Hand Safety

1
Hand Safety Part-2
2
Contents

• Glove Selection
• Hand Tools
• Fixed, Open Blade Knives
• Other Hand Hazards
• Pinches
• Chemical and thermal burns
• Jewelry and loose clothing
• Conclusions

3
Some Hand Injury Facts

• Nearly 25 of work injuries involve hands or
  fingers.
• 70 of the injured workers were not wearing
  gloves.
• 30 of the injured workers were wearing improper
  or damaged gloves.

4
Work Rules

• A Site Specific Health and Safety Plan will be
  prepared that identifies and mitigates hazards
  that could be encountered for the job being
  performed.
• The hand is involved in every job done in the
  field.
• Therefore, the HASP must identify hazards to the
  hands and the steps that will be taken to protect
  them.

5
Gloves to Protect Against Physical Hazards
HAZARD TYPE OF GLOVE  
Light Duty Cotton, Leather, Rubber Coated or Kevlar  
Medium Duty Leather or Kevlar
Heavy Duty Kevlar (exposure to sharp or jagged metal, glass, box cutters, etc), stainless core (stainless steel woven into material), HexArmorTM
High Temperature Kevlar/Nomex/Fibreglass  
Low Temperature Insulating Gloves  
Puncture Resistance Aramid, HexArmorTM
6
String Knit Gloves with Kevlar and Plastic Dots
Cut, slash, heat and abrasion resistance,
dexterity, launderable
7
Rubber Coated Kevlar
Puncture resistance, good ventilation and
dexterity, good for glass handling or when glass
may be encountered.
8
Cut Resistance and Grip
Kevlar, Spectra and Stainless Steel
construction. Polyurethane coating provides slip
resistant grip.
9
Glove Guard Glove Retainer
Have them available at all times
www.gloveguard.com
10
Rules for theSafe Use of Hand Tools

• Select the right size tool for the job. Dont
  use cheaters and avoid pulling old tools from
  the waste stream. Theres a reason why they were
  thrown away!
• Always inspect tools before use and replace or
  repair work or damaged tools.
• Always keep the cutting edges sharp and never
  test a cutting edge with your finger.
• When working on an elevated surface (ladder,
  truck, scaffold), ensure your tools are secure.
  Falling tools can cause serious injury.
• Always carry your tools correctly and never put
  sharp or pointed tools in your pocket.
• When carrying hand tools, always point the
  cutting edge to the ground.
• Always keep your tools in a dry place to prevent
  rust.

11
Screwdrivers

• Most screwdrivers are not designed to be used on
  electrical equipment. Use an insulated
  screwdriver for electrical work.
• Do not hold an object in the palm of one hand and
  press a screwdriver into it place the object on
  a bench or table.
• Never hammer with a screwdriver.
• Never use a screwdriver with a broken handle,
  bent or burred blade, etc.

12
Pliers

• Do not use pliers as a substitute for hammers or
  wrenches.
• Use insulated pliers when doing electrical work.
• Inspect the pliers frequently to make certain
  that they are free of breaks or cracks.

13
Hammers

• Use the correct hammer for the type of work to be
  done.
• Always wear safety glasses, particularly when
  using a ball peen hammer.
• Have an unobstructed swing when using a hammer
  and watch for overhead interference.

• Check for defects before using. If the hammer
  head shows signs of mushrooming, replace it
  immediately.
• Handles may be wood, tubular or solid steel or
  fiberglass. Never use any hammer with a loose
  handle. Fix it or replace it before the head
  flies off and causes injury to you or someone
  else.
• Replace or tighten loose handles with the proper
  wedges never use nails or staples for wedges.
• If a steel or fiberglass handle is loose, it is
  more difficult to repair than a wooden one. Some
  fiberglass handles can be tightened with the aid
  of a repair kit with epoxy materials, as can
  metal handles.

14
Wrenches

• Select the correct size of wrench for the job.
• Never use a pipe wrench as a wrench handle
  extension.
• Too much leverage can ruin a tool and cause
  injury.
• To avoid sudden slips, stand in a balanced
  position and always pull on the wrench instead of
  pushing against the fixed jaw, particularly when
  a pinch point is created.
• Whenever possible use a box end wrench instead of
  an open end wrench to avoid slipping.

