Our Hands at Work!

A few prevention tips

• Work at your own pace. The frequency of hand injuries is proportional to how quickly you work.
• Stay alert! Always watch what your hands are doing.
• Use a push stick to feed a circular saw or other power tools such as jointers and shapers.
• Know how to handle the tools and equipment you work with. Don't take shortcuts.
• Wrenches should properly fit nuts and bolts.
• Use long magnetic poles for retrieving items from places where it is dangerous for hands to go.
• Presses and other machines should be designed to keep hands away from the work area.
• Control panels should be designed, installed and guarded to reduce the risk of accidents as much as possible.
• Use different colours, shapes or sizes to distinguish safety shut-off controls from all other controls.
• Never start repair work on power tools or machinery without first checking that the power is shut off and the machine is locked out.
• If you are taking any drugs or medication, consult your doctor. Some drugs and medication impair your faculties, prevent you from thinking clearly and slow your reflexes.

Note: It is dangerous to wear rings at work. Even a ring that fits your finger perfectly poses a hazard. If the ring is forced off or breaks, it may pull the flesh from the finger or amputate it. Remember, too, that long hair, loose clothing, dangling accessories, jewellery and similar items can get caught in machinery. If these are worn, they must be tied, covered or otherwise secured to prevent them from becoming a safety hazard.

A few prevention tips

• Use gloves appropriate for the job and temperature.
• Insulate tool handles.
• Let hot surfaces cool before working on them.
• Before hands become too cold, take time to warm them up.

A few prevention tips

• Keep containers correctly labelled and be sure to always read, understand and follow the manufacturer's directions.
• Protect your skin by wearing proper gloves for the substances being handled.
• Report any problem with a substance or protective clothing.
• Wash your skin well with soap and warm water or use special cleansers, especially after direct contact with a chemical substance and before smoking or eating.
• Don't wipe your hands with chemically contaminated rags.
• Use barrier creams when there is no other way to protect your hands. Since it is important to use the right cream, you should see a specialist. The wrong cream may encourage absorption of certain substances rather than protect you. Barrier creams must be reapplied after you wash your hands.

A few prevention tips

• Always wash your hands thoroughly.
• Wear proper gloves to protect your hands.
• Use safe handling techniques.
• Always obtain first aid for every injury, no matter how minor.

A few prevention tips

• Beware of broken floors and torn or curled rugs or mats. Report these hazards for repair.
• Use handrails on stairs.
• Never jump down from a platform, scaffold, loading dock or other height.
• Use ladders properly for climbing.
• When moving heavy or bulky things, use a lifting device or ask for help.

A few prevention tips

• Keep your hands away from machines in operation.
• Position hands carefully so fingers won't get caught.
• Feed rotary or operating machines with a push stick.

A few prevention tips

• Always use the protective devices on machines.
• Be sure you can see what you are doing and don't take dangerous shortcuts to get the job done faster.
• When using bench-mounted machines, make sure they are securely fastened in place.
• Make sure that your gloves don't get caught in moving parts.

A few prevention tips

• Do not remove protective devices from machines.
• Wear proper gloves for the job.

A few prevention tips

• Keep your hands and fingers away from cutting tools.
• Pass tools to other workers handle first.
• Store tools safely when not in use and replace worn out or broken tools.
• Use grips, suction cups or magnetic pads to help carry metal or glass sheeting.
• Wear proper gloves, for example, metal mesh gloves when cutting meat.
• Don't hold the workpiece in your hand while using a hand tool. Under pressure, the tool could slip and injure you. The piece should be on a flat surface and firmly secured.

A few prevention tips

• Use adequate hand protection.
• Remove all debris and scrap materials from the work area.
• Watch for nails and other sharp objects when handling used lumber.
• Use the right tool for the job, and use it properly.
• Never use screwdrivers as levers, chisels or reamers, or to perform work for which they are not designed. Never carry screwdrivers in your pocket.
• Files should never be used without a handle because the sharp pointed tang can be driven into your hand.

Raynaud's Syndrome

Raynaud's syndrome or "white finger" is caused by the vibrations your hands and fingers are subjected to when you work with electric or pneumatic tools. The skin, muscles and other tissues cannot get needed oxygen because of damage to the blood vessels of the hand. The result is a loss of sensation and control; there may be blanching and numbness of the affected areas and you may notice a decreased sensitivity to heat, cold and pain.

All of these problems can seriously interfere with your regular work and recreational activities. If you operate a chain saw, air hammer, air chisel, jack hammer or any other vibration tool, you must be extremely careful.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome results from pinching of the median nerve that runs through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This syndrome is often found in people who work with their wrist bent or twisted, especially when using force. Assemblers, textile workers, computer keyboard users, painters and food processing workers are among those most affected.

The initial symptoms are numbness, tingling, burning, pain and loss of strength. Symptoms are often more acute at night and felt on only one side of the hand, the side of the index finger and thumb.

Tenosynovitis

Tenosynovitis (tendinitis, synovitis, bursitis, trigger finger, de Quervain's disease) is an inflammation of the tendons and tendon-muscle attachments. It is caused by overuse of the hand and arm muscles, especially during rapid, forceful and repetitive movements and excessive arm extension.

The areas of the hand where pain occurs are generally the base of the palm, the palm side of the fingers, the back of the wrist, and the side of the wrist near the palm.