GET A HANDLE ON HAND SAFETY: 5 KEYS TO PREVENT WORKPLACE INJURIES
When you went online to read this article, chances are you didn’t have to stop and think about how you were going to navigate your keyboard.
What about when you buttoned your shirt, ate your breakfast or picked up your car keys this morning?
Probably not. A hand injury can make the multitude of tasks that we take for granted a serious, if not impossible, challenge. Maybe for the short term, or perhaps, permanently.
While hand injuries are common and costly, they are also PREVENTABLE. By developing a proper hand safety program, you can ensure the safety of your employees and prevent these life-altering injuries.
Below are five steps you can take today to prevent hand injuries in your workplace:
1) Evaluate Injury Trends
The first step is to review your company’s accident and injury records to detect trends and patterns. Some of the data to review includes first aid records, accident reports, near miss reports and OSHA 300 logs. Some of the questions you should ask include; what types of injuries happen most frequently (e.g. cuts from box cutters) and in what areas of the facility do injuries occur most (e.g. warehousing).
If there is a trend, it is likely that something needs to change. The challenge is identifying what needs to change as injuries can result from, improper tool or equipment handling, lack of proper glove use, or chemical exposures. You also need to determine if employees have been properly trained on the hazards of the tasks and how to avoid such accidents from happening. Conducting this analysis enables you to gain a fuller understanding of the types and causes of hand injuries, and what needs to change to prevent them from occurring again. 2) Perform a Hazard Assessment
The second step you should take is to perform a hazard assessment based on the results of the analysis. An EHS professional (which SHEBS can provide) should conduct an assessment of your facility to identify the potential hazards and sources of hand injuries.
Some of the hand hazards that could exist include:
Chemical
Heat/Cold
Handling sharp edged materials
Using knives or box cutters
Working with equipment with pinch, crush or cut hazards
Amputation
Electrical
3) Determine Proper PPE and Safe Work Practices
Once the hazard assessment is complete, the EHS professional should provide suggestions on the proper PPE that should be used for the task at hand. This includes matching the proper glove to the hazards that are present in specific job functions within your company. Additionally, other protective measures such as machine guarding and safe work practices should be put in place.
Some safe work practices include:
Use proper tools to perform tasks instead of hands, where possible
Inspect tools and repair or replace as needed
Evaluate how chemicals are handled, transferred and applied, seeking ways to reduce the risk of splashes and spills
Use the smallest quantity of chemical needed to get the job done
Substitute safer products for more hazardous ones
Opt for ergonomic tools and tools specifically designed for the task to be performed
Don’t wear rings or bracelets, as they may get caught on equipment and can cause serious injuries, such as avulsions
4) Implement a Training Program
The next step is to perform the proper training. An EHS professional should educate employees and make sure they understand the hazards their jobs present and how to protect themselves from those hazards.
Training should address though not be limited to:
Types of hand hazards in the workplace
Types of injuries that can result
Safe work practices to minimize exposure to hazards
Proper types and fit of gloves
5) Communicate and Build Awareness
The next step is to effectively communicate and build awareness around your new program. Some ways to build awareness include verbal reminders and written communication such as posters, fliers and banners. As awareness builds, be sure to continue to monitor the effectiveness of your program and use audits and checklists to keep track of progress.
Reviewing injury trends, performing a hazard assessment, determining proper PPE and safe work practices along with training and effective communication are all key components of a hand safety program.
Take these steps today to help protect your employees from preventable hand injuries. Your employees and your business will benefit.
SHEBS has a nationwide network of expert EHS professionals who can provide the services and training you need to properly protect your employees and prevent injuries.
Have a Safe Day!
