Our hands are some of our most valuable tools. Without our hands, it would be nearly impossible to do the work we do Our hands are used for almost all activities. Our hands have another invaluable partner, our eyes Eyes are the spotter for our hands Our eyes must be aware of the hazards that are near when using our hands What are a few of the dangers that we may encounter with our hands, and what can we do to mitigate them?

These gloves have been used for many years in the construction industry. Leather gloves are good for many tasks and protect us from many hazards, including; sharp edges, small amounts of heat, ect… They are a basic necessity for everyday jobs

Welding gloves are ideal for welding, torch cutting and all other tasks where hot materials will be handled.

These gloves shield our hands from acids, caustics, and solvents.

Disposable gloves protect us from contamination, chemicals, and infection with disposable nitrile, latex, or vinyl materials.

When we work with energized equipment, we need special protection to guard against electrical hazards, like shocks and burns.

Lets see if we can recognize, and mitigate the hand hazards…

Worker was cutting 4” conduit. Grinder bound and kicked back cutting the worker’s left wrist between his glove and jacket. What could be done to prevent this incident?

The crew was removing a drift pin by positioning the tip of a smaller pin against the head of a larger pin and striking it with a hammer. The worker swinging the hammer missed the pin and struck his co- workers hand, pinching it between the hammer and the flange. How could this incident have been prevented?

Sometimes there are hazards in picking up trash, as this soda can helps to demonstrate

DOW RESTRICTED - For internal use only Grinding on top of pipe with one hand while holding material with the other hand. Grinder kicked back and struck the left thumb. What could have prevented this incident from happening?

When we flip over the 1x4, we see 5 nails Sometimes hand hazards are not visible at first glance…

Our hands must be guided by our eyes How can we protect our hands from pinch points? In the next few slides, we will see if we can spot a few pinch points as well as other hand hazards

DOW RESTRICTED - For internal use only As the worker was pulling the knife towards himself the blade slipped off the cable causing a laceration to his hand in the approximate location of arrow. How would you prevent this incident from happening?

DOW RESTRICTED - For internal use only Using a hammer to strike a clamp wedge, the worker’s palm was caught between the wedge and the hammer causing a laceration requiring sutures. Preventable?

Why must we wear gloves when we paint?

Why Are These Incidents Happening? Behaviors: The Correct Tool is Used Improperly (e.g. No handle on the grinder)The Correct Tool is Used Improperly (e.g. No handle on the grinder) Unsafe Hand/Body Position (hand/arm/wrist in “Line of Fire”)Unsafe Hand/Body Position (hand/arm/wrist in “Line of Fire”) PPE Not Worn (No Gloves or Gloves Without Longer Gauntlets. Long Sleeves or Kevlar Wristlets were not worn when needed).PPE Not Worn (No Gloves or Gloves Without Longer Gauntlets. Long Sleeves or Kevlar Wristlets were not worn when needed). Material Not Secured (holding material with hand instead of using clamp or vice when grinding/cutting).Material Not Secured (holding material with hand instead of using clamp or vice when grinding/cutting).

Why? Placing higher priority on productivity vs. safetyPlacing higher priority on productivity vs. safety Inadequate Needs / Risk AssessmentInadequate Needs / Risk Assessment Inadequate / Improper ToolsInadequate / Improper Tools Poor Judgement - (e.g. Using hands to hold materials instead of using clamps or vices)Poor Judgement - (e.g. Using hands to hold materials instead of using clamps or vices) Fatigue (routine task performed repeatedly)Fatigue (routine task performed repeatedly) Shortcuts / Attempt to Save TimeShortcuts / Attempt to Save Time Complacency (diminishes hazard identification capability)Complacency (diminishes hazard identification capability) AND sometimes the poor judgments and poor work habits result from the erroneous belief that:AND sometimes the poor judgments and poor work habits result from the erroneous belief that: “It Ain’t Gonna Happen to Me”

Some Specifics Use the Correct Tool for the JobUse the Correct Tool for the Job Review safe use practices for the tools you are using.Review safe use practices for the tools you are using. Keep Hands and Body Out of the “Line of Fire”Keep Hands and Body Out of the “Line of Fire” –Position (e.g. Anticipate unexpected movement of Material or Equipment) –Pinch Points –Sharp Edges Mechanically secure the material you are working on (Use clamps or vices, not hands!)Mechanically secure the material you are working on (Use clamps or vices, not hands!)

What to do to prevent these types of injuries from happening again? Take your Pre Task Assessment seriously - No lip serviceTake your Pre Task Assessment seriously - No lip service Use your professional skills and knowledge to identify the hazards & reduce them to a low risk factorUse your professional skills and knowledge to identify the hazards & reduce them to a low risk factor Document your plan through JTA’s/Permits/ProceduresDocument your plan through JTA’s/Permits/Procedures Look For (and Fix) Previously Unseen Hazards as You Work. If something unexpected comes up, STOP and talk it over with your fellow worker/s - then proceed after re-evaluating the Risk and doing what is required to reduce the Risk to “LOW”.Look For (and Fix) Previously Unseen Hazards as You Work. If something unexpected comes up, STOP and talk it over with your fellow worker/s - then proceed after re-evaluating the Risk and doing what is required to reduce the Risk to “LOW”.