15
Chisels

• Always wear safety goggles or a face shield when
  using a chisel.
• Drive chisels outward and away from your body.
• Do not use chisels to pry.
• Keep edges sharp for most effective work and
  protect when not in use.

16
Knives

• Use an alternative cutter that is suitable for
  the job whenever possible (see Alternative Tools,
  below).
• Always perform a job safety analysis when the use
  of a knife is the only alternative.
• Always cut away from the body.
• Always keep hands and body clear of the knife
  stroke.
• Make sure there is plenty of space around you
  when using a knife.
• Always keep the blades sharp.
• Never use a knife as a screwdriver.

17
Other Sharp Objects

• Broken glass never attempt to clean up broken
  glass with the hands always use a broom and
  dustpan, tongs, or other appropriate tools.
• Auger stems never attempt to remove objects
  caught in an auger stem with the bare hand.
  Always use a tool or wear the appropriate cut
  resistant gloves.
• Hypodermic needles at uncontrolled or old
  sites, always be aware that drug activity could
  have been taking place at the site. Always wear
  puncture resistant gloves when clearing debris
  from these sites.
• Debris demolition debris can be rife with sharp
  surfaces and objects. Always wear cut/puncture
  resistant gloves when clearing demolition debris.

18
Fixed, Open Blade Knives Policy

• Uncontrolled and improper use of utility knives,
  multi-tools (i.e, Leatherman) and pocket knives,
  collectively known as Fixed, Open-Bladed Knives
  (FOBKs), is a safety liability.
• Training programs (hand safety, tool safety, PPE,
  etc.) alone are not effective in eliminating hand
  lacerations injuries caused by FOBKs. Theyre
  just too easy and tempting to use.
• Our goal is elimination of FOBKs on sites.

19
Context

• FOBKs are tools that have an exposed, prominent,
  sharp-edged blade that is fixed or can be locked
  into a fixed position.
• Examples of FOBKs include pocket knives,
  multi-tools, hunting knives, and standard utility
  knives.
• Complacency factor - Knives are dangerous
  tools. However, they are so common place that
  their hazards are often underestimated or
  ignored.
• The uncontrolled and improper use of FOBKs is a
  common factor in hand injuries (lacerations)
  reported within our industry.

20
Safer Alternative Tools

• Most of the tasks we perform using FOBKs can be
  performed equally well, if not better, using
  safety knives or alternative cutting tools
  (shears, tube cutters, or specialty cutting
  tools).
• Common tasks performed on sites using FOBKs
  include
• Cutting twine, tubing, plastic/rubber sheeting
• Cutting open packages (boxes, bags)
• Cutting PVC piping
• Cutting Geoprobe soil sample liners
• There are safer alternatives readily available on
  the market that can effective accomplish these
  tasks while providing additional protection to
  site workers.

21
Practice and Guidelines

• The use of safety knives and alternative tools is
  standard, unless these is not a safer, more
  effective substitute..
• If an FOBK will be used on site, the hazards
  associated with FOBK must be outlined in the HASP.

• Workers that use FOBKs must have training in the
  safe use of that tool and any associated PPE.
• This practice applies to subcontractors as well
  as URS employees.

22
Use of Alternative Tools

• Alternative cutting tools have risks associated
  with them. Each tool has a sharp cutting blade
  (although it is usually protected or
  self-retracting). Also, during initial use,
  employees will be unfamiliar with them.
  Employees using these tools must
• Be trained how to use them safely
• self retracting or guarded knives typically have
  a lever which must be engaged to expose the
  cutting blade
• shears and scissors are guarded only by the limit
  of the jaws opening
• Wear the proper PPE when necessary
• The use of safety knives or specialty cutting
  tools may mean that one tool will no longer
  accomplish all cutting tasks on-site. A tool
  belt or other tool carrying device may help
  workers transport and access these tools
  efficiently.
• Unlike FOBKs, alternative tools may not be
  sharpenable. Discard when dull or if the blade
  has been bent or burred.

