Hand Safety
10 Rules to Preserve 10 Fingers
YOURSAFETY@IRP - ToolBox Discussion
1.
1 Beware of pinch points and moving parts: Train yourself
to recognise pinch points and avoid placing your hands Your hands are your livelihood
and fingers in such hazardous spots – look for warning Take extra care to protect them!
signs. When using a cutting tool/implement, keep your
free hand away from the line of the cut.
9.
9 If the work being performed requires gloves, you
2.
2 Expect the unexpected: When using wrenches and other MUST use them: Gloves offer protection from sharp
hand tools, with which you expect resistance, anticipate objects, wood and metal splinters, acids, electrical burns,
that the tool might slip or the object to which pressure is chemicals, and many other sources of injury. Check that
being applied may suddenly give way. the protection rating of your gloves is appropriate for the
3.
3 Inspect tools before use: Prior to each use, check to task you are performing.
ensure they are in good condition and safe to use, i.e. Are The Protective Rating is located on the back of the glove.
your drill bits sharp, are all hand tools free of damage, well Performances in these areas are generally measured on a
maintained & in good working order? scale of 1 to 4 for abrasion, tear & puncture, and 1 to 5 for
4.
4 Do not work on moving equipment: Working on moving cut, using standard testing methods. Generally speaking,
equipment presents a real threat to hands and fingers. Be the higher the rating, the better the glove performs.
mindful of equipment that starts automatically. Never work
on such equipment without first eliminating the possibility
of automatic start-up. De-energise electrical equipment
prior to working on it. Turn off the isolation switch and use
a tag out/lock out system to isolate the equipment before
work is started.
5.
5 Replace machine guards following repairs that require
their removal: The presence of machine guards is an
important factor in keeping hands and fingers out of
dangerous areas. Never use any machine without the Protective Rating (AS/NZS 2161.3:2005)
guarding in place and never remove or modify guarding
unless you are authorised to do so. 10.
10 Hands and fingers often get injured as result of poor
manual handling practices: Typical examples include
6.
6 Use the right tool for the job: Only use tools and equipment when loads are unstable, shift or fall resulting in crushed
for the task they were designed to perform
fingers or when loads are too heavy. The most important
7.
7 Never modify or adjust equipment: Unless you are step is to plan the activity before you start doing it.
qualified to do so and can complete to manufacturers
Wrist injuries can occur when you over stress the muscles
specifications.
by using the wrist in the wrong position. Always try to keep
8.
8 Avoid touching lines or equipment that is hot: Every hot the wrist in a neutral position or power position as shown
line or hot piece of equipment is a potential source of a below.
painful injury to any hand or finger that comes in contact
with it.
Talk to your site supervisor and your IRP consultant if you have any questions
about Hand Safety or your sites safety procedures – Tel. 9477 7999
Right Person | Right Job | Right Time
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