December ’21 Purposeful Observations
Your hands are two of the most VALUABLE tools in your toolkit. They can also be extremely vulnerable to injury. You never know how much you rely on your hands and fingers until they are injured. Beyond the pain, healthy hands and fingers are vital to everyday tasks.
Common injuries to hands include cuts, abrasions, puncture wounds, burns, crushing injuries, and torn tendons. Protect your hands and fingers by working smart, wearing gloves, using proper tools, and avoiding pinch points.
5 Keys to Protecting Hands and Fingers
Wear the proper gloves for the job
Gloves provide protection from chemicals, cuts and abrasions. In harsh weather, gloves also protect hands from cold weather and frostbite. Gloves must always be worn whenever handling sharp objects and changing propane tanks.
Be aware of pinch points
Pinch points exist anywhere fingers may be caught, trapped or crushed like forklift masts, dock plates, freight, pallet jacks, trailer doors and lift gates.
Use the proper tools
Use hooks to lift dock plates. Do not attempt to break seals with bare hands. Know what tools to use and how to use them correctly.
Be on the lookout for cut/puncture hazards
Sharp metal freight, pallet with nails or splinters, knives or other tools can all lead to cuts.
Make certain you can see & don’t rush
You must be able to see hazards to avoid them. The more you rush, the higher risk of harm you introduce.
