop working to bandage a small scrape or cut. One of the best ways to do this is to take a proactive approach. Look at the area your hands will be working in and make sure there is nothing that can harm your hands. A good example would be if you were moving an object. Check to see if the doorways and aisles are wide enough to move through safely before lifting. You should also check if there is proper hand clearance when setting down the object.

In a Pinch

We’ve all been in a rush. We know the feeling of approaching deadlines and the stress of learning new things quickly. When we feel that kind of pressure, it can become tempting to cut corners.

Sometimes new employees are shoved into working with equipment without getting proper training and don’t realize some of the dangers when using the equipment. Veteran workers also get comfortable and skip procedures, which can lead to pinching your fingers or hand in machinery.

Small pinches can happen at home and they’re more of a nuisance than anything, but getting pinched while operating machinery can lead to severed fingers or broken bones. Make sure to have all safety guards in place, a clean area, and better attention to your hand positioning.

Rings of Doom

There are many jokes about how things were great for somebody until they put on a wedding ring, and that’s when the troubles began. Those kinds of jokes may not be far from the truth when it comes to our jobs.

Wearing a wedding ring or other types of hand jewelry can put your fingers in danger by making it easy for your hands to catch on machinery and other objects, which could result in injuries. If it isn’t an option to remove the jewelry, be sure to wear proper protective equipment like gloves to help prevent those items from interfering with your job.

Sometimes it’s the little things that we overlook that have major consequences. Your hands are no different. Such intricate and important tools shouldn’t be taken for granted. There are many little things you can do to keep your hands safe that don’t interfere with your day. Give yourself a hand and make sure they’re protected.

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