Handprints

1. Handprints Leave a Handprint that You Are Proud Of!

2. Agenda • Why Hand Protection • Typical Hand Injuries • Project Hazard Assessment • Task Hazard Assessment • PPE – Hand Protection • Remember

3. Why Hand Protection is Important • You might remember coming home from school with a handprint. • You might remember when your child came home from school with a handprint. • You might remember when your grandchild came home from school with a handprint. • Why do we make handprints? Each handprint is unique. We make handprints to see how we grow and mature.

4. Why Hand Protection is Important • If you were to take a print of your hand today, how would it compare to the handprint you did in school? • Would it be larger? • Would it have more pronounced lines? • Does it have scars? • Is it missing a finger? • Why? Your hands are one of your greatest assets. And, as such, must be protected and cared for.

5. Why Focus on Hands? • We use our hands to assess: • Strength • Texture • Solidity • Shape • Your hands are the first point of contact, for any task you are doing. • As a result most injuries occur when your hands are improperly positioned, not protected, or when your hands are improperly protected.

6. Hand Injuries Filleting fish – 2002 Wrench slips – 2001 Table saw – 2005 Frozen Hand – 2001 Hammering nail – 1997 Sharpening knife – 1995 Various splinters – 1995 - 2009 Pinch Point (Scaffolding) – 2007

7. Repetitive Motion Injuries • Whenever you repeat the same hand movement over a long period of time, you run the risk of repetitive motion problems • Repetitive motion problems often appear as a numbness or tingling sensation accompanied by pain and the loss of gripping power in your hands. • If you start having these symptoms, take a break. Also, simple hand exercises such as flexing the wrist and stretching the fingers will help. • If the problem persists, talk with your Supervisor.

8. Prevention – Hazard Assessments

9. Prevention – Hierarchy of Controls • In all hazard identification and risk assessments we utilize the hierarchy of controls to address these hazards. • Elimination of the hazard • Substitution: replacing the hazard with one which presents a lower risk. • Engineering Controls: involves a barrier to interrupt the path between the worker and the hazard. • Administrative / Procedural Controls: reduce or eliminate exposure by adherence to procedures or instructions. • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): is least effective as a control measure, as it does not eliminate the hazard.

10. Project Hazard Assessment • The project should: • Assess the hazards, and key in on the tasks that have hand injury risks. • Determine specific controls to deal with specific hazards: • Engineering Controls and the use of mechanical devices. • Administrative Controls and specific procedures for tasks including ergonomic requirements. • Coordinate with the contractors on site to establish a project standard regarding hand protection requirements. • Issue Hazard Alerts when hand injury incidents occur. • Trend hand injury incidents.

11. Contributing Factors in Hand Injury Incidents • Hand and powered tools • Engineering Controls – e.g. guards in place • Administrative Controls – specific procedures and training • PPE • Vibration • Engineering Controls – e.g. alternative equipment • Administrative Controls - specific procedures and training • PPE • Crushing/Pinch Points • Engineering Controls – e.g. mechanical lifting devices • Administrative Controls - specific procedures and training • PPE

12. Contributing Factors in Hand Injury Incidents • Dropped objects • Engineering Controls – e.g. falling object protection • Administrative Controls - specific procedures and training • PPE • Struck by moving parts • Engineering Controls - e.g. guards • Administrative Controls - specific procedures and training • PPE • Contact with substances • Engineering Controls – e.g. closed transfer systems • Administrative Controls - specific procedures and training • PPE

13. Contributing Factors in Hand Injury Incidents • Slips, trips & falls • Engineering Controls – e.g. install no slip surfaces • Administrative Controls - specific procedures and training • PPE • Temperature extremes • Engineering Controls – e.g. enclosures, HVAC systems • Administrative Controls - specific procedures and training • PPE • Electricity • Engineering Controls – e.g. isolation systems • Administrative Controls - specific procedures and training • PPE

14. Contributing Factors in Hand Injury Incidents • Entanglement • Engineering Controls – e.g. guards, isolation systems • Administrative Controls - specific procedures and training • PPE • Sharp objects • Engineering Controls – e.g. designed barriers alternative equipment • Administrative Controls - specific procedures and training • PPE

15. Task Hazard Assessment • Prior to starting a task the project Task Hazard Assessment Process (FLHA, FLRA, PRA, THA) must be conducted. • Within the Task Hazard Assessment potential hand injury must be considered with the corresponding control requirements.

16. Task Hazard Assessment 1 Identify the Hazards x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

17. Last Option PPE • Select and use the right kind of glove for the task. • Select gloves that fit. • Assess the risk any rings, watches, or bracelets that might snag the hand/fingers. • Wash your hands before and after wearing your gloves. • Inspect your gloves before you use them. Look for tears, holes or cracks that might leak. • Replace gloves that are worn or torn. • Look after your gloves and they will look after you

18. Last Option PPE • Some gloves may be chemical specified and have a life expectancy. Discard them after the recommended time has expired. • After working with chemicals, hold your gloved hands under running water to rinse away any chemicals or dirt before removing the gloves. • Wash cotton gloves as needed. • Avoid borrowing gloves. Gloves are Personal Protective Equipment. (PPE) • Store gloves right side out in a clean, cool, dry, ventilated area. • Never wear gloves around powered rotating equipment - drills, lathes, etc.

19. PPE - Hand Protection • Metal mesh and Kevlar gloves resist sharp edges and prevent cuts. • Leather gloves shield your hands from rough surfaces. • Vinyl and neoprene gloves protect your hands against toxic chemicals.

20. PPE - Hand Protection • Padded cloth gloves protect your hands from sharp edges, slivers, dirt, and vibration. • Heat resistant gloves protect your hands from heat and flames. • Latex disposable gloves are used to protect your hands from germs, bacteria and dermatitis. • Rubber gloves protect you when working around electricity.

21. Remember • Take time out, and take a fresh look at your procedures. • Think about how you can injure your hands. Think “what if” and be aware of the hazards and the risk of injury. • Consider the human factors including physical capabilities, competency and training • Take stock of the task, environment, weather and plan your task to suit • Ensure equipment and tools are fit for purpose. • Use the correct Hand Protection, and remember PPE is a last resort, it only protects when all else has failed.

22. Remember • Take time to discuss what the potential Hazards to hand’s are and any measures to reduce the Risk. • Take Hand Safety home with you. • What will your handprint look like at the end of the project? LEAVE A HANDPRINT THAT YOU ARE PROUD OF!