Workplace hand injuries occur more frequently than most workers realize. Cuts, burns, chemical exposure, and crushing injuries can happen in seconds, potentially sidelining you for weeks, months, or longer. Fortunately, with the right knowledge and equipment, most of these injuries are entirely preventable.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to protect your hands in the workplace by choosing the right gloves and understanding safety protocols. If you’re a blue-collar worker, you won’t want to miss the information ahead.
Choose the Right Protective Gloves
Different work environments require various types of hand protection, and using the wrong gloves can leave you vulnerable to injury. Let’s review the types of protective gloves so you can choose a pair for you.
Heavy-Duty Work Gloves
When you handle rough materials or sharp objects, heavy-duty work gloves protect your hands from cuts and abrasions. These gloves typically feature reinforced palms and fingers made from leather or synthetic materials that resist tearing and punctures.
Chemical-Resistant Gloves
If you work with hazardous substances, chemical-resistant gloves are nonnegotiable. Nitrile, neoprene, and PVC gloves offer varying levels of chemical protection. However, always check the manufacturer’s chemical compatibility chart to ensure your gloves provide adequate protection against the specific substances you encounter.
Heat-Resistant Gloves
High-dexterity heat-resistant gloves allow you to maintain finger mobility while protecting your digits against thermal hazards. Ideal for welding, foundry work, or handling hot materials, these specialized gloves use advanced materials that resist heat transfer.
Disposable Gloves
Disposable gloves work well for light-duty tasks involving mild chemicals or contaminated materials. Since they provide minimal protection against punctures or cuts, you should reserve them for appropriate applications only.
No matter which gloves you use, replace them immediately when you notice signs of wear, degradation, or contamination. Worn gloves compromise your protection and may increase the risk of injury.
Maintain Proper Hand Hygiene and Skin Care
Establishing good hygiene practices protects your hands from harmful substances and maintains healthy skin that becomes your first line of defense.
Clean Hands Are Safe Hands
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water at regular intervals throughout your shift. Spend at least 20 seconds washing to remove all traces of chemicals, dirt, and bacteria. Carefully clean under your fingernails and between your fingers, as these are spots where contaminants often accumulate.
Choose the Correct Cleaner
Use appropriate cleaners for different types of hand contamination. For example, waterless hand cleaners are effective for removing grease and oil, while specialized soaps neutralize specific chemicals. Avoid using harsh solvents or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage your skin and create entry points for infection.
Moisturize Your Skin
To prevent dry, cracked skin, apply hand moisturizer regularly. Healthy skin provides better protection against chemicals and reduces the likelihood of developing painful splits that can become infected. Choose moisturizers that won’t interfere with your glove fit or grip.
Avoid Jewelry
Jewelry can catch on workplace equipment, trap contaminants against your skin, and prevent proper glove fit. Remove all jewelry before work, putting it in your locker until the end of your shift.
Practice Safe Equipment Operation
Many hand injuries occur during equipment operation, but following proper procedures and maintaining situational awareness can reduce your risk of injury. Follow these steps for safe equipment handling:
- Keep your hands clear of pinch points, moving parts, and cutting edges.
- Identify all potential equipment hazards before beginning work.
- Never attempt to clear jams, adjust settings, or perform maintenance while machinery is in operation.
- Use push sticks, guides, and other safety devices to maintain safe distances between your hands and dangerous equipment.
- Keep guards and safety devices in place and properly functioning. Never remove or bypass safety equipment for any reason!
- Maintain a firm grip on tools and materials.
Handle Hazardous Materials Safely
Chemical exposure can cause immediate burns to your hands and even long-term health problems. However, with proper handling techniques, you can minimize your exposure and protect your hands from harm.
Read Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
SDS documents provide crucial information about protective equipment requirements, first aid procedures, and proper handling techniques. Understanding chemical hazards helps you select appropriate protection and respond correctly to exposure.
Minimize the Amount of Chemicals
By reducing the quantity of hazardous materials you handle in your day-to-day duties, you can decrease your exposure risk and limit the consequences of accidental spills or splashes.
Transfer Chemicals With Care
Use funnels, pumps, and other transfer devices to prevent splashing, maintain control, and minimize direct contact. Additionally, work in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhaling vapors that can seriously damage your skin.
Practice Proper Storage
Always store chemicals according to the manufacturer’s instructions and company policies. Remember, incompatible chemicals can create dangerous reactions when accidentally mixed. Proper storage reduces the risk of leaks and spills that create hand contact hazards.
Recognize and Report Hand Hazards
Identifying potential hazards before they cause injuries allows you to take preventive action and protect yourself and your coworkers. Avoid hazards with these effective strategies:
- Inspect your work area daily for sharp objects, chemical spills, hot surfaces, and other hand hazards.
- Report unsafe conditions to your supervisor promptly.
- Watch for signs of equipment malfunction that could create hand injury risks. Stop using the machine if you have concerns about it, and let your supervisor know.
- Pay attention to environmental factors that affect hand safety.
- Learn from near misses and actual injuries, avoiding those mistakes when you’re on the job.
Get Proper Training and Stay Updated
Comprehensive training provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to protect your hands. By following updates, you’ll stay current with the latest hazards and protective methods.
Attend all required safety training sessions, and ask questions when you don’t understand procedures. If your workplace offers additional training, take advantage of it to expand your safety knowledge and skills.
Practice emergency procedures regularly so you can respond quickly and effectively if injuries occur. Be aware of the location of first aid supplies, emergency showers, and eyewash stations in your work area.
Keep yourself and your team up to date on new safety equipment and techniques. Technology continues to improve hand protection options, and new products may offer better protection for your specific tasks.
Take Action for Better Hand Protection
Protecting your hands in the workplace requires consistent effort and attention to detail, but the investment pays off in reduced injuries and improved job performance. To create safer work habits that will serve you throughout your career, start implementing these strategies immediately.
Are you looking to improve your hand protection at work? Head over to our website to explore our vast collection of protective gloves and more!
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