23
Safer Alternative Tools

• Types of safety knives or alternative cutting
  tools
• Self-retracting utility knives (brands - OLFA,
  Martor, Allway Tools)

• Guarded utility knives (brands The Safety Knife
  co., Martor)

• Shears, snips, scissors (brands Ridgid,
  Craftsman, Wolfcraft)

Note The mention of any product or company on
this page does not constitute an endorsement.
24
Safer Alternative Tools

• Types of safety knives or alternative cutting
  tools
• Concealed blade cutters (brands - The Safety
  Knife Co., Martor)

• Pipe cutters (brands Rigid, Empire)

• Specialty cutter (brand Geoprobe)

Note The mention of any product or company on
this page does not constitute an endorsement.
25
Safer Alternative Tools - Ratcheting Tools

• Tools like these are equipped with a ratcheting
  mechanism that allows easier, incremental
  squeezing or twisting effort to operate the tool,
  easing the strain on hands and wrists.

26
Pinches

• Pinch Points are found between a moving object
  and stationary object, or between two
  continuously moving objects.
• Pinch points can be found in many operations,
  most notably drilling.
• A thorough Job Safety Analysis must be performed
  prior to starting work to identify pinch points
  and the steps to be taken to avoid them.
• Unlike most hand hazards, gloves cannot protect
  against pinch points. There are no
  steel-fingered gloves, like steel-toed shoes.
• Therefore, never place your hand/fingers or any
  other part of your body in pinch points. Always
  use push sticks, guards, shields, and other
  devices as appropriate.

27
Ever Think of This as a Pinch Point?
Keep your hands and feet inside cabs and cages of
equipment.
28
Lots of Pinch Points Here on an Old Rig
Here
Here
Here
Here
29
Heres the Major One
30
Things to Beware Of in Evaluating Pinch Points

• Equipment that swings like the auger stem on a
  drilling rig. Dont try to stop the swing unless
  you have the proper tool to do so. Never use
  your hands alone.
• Doorways when going through doors, never handle
  objects by the sides that will potentially
  contact the jamb.
• Wear gloves while moving heavy objects to ensure
  a firm, non-slip grip, and be aware that losing
  control of something heavy can cause smashed
  hands. Dont try to catch it let it drop.
  Equipment is replaceable, your hands are not.
• Automated Equipment - Be alert when working
  around automated equipment, including remote or
  motor operated valves. Relays, delay timers, and
  remote controllers can cause equipment to open,
  close or "start up" without warning. Never put
  you hands in the line of fire for this type of
  equipment.

31
Chemical Resistance

• For information on chemical resistant gloves,
  refer to websites such as ChemRest at
• http//www.chemrest.com/
• or refer to the MSDS for the chemical being
  handled.
• Glove materials include latex, nitrile, butyl
  rubber, PVC, neoprene, Viton and Silver Shield.
• For the chemicals most often encountered in URS
  fieldwork (gasoline, diesel fuel, BTEX), Viton
  and nitrile are the best selection for chemical
  resistance.

Note The mention of any product or company on
this page does not constitute an endorsement.
32
Burns

• Hot Spots - Certain types of machinery, like air
  compressors, have built-in heaters or generate
  heat. Hot areas on these machines can cause
  serious burns. Leather gloves can protect your
  hands from hot spots.
• Frostbite Work in cold, windy areas can lead to
  frostbite in a matter of minutes. Specialty
  gloves are available.

33
Jewelry and Loose Clothing

• Jewelry and sleeves can easily get caught in
  moving machinery, particularly drilling rigs.
• Always remove all jewelry before beginning work
  and make sure sleeves are rolled up above the
  elbow, if appropriate.
• California Standard - Wrist watches, rings, or
  other jewelry should not be worn while working
  with or around machinery with moving parts in
  which such objects may be caught, or around
  electrically energized equipment. (8 CCR
  7.2.10.3384).
• Jewelry should also not be worn if it could
  compromise the integrity of the hand protection
  (such as puncturing gloves).

34
Conclusions

• Proper hand protection is the result of 4
  factors
• A complete assessment of the hazards to the hand
  for the work being done.
• The proper use of personal protective equipment
  identified in the Health and Safety Plan.
• The proper selection of the safest tools to do
  the job.
• Auditing and reinforcement of the proper
  behaviors.
• The hand is one of the most important tools
  another is the brain use both carefully.