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Hand Injuries and Pinch Points

Versatility

Injuries

Our hands are very versatile and so we use them in almost everything we do.

We use them in many areas that are dangerous

Safety Is in Your Hands

Safety Is in Your hands

Let’s review a number of serious hand injuries within similar industrial construction projects that has happened this year.

The incidents have caused a great deal of pain for the workers involved and have affected their quality of life.

Hands are exposed to many forms of injury

Hands are exposed to many forms of injury

  • Cuts on/ from sharp objects: Threads, knives, edges, cladding, sheet metal, broken wire.

  • Contact with chemicals: Reference the SDS to see which chemicals are toxic on your site.

  • Moving machinery: Power tools- insufficient guarding, high speed operation, holding work pieces with hand instead of clamping down, using grinders, skill saws

  • Contact with heat/cold: hot mud, engine exhausts, tools in the sun, ice/ icy surfaces.

  • Pinching: pump/pipe/steel alignment, rigging loads, off-loading, spanners slipping, power tools twisting.

Scenario

While in the process of cutting a one foot 4x4 piece of blocking with a skill saw, a worker attempted to reposition his hand. (The one that was holding the 4x4)….

…The lower rotating blade wasn’t checked before use…

What could he have done to avoid this injury?

Unacceptable Trade Practices

Unacceptable Trade Practices

Worker was cutting a 4” conduit. Grinder bound and kicked back cutting the worker’s left wrist between his glove and jacket.

What could have been done to prevent this incident?..

Unacceptable Trade Practices

The crew was removing a drift pin by positioning the 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 have this been prevented?

Scenario

scenerio

  • While Worker A was assisting his crew while they were putting a 48” pipe shoe under the pipe. Worker was holding shoe in place and was distracted by something behind him.
  • Another worker (Worker B) jumped on the shoe putting it place and unfortunately Worker A had his three fingers crushed in the pinch point between shoe and pipe.
  • When asked about his accident, Worker A blames his injury on poor communication and improper tools for the job

Knife Slip

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?

Danger with Sharp Edges

During a routine bolt up an employee sustained a cut. Looking at the picture on the left. Can you see where the cut hazard was?

Could covering the sharp edge have helped?

Jewelry Rings

Jewelry Rings

While wearing a gold ring and removing a battery, the wrench he was using slipped grounding out causing the burn.

While climbing down a ladder this person caught his ring on the ladder.

Main Causes for Hand Injuries

Main Causes

  • The correct tool has been used improperly. For example, no handle on the grinder, or using a banana knife as a screwdriver. (believe me, it happens)

  • Unsafe hand/ body positioning. Hands, arms, wrists in the line of fire.

  • PPE not worn. No gloves, or not wearing the right type of gloves suitable to the task.

  • Material not secured well enough. Holding material with hands instead of clamps or a vice.

  • Improper wrench, using an adjustable wrench instead of the correct combinational wrench for the task.

Why do they Happen?

Why

  • The inattention or the lack of focus.
  • Using the incorrect tool
  • Placing higher priority on productivity vs safety.
  • Inadequate needs/ assessment of risk
  • Cutting corners or rushing. Mistaking your priorities and rushing through your task.
  • Poor Judgment. Using hands to hold materials instead of clamps.
  • Lifting or applying force incorrectly.
  • Job scoop changing

What is a Pinch Point

Pinch Points

A pinch point is a painful squeeze in between two objects. It doesn’t have to be a hand. You could drop something on your foot and that would be considered a pinch point.

However, pinch points are a leading cause to hand injuries. Whether if you slammed your hand in a door, or your hand got stuck under material while unloading a truck.

What are Pinch Points

Examples

Doors

Pipe

Catch basins

Extension ladders

Heavy Equipment

Vehicles

Drawers and cupboards

Pinch Points are Everywhere

Pinch Points are everywhere

Any surface you place your hand, you have a possibility to get pinched. Whether you have your hand placed on the table casually and someone drops something on it, or as a welder’s helper rolling pipe, you may pinch your thumb in between pipe and pry bar.

Working around heavy equipment can put you in harms way when it comes to pinch points.

Heavy equipment is exactly as the name says. It’s heavy. Heavy moving parts that can move faster then you’d think. Know the pinch points if you’re a spotter. Big wheels, gears, moving stationary, buckets, claws. Your hands or your body can always get pinched by any moving equipment.

PPE

PPE is one of the best forms of defense when trying to avoid hand injuries or pinch points. Although, work gloves can’t save you from pinched gears in heavy equipment, it does make it harder for your hand to be sliced through.

There are many different types of gloves to use for specific tasks. Make sure you are aware of the proper PPE before you enter a new task.

Dress appropriately for work with pants and sleeves that are not too long or too loose. Shirts should be fitted or tucked in. Do not wear any kind of jewelry. Tie back long hair and tuck braids and ponytails behind you or into your clothing. Wear the appropriate, well-fitting gloves for your job.

Complacency

We have talked about rushing, about not wearing proper PPE, or using proper tools, but this is all due to lack of attention. Jobs can get repetitious. This can make it hard for a worker not to become complacent. Once you hit this wall, it is importanct to step back and re-evaluate.Look for possible pinch points before you start a task. Take the time to plan out your actions and decide on the necessary steps to work safely. Give your work your full attention. Don't joke around, daydream, or try to multi-task on the job-most accidents occur when workers are distracted. Read and follow warning signs posted on equipment. If you value all that your hands can do, THINK before you put them in a hazardous spot.

Hand Protection Checklist

Hand Protection Checklist

  • Be alert to possible unguarded pinch points.
  • Always use push-sticks, guards, shields, and other protective devices when appropriate.
  • Do not remove guards
  • Use brushes to wipe away debris
  • Inspect equipment, tools and machinery before and after tasks to make sure that it is in Disconnect power and follow established lock-out procedures before repairing or cleaning machinery.
  • good operating condition.
  • Disconnect power and follow established lock-out procedures before repairing or cleaning machinery.
  • Never wear jewellery or loose clothing when working with moving machine parts
  • Use the appropriate PPE for the specific task you are performing
  • When wearing gloves or cuffs, be sure they fit properly and are rated for the specific task you are performing
  • Select tools designed to keep wrists straight to help avoid repetitive motion/ over-use problems.
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