DIFFERENT TYPES OF WORKPLACE HAND HAZRADS:

Our hands consist of 27 bones, including 8 in the wrist, in addition to nerves, tendons, muscles
and ligaments. This feat of engineering allows us to carry out everyday tasks and precision
movements with minimal effort.

However, because of the amazing versatility of our hands, they are often exposed to many
different hazards in the workplace. The types of possible hand injury for workers include:

1. LACERATIONS & CUTS

Minor injuries of this type can include small scratches or cuts to the surface of the skin, which
can be easily treated and are quick to heal. However, if nerves or tendons are severed, the injury
can prove much more serious and have permanent consequences.

To reduce the risk of injury from cut or laceration incidents, users should always wear cut
resistant safety gloves when working with sharp objects, tools or machinery.

2. PUNCTURES
These types of injury are most commonly caused by handling sharp objects, machinery or tools
(both hand and power varieties). Improper use of such tools and machinery is one of the greatest
hazards workers face, resulting in injuries which can often lead to lost days at work and trauma
for the individual - both of which can be avoided through proper use and maintenance of tools
and machinery.

3. SKIN IRRITATION
Irritations to the skin, such as rashes and blisters, are caused by exposure to hazardous
substances or even soaps and detergents. Whilst the symptoms are usually mild, some cases can
lead to dermatitis which is an inflammation of the skin. This can sometimes become so severe
that the sufferer cannot continue to work.

Our TG1140 Morphic 1 glove is Sanitized® and OEKO-TEX Standard 100® accredited,
making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin. The Sanitized technology protects the
Morphic 1 from bacterial growth and odors, whilst the Standard 100 OEKO-TEX tests for
harmful substances.

4. BURNS
The most common burns that happen in the workplace are thermal, electrical or chemical.

 Thermal burns occur when the individual is exposed to flames, steam and hot surfaces or
liquids.
  Electrical burns happen when a current passes through the body but meets resistance in
the body's tissues, resulting in heat burn injuries.
 Chemical burns are the result of hazardous substances which cause a chemical change in
the skin. These burns continue to do damage until the chemical is washed away or the
chemical reaction is complete.

5. SPRAINS & STRAINS

It may seem counter-intuitive, but many hand injuries actually involve your feet. Employees who
slip on surfaces or trip over obstacles will often land heavily on their hands, causing wrist and
hand injuries.

Repetitive motion can also lead to problems such as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), otherwise
known as Upper Limb Disorder (ULD).

6. FRACTURES & BROKEN BONES

When blunt trauma occurs, it is often around moving equipment and machinery. Due to the force
and weight usually involved, the consequences of these injuries can be severe, including
fractures and broken bones.

Falling from height is another cause of such injuries.

7. AMPUTATIONS
This is the most extreme kind of injury, resulting in loss of all or part of the hand. Nowadays
such hand injuries are rare, but not unheard of, and are often caused by crushing due to moving
equipment or machinery.
REDUCING THE RISK:

Properly selected and used safety gloves are a simple and effective way of reducing risks to
hands in the workplace. Our TraffiGlove range offers gloves which provide protection against
sharp objects, hot objects, chemical exposure and environmental elements.

To find out more about the different types of gloves we offer and how they could reduce hand
injuries throughout your business, please get in touch today.
 Reduce Hand Injuries Today!

PUT YOUR FINGER ON HAND HAZARDS IN THE WORKPLACE:

Here’s a handy checklist to help you identify and control hand hazards in your
workplace.

Two tools are essential for almost any job you can think of—your hands. It’s natural, then,
that preventing hand injuries should be high on your list of safety priorities.

Workers’ hands are susceptible to many kinds of hazards, including:

 Chemical hazards. The hands are the most likely point of contact for hazardous
chemicals that can either damage the skin directly (causing irritation, sensitization, and
other skin damage) or be absorbed (causing systemic effects from organ damage to
cancer).
  Chemical burns. A more severe injury than some types of chemical damage, chemical
burns occur when the skin comes into contact with acids, caustics, and some other types
of strong chemicals.
 Cuts and lacerations. Severe cuts and lacerations can result from working with
machinery and equipment such as cutting and forming equipment (for example, table
saws and presses);
 hand tools (for example, saws and grinders); metal straps or wires
used for packaging; sharp or unfinished edges on equipment and even guards; and
broken glass.
 Abrasions. Severe abrasions, including scrapes and tearing of the skin, can occur when
workers use, handle, or work in close proximity to tools and equipment such as sanders,
grinders, conveyor belts, and rotating shafts; and rough surfaces (for example, those
sometimes found on scrap metal and lumber).

 Puncture wounds. Workers are at risk of puncture wounds when they work with tools
and equipment such as drills, nail guns, and even screwdrivers; slivers of metal or wood;
and needles, scalpels, capillary tubes, and other medical or laboratory equipment.
 Thermal burns. Burns caused by heat can result when workers are involved in hot work
(for example, welding, cutting, and brazing operations); working on or near steam
equipment (for example, boilers and steam piping); working on or near cooking
equipment; and working on or near industrial ovens for baking, drying, or annealing.
 Frostbite. Working outside in frigid conditions, or working with cryogenic materials, can
freeze the skin and surrounding tissues, potentially causing permanent damage.

CONTROLLING HAND HAZARDS

Fortunately, there are significant steps you can take to protect workers’ hands. For example:

 Choose the right gloves. Whether you’re choosing chemical protective gloves or gloves
to protect workers against abrasion, cuts, and punctures, choose carefully. Not all
chemical protective gloves protect against all chemicals. Use the manufacturer’s glove
selection chart to check your choice. In some situations, work gloves may become
entangled and create a greater hazard, so you may need to prohibit their use.
 Guard hazards. “Hard guards” can help keep workers’ hands away from some types of
hazards.
 Smooth out the rough spots. Protect against cuts and abrasions by smoothing the edges
and surfaces of equipment whenever possible.
 Make sure workers use tools. Brushes, push sticks, and other tools can put some
distance between a worker’s hands and certain hazards.