Preventing Hand Injuries: Trends, Causes, Prevention Slide 1

How Important are Hands? Practical Exercise 1.Tuck your thumbs into your palms. 2.Cover your thumbs with your fingers. 3.Tie your shoes. Not so Easy Slide 2

Hand Hazards 3 Slide 3

Trends In % of days away from work involved wrists/hands/fingers injuries or illnesses. Hand injuries account for 10% of all ER visits. 70% of workers, who suffered hand injuries, were not wearing gloves. Slide 4

Causes Lacerations: 11 Contusions/Abrasions: 7 Puncture: 6 Burns: 3 Fracture: 2 Shock: 2 Bite: 1 Edema: 1 Slide 5 Jefferson Lab Hand/Finger Injuries FY11/12

Inadequate Task Hazard Analysis  No consideration for hand danger zones (situational awareness)  Inappropriate tool selection Vague Instructions  “...pay attention….”  “…be careful….” Poor Work Practice  Operator unfamiliar with the tool  Risky behavior Insufficient Controls  No tool guard (removed or never installed)  Poor tool maintenance  No training on the tool  No or improper PPE Slide 6 Causes

Pre-Task Planning  Don appropriate PPE  Install appropriate Equipment Safeguards  Use the Correct Tool  Employ Safe Behavior Slide 7 Prevention

It’s more than gloves Long sleeves protect against scratches. Edge guards protect against cuts and crushing. Be awareness of what is going on around you (what is your neighbor doing?) Slide 8 Prevention

Ergonomic Considerations  Proper body positioning to minimize force, angle, and frequency.  Appropriate material and tool placement.  Duration of activity. Slide 9 Prevention

Chemicals:  Rubber, nitrile, neoprene, PVC, PVA and other synthetics. (Chosen for the specific chemical in accordance with the MSDS.) Cutting Sheet Metal, Glass, or other Heavy Material:  Kevlar or Wire mesh Vibrating Equipment:  Shock absorbing High or Low Temperatures:  Cryogenic or insulated General Construction, Welding, Heavy Material  Leather Material Handling and Clean-up Work  Cotton light duty Slide 10 Glove Selection