Get a Grip on Safety

We take our hands for granted—until they cause us pain or we suffer a catastrophic injury. The loss of one finger can be debilitating, from losing the ability to do certain tasks, to suffering phantom pains, to experiencing strains on other muscle groups that are now moving in an unnatural way to get the job done. 

10 Most Common Hand Injuries

1. Abrasions — Common ones include scrapes, scratches, and embedded debris from scraping your skin over a rough surface.
2. Burns — From hot appliances in the kitchen to torches, welders, and more, every workplace has heat hazards.
3. Chemical burns — From cleaning products in care homes to solvents on job sites, chemical hazards are everywhere.
4. Cold injuries — Frostbite when working outside in the cold or handling cold inventory in a warehouse or freezer can cause permanent damage and even loss of digits. 
5. Crushing — If it moves and has some weight or momentum, it can crush your hands. This includes doors, presses, and dropped materials.
6. Cuts — From paper cuts to sliced hands due to improperly handled box cutters, cuts are one of the most common injuries.
7. Infection — This is particularly common in healthcare but can be a risk in any workplace as germs can get into even the smallest of cuts.
8. Repetitive strain — These types of injuries are common for those working in administration, construction, healthcare, manufacturing, or retail.
9. Severed fingers — Saws, food processing equipment, and rotating machinery are all dangerous to your digits. 
10. Vibration — If you work in construction and use power tools, you are at risk of vibration-induced injuries that cause nerve damage, reduced blood flow, carpal tunnel, joint pain, and more.

7 Tips to Prevent Hand Injuries

1. Be mindful of where you put your hands, and avoid putting them in dangerous areas, including bound-up machinery that is turned off. It may still be full of potential energy, and once you remove the jam, you may also lose your fingers or hand.
2. Ensure all machine guards are used and installed properly.
3. Keep your tools in tip-top shape. You are more likely to suffer injury from a dull knife than a sharp one.
4. Ensure that hand grips are in good condition to prevent slips, heat or cold injuries, or vibration injuries.
5. Use the right tool for the job and take your time. Don’t rush through a task without the right tool by trying to use your hands as a multitool. 
6. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly to get rid of germs, dirt, and irritants.
7. Wear proper personal protective equipment. Whether you are welding, handling sharp objects, working with chemicals, handling merchandise, or providing personal care, you need to wear the right gloves for the job. Get a new pair when you notice wear and tear. Finding the right gloves may require experimenting with different sizes or brands to find one that fits well, provides the right protection, and is comfortable. 

Sources: canada.ca, ccohs.ca, ohscanada.com, worksafebc.com

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