A worker’s hands can be pretty important for a wide variety of jobs. However, hand injuries tend to be some of the most common workplace injuries. That’s why it’s important to practice good hand safety procedures. Doing so can help keep your hands in good shape and ready to go each shift…
Hand Safety: Steps To Take
Use protective equipment
The most immediate form of hand safety is special protective equipment. Depending on your job, your hands might be the closest thing to the tools or heavy machinery in use. This puts them at the highest risk of injury compared to other parts of your body. As a result, it’s important to ensure that they’re well protected.
Gloves are perhaps the most common and useful form of hand protection. However, not all gloves are created equal, so it’s important to pick the right type for the job at hand. For example, if you’re doing a lot of cutting or working with sharp tools, you’ll want cut-resistant gloves. If you’re working with chemicals, you’ll want burn-resistant gloves instead.
Equipment safety guards
Even if you have protective equipment, it might not be enough. For instance, working with things like presses could crush your hands if they get caught. However, many machines like these will come with equipment safety guards. Using these guards properly is another important part of hand safety.
Make sure to read any signage or instructions about how to use these guard properly. Using them improperly could negate their overall usefulness. Plus, you should inspect the guards before using them. Inspecting them can help make sure they’re still in good shape, and won’t break on you while you work.
Use hand stretches
These days, the number of workplaces which use computers are always increasing. You might not think that your hands are at risk here, but they indeed are. Carpal tunnel and other strains are pretty common in workers who are always typing and using workplace computers. That’s why keeping your hands loose is important for good hand safety.
It helps to take occasional breaks to give you hands a rest from typing. This will let you stretch them out and keep them loose for when you go back to working. Plus, it also helps to watch your typing form. Keep your wrists level, and don’t use any more force than you need to.