Avoiding hand injuries on the job and at home

Our hands are invaluable. We use them constantly and they allow us to do some incredible things.  Working on construction sites or in fabrication shops comes with an increase in hand injury hazards but you can also injure your hands at home.

Fortunately, you can protect your hands by being mindful of these four factors:

  1. Pinch Points

When on a job site, you are constantly exposed to pinch points from equipment, tools and anything hinged. These pinch points can cause injuries to the hand. The best prevention for a pinch point injury is to simply pay attention. Be aware of the pinch points you’re exposed to and take your time. Being mindful of pinch points when working on projects at home can also help prevent a painful injury.

  1. Proper Gloves

Construction sites are often covered in sharp and abrasive materials. The key is to wear the right protective gloves for the job you’re doing or the material you’re handling. Different jobs require different glove materials so it’s important to make sure you’re using the right level of resistance. For example, engineered yarns or metal mesh would be necessary for handling sheet metal but cotton gloves will work for low cut hazards like packing or basic construction. Gloves are also great for protecting your hands against cuts and splinters when doing yard work or carpentry projects around the house.

  1. Machine Guards

Guards on equipment and machines help protect our fingers and hands from being exposed to the moving parts that can cut, sever, or crush your hand. Protective guards should never be removed and you should always ensure machinery is working properly before operating.

  1. Everyday Hazards

Even when you’re not working on a job site or in a fabrication shop, you are exposed to hand injuries.  Keeping your hands protected from chemicals, broken glass, burns and pinch points in your own home is just as important as keeping your hands protected when at work.

Safety Memos  summarizes these four hand injury hazards in this video .