Hand Safety 1 Copyright by PEC Safety Management, Inc.
Hand Safety One-third of all oil and gas industry accidents are hand injuries Companies should use engineering and work practice controls to protect workers from potential hand injuries PPE should be used to provide additional protection 2
Hand Hazards Potential hazards include Skin absorption Severe cuts, lacerations, or abrasions Fractures and amputations Punctures Chemical or thermal burns Electrical dangers Harmful temperature extremes 3
Preventative Actions Use the following preventative actions to protect your hands JSA and similar hazard identification measures Work glove selection and care Proper hand placement Tool and equipment safety Chemical and electrical safety Stretching Rigging safety, including hands-free methods Maintaining focus and staying alert 4
Personal Protective Equipment Proper hand PPE includes Gloves Finger guards Arm coverings Elbow length gloves 5
Gloves Gloves can protect against exposure to a variety of hand hazards There are many types of gloves The nature of the hazard and operation involved will affect glove selection Workers must use gloves specifically designed for the hazards and tasks found in their workplace Wearing the wrong type of glove for a job can result in serious injury 6
Gloves Some factors that may influence glove selection include Type of chemicals handled Nature of contact Total immersion, splash, etc. Duration of contact Area requiring protection Hand only, forearm, arm 7
Gloves Some factors that may influence glove selection include Grip requirements Dry, wet, oily Thermal protection Size and comfort Abrasion or resistance requirements 8
Gloves Rubber gloves include gloves made out of rubber, neoprene, vinyl, or latex Rubber gloves Must be worn when working with chemicals Must be worn when providing first aid Must be kept clean and free of holes Should be designed for use with chemicals Must not be used for protection against electricity o Certain chemically protective gloves are highly conductive May not be compatible for certain chemicals 9
Gloves Leather gloves are Designed to protect against these specific hazards Sharp edges Abrasive materials Hot work Cold work Useful when working with wire rope 10
Gloves Cloth gloves Used to protect hands against light abrasion and solid particulate material Must fit well to help avoid accidents Should not be worn when using rotating machinery High visibility gloves Come in highly visible colors Make the worker more aware of their hand placement Specialty gloves Special flameproof gloves or gauntlets Used in welding and cutting operations 11
Gloves Insulated rubber gloves are used for electrical work Cut resistant gloves Usually made from Kevlar and metal mesh Designed for workers who routinely perform cutting tasks with knives or other devices 12
Gloves Proper glove use Gloves should always be worn on the correct hand Select appropriately sized gloves Loose gloves can cause accidents Tight gloves can cause discomfort Put on and remove gloves carefully Roughly pulling off gloves can damage the material 13
Glove Maintenance and Inspection Keep gloves in a clean, dry place to protect against rot Dispose of gloves when they are too worn or no longer adequately protect hands Do not patch gloves with tape or any other material Check gloves for Holes Excessive wear Excessive buildup of dirt or other materials 14
Preventing Hand Injuries The hands are the most frequently injured part of the body Use your gloves to protect your hands Some causes of hand injury include Wrong PPE Faulty equipment Broken tools or guards Other engineering problems The most common cause of hand injuries is human error due to boredom, inattentiveness, or distractions 15
Preventing Hand Injuries To avoid hand injuries, observe the following Use the right glove for the job Do not use hands as tools get the correct tool for the job Position your body, hands, and fingers correctly Secure your work Use lockout/tagout whenever appropriate Use a push stick when using table- and jigsaws Be aware of pinch points and other hand hazards 16
Preventing Hand Injuries Be aware of moving and rotating parts that can trap your hands or fingers Do not wear gloves when working with gears or machinery that could catch and pull your fingers or hand into the machinery Remove jewelry and tuck in or roll up lose clothing 17
Preventing Hand Injuries Be aware of areas with built-in heaters or machinery parts that build up heat that can cause serious burns Be aware of other hand hazards such as crushed fingers or hands in door jams or when pulling a load through a doorway or tight area Maintain control of a lifted load; losing control can cause loads to shift or drop 18
First Aid for Fingers, Hands, and Arms There are two types of arm, hand, and finger injuries Traumatic Cuts, punctures, broken bones, and amputations Contact Skin diseases and temperature or chemical burns 19
First Aid for Fingers, Hands, and Arms For traumatic injuries Put direct pressure on any bleeding wound Raise the arm above your head to slow bleeding Wash and bandage all minor cuts, scrapes, and punctures to prevent infection If necessary, seek professional medical care 20
First Aid for Fingers, Hands, and Arms Traumatic injury worst case scenario amputation Notify emergency medical care professionals Keep the worker calm and quiet until help arrives Apply direct pressure to the injury and keep it elevated Wrap severed limb in a clean cloth and place over ice Send severed parts to the hospital with the worker 21
First Aid for Fingers, Hands, and Arms For contact injuries Run clean, cool water over the affected area for 15 minutes Do not use Solvents Industrial detergents Other unapproved chemicals Don t touch your face Rubbing your face to remove sweat or dust can inadvertently place chemicals or particles in the eye causing severe eye injuries 22
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