Did you know that the United States recorded 2.6 million nonfatal workplace injuries in 2023? These injuries range from minor cuts and bruises to serious issues like fractures, burns, or nerve damage, many of which are preventable with proper precautions.
At Pittsburgh Hand and Nerve, we specialize in the treatment of Hand and Nerve injuries, and offer Occupational Hand Therapy to help individuals recover and maintain optimal hand function. Based in Pittsburgh, Dr. Spiess provides personalized care for workplace injuries and other hand-related conditions. If you’ve had a hand injury or need preventative care, schedule an appointment with us to start your recovery.
Keep reading to discover our top seven hand safety tips to help you stay safe and injury-free in the workplace.
1. Importance of Hand Protection and Proper Ergonomics
Hand protection is key to keeping your most valuable tool—your hands—safe from serious injury. Safety concerns such as the use of ergonomic tools and the practice of proper posture technique, are essential to preventing nerve irritation and tendon or muscle other strain. Avoid holding hand tools with your wrist bent for extended periods, as this can lead to nerve irritation or muscle of tendon strain. Always ensure that your environment is optimized for safety.
2. Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Wearing protective gloves is essential for hand safety, especially when handling dangerous hazards like sharp objects, broken glass, or hot materials. Proper gloves, such as rubber gloves, vinyl gloves, or metal mesh gloves, provide a critical barrier against cuts, abrasions, burns, and exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Always inspect your PPE for wear and tear, as damaged gloves can lead to caustic substance exposure, and loose-fitting gloves can lead to gloves getting sucked into machinery.
For effective hand safety toolbox talk points, emphasize the selection of appropriate work gloves designed for specific tasks, whether you’re handling heavy objects or working in extreme temperatures. Always remember to wear gloves to keep your hands protected and safe.
3. Safe Handling of Tools and Machinery
Always use tools and machinery according to manufacturer guidelines, and never bypass safety guards. Inadequate training on a machine can result in serious injuries, including hand crush injuries or fingertip injuries.
Loose clothing or getting a ring caught in machinery can lead to severe injury. Proper training on tools and machines, can prevent accidents.
4. Preventing Slips and Falls
A clutter-free workspace minimizes the risk of slipping and fall injuries, which result in hand or wrist injuries. Ensure that floors are dry and wear slip-resistant footwear. For safety's sake, an adequate assessment of workplace slip and fall risks is vital.
5. Correct Posture and Hand Positioning
Maintaining proper hand positioning and avoiding work with the wrist in bent positions helps prevent nerve irritation, tendon and muscle strains, and damage to deeper tissues. Holding tools or heavy objects improperly or for prolonged periods increases the risk of hand or wrist injuries. Ensure that employees are aware of the risks of improper lifting technique and the handling of hazardous objects.
6. Regular Breaks to Reduce Strain
Encouraging regular breaks reduces hand and wrist fatigue when working with hand tools and machines. Stretching and resting periodically can prevent severe injuries like muscle strain and nerve pain caused by overuse.
7. Educating Employees on Safety Protocols
Comprehensive safety training is essential for protecting employees from workplace hazards. Workers must understand proper safety precautions for the use of machines or tools and the handling of dangerous objects.
Proper education on the use of protective gloves can prevent hand and finger injuries or skin burns.
Start Your Path to Safer Hands Today
Prioritizing hand safety and health in the workplace can prevent injuries and enhance productivity. At Pittsburgh Hand and Nerve, we're here to support you with expert care and solutions tailored to your needs.
Schedule an appointment with Pittsburgh Hand and Nerve today to ensure your hands get the specialized attention they deserve. Dr. Alexander Spiess is dedicated to providing top-tier care to help you maintain a safer and healthier work environment. Don’t wait—contact us now to get started!
