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Safety & Compliance
> Safety Meeting Topics
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Hand
Protection
Your hands are your most valuable tools. They are faithful
servants that enable you to perform difficult functions
quickly and expertly. However, they are vulnerable to
myriad injury and illness hazards and they must be protected.
Depending on the type of work you do, your hands may
be subject to cuts, bruises, crushing injuries, burns,
skin irritation and repetitive motion trauma.
Here are 10 rules to protect these valuable tools:
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Keep hands away from pinch points and crushing hazards.
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Inspect materials you are handling for slivers,
sharp edges, burrs or slippery surfaces. (Wear gloves
when appropriate)
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Use the correct hand tool for the job and use it
appropriately.
- Wear
suitable gloves or apply barrier cream whenever
recommended.
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Don't wear rings or bracelets when working with
machinery or tools.
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Make sure safety guards are in place before operating
any machinery.
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Never reach into machinery to repair or lubricate,
without using lockout procedures.
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Keep your hands clean. Don't ignore signs of rash
or other skin disorders.
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Protect your hands from extreme heat or cold with
proper gloves and other personal protective equipment.
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CONCENTRATE ON WHAT YOU ARE DOING. DON'T LET YOUR
ATTENTION WANDER!
Some
tips about gloves:
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Different gloves are designed for different hazards.
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Cloth or canvas gloves will protect your hands from
dirt, wood, slivers and some temperature ranges.
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Leather gloves should be worn when working around
moderate heat, sparks and chips, and rough or sharp
objects.
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Metal mesh or cut resistant gloves should be worn
when working with sharp cutting materials (such
as meatcutters).
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Electrician's rubber gloves, for use when working
on or near electrical equipment.
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Impervious gloves (rubber, neoprene, PVC) may be
used to protect the hands from harmful substances.
Barrier creams may be used, but are not as effective
as gloves.
First
aid for hands:
- Bleeding
- apply gentle pressure to the wound and keep elevated.
Seek medical attention.
- Sprain
or Strain - Immobilize the area, apply cool compresses,
and elevate. Medical attention may be required.
- Fracture
- Keep the fractured hand or finger stable, and
seek medical attention.
- Burns
- First Degree (red skin, pain, mild swelling):
Apply cool, wet compresses or immerse in cool, fresh
water, until pain subsides. Leave uncovered.
- Second
Degree (deep reddening of skin, pain, blisters):
Immerse in cool, fresh water or apply cool, wet
compresses. Continue for 15 minutes, dry, apply
sterile gauze, seek medical treatment.
- Third
degree (damage has occurred to all layers of skin;
little or no pain; skin is leathery): Cover lightly
with sterile gauze or clean cloth; elevate; keep
person warm; seek immediate medical attention.
- Chemical:
Flush with lukewarm water for 15-20 minutes. Be
sure to wash away chemical completely. Seek immediate
medical attention.
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Safety & Compliance