HAND SAFE PRESENTATION

April 2010

Hand Safe Starts Here !

YOUR HANDS ARE THE BEST TOOLS YOU WILL EVER HAVE!
LOOK AFTER THEM !
2

Skin + Bones + Muscles + Tendons + Nerves = Hands

2 IRREPLACEABLE TOOLS PROVIDING dexterity and strength and sensitivity

JUST IMAGINE NOT HAVING THE USE OF ONE

Monthly Company Statistics

Over 35% of Injuries were Hand Related
Back Other
5 1 4 Leg

Injuries

Eye Injuries

10

Trips/Falls

16

Hands

Tools & Gloves

USE THE RIGHT TOOLS AND THE RIGHT GLOVES - BOTH IN THE RIGHT CONDITION

AND .... THINK DEFENSIVELY BEHAVE DEFENSIVELY

Watch both hands !

MOST PEOPLE ARE RIGHT HANDED BUT YET THE SAME NUMBER OF INJURIES OCCUR TO THE LEFT HAND AS THE RIGHT So ... WATCH WHERE BOTH YOUR HANDS ARE WHEN WORKING Do not put your hands / fingers where you cannot see them Do not forget about your other hand when using a tool or carrying

Watch that other Hand !

Contractor was preparing a piece of pipe for welding - he held the pipe in his right hand the grinder moved forwards and he suffered a cut between his thumb and forefinger and a restricted work injury

- Keep your other hand in a defensive position

- Do not hold the work object when using a grinder or sharp tool - use a clamp

Do not Use Defective Tools !

While removing a gusset, the guard of the grinder loosened and locked the machine against the valve. This caused the grinder to twist and the disc cut the back of the contractors hand

- Only use tools in the RIGHT condition - As soon as a tool becomes defective stop using it

Bolting / De-bolting Flanges

Finger pinching injuries are common when working on flanges ADOPT DEFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR
Always grip a spanner/wrench, so that the hands
will not strike adjacent objects when the bolt loosens Whenever possible pull spanners/wrenches towards you rather than pushing Do not put fingers between flanges or through flange holes Use small section of rope tied to wrench handle on nut on opposite side of flogging spanner/impact gun

Keep Fingers out of Pinch Points

Two contractors were debolting a control valve. Contractor was holding flogging spanner to nut while colleague was using mallet on spanner. The spanner turned trapping the little finger against the valve body

Use a small rope to hold flogging spanner in place - adopt defensive behaviour by not placing fingers in potential pinch points!

Watch that other Hand !

Contractor was de-bolting flange holding flogging spanner with left hand and striking spanner with mallet. The mallet glanced off spanner and hit the little finger of his left hand. Contributing factor was the impact surfaces of the spanner were worn and rounded.

- Keep other hand in defensive position - Use rope on spanner - Only use flogging spanners in good condition

Rigging / Handling Equipment

Hand crushing injuries are common when rigging and handling equipment ADOPT DEFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR
Do not position your hand so it can be caught between the load and an adjacent object when the load is initially lifted and when guiding the load Do not slow down swinging loads by hand Anticipate sideways movement / tilting when load is lifted Use a tool to guide the cable or line onto a winching drum of a hoist. Never use your hands

Anticipate Movement

Two contractors were removing a flangeless control valve - the crane pulley block was not directly over the valve - when there was one bolt left the valve tilted pinching the middle finger of one contractor between the valve body and the remaining bolt

Anticipate movement - adopt defensive behaviour by not placing fingers in potential pinch points

Rigging / Handling Equipment

Technician crushed right finger after crane lifted pump assembly from casing and load moved laterally trapping hand against motor shaft coupling flange.

Do not position your hand so it can be caught between the load and an adjacent object when the load is initially lifted and when guiding the load

Unanticipated Stored Energy

Hand injuries can occur when least expected from the release of Stored Energy
I just need to remove that little pin and..

ADOPT DEFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR WHEN....

Opening and dismantling mechanical devices containing springs, e.g., safety valves, control valves, spring loaded mechanical seals / accumulators, etc. Cutting piping Moving piping from spring hangers Working on seized rotating equipment Hammering in wedges or shims

Surprise

theres a spring!!

Anticipate Stored Energy

Contractor suffered a time losing injury when working on a spring tensioner on a rolling door. After unscrewing second bolt the spring started rotating striking and cutting middle finger.

- Know the internals of devices before dismantling - Anticipate movement of coiled / energised springs - Maintain hands and fingers in defensive position

Tips on avoiding Hand / Finger Injuries

OTHER DEFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR TIPS
Avoid placing fingers in ends of piping or tubular material. Use cut-resistant gloves when handling sheet metal. When rolling a drum, push with hands against side - do not grasp the ends. Avoid putting hands / fingers in potential pinch points on vehicle cab doors - Keep hands inside vehicle when moving.

Tips on avoiding Hand / Finger Injuries

OTHER DEFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR TIPS
When using a knife, or other sharp tool, push away from your hands and body. Keep both hands behind the blade. When tightening a screw with a screwdriver, avoid putting the free hand near the screw. Keep both hands behind the screwdriver. Use a brush or special tool to remove debris from a lathe or rotating / moving machine. Never use your hands.

Handling Piping

Driver was attempting to move a 12 metre long section of 6 inch pipe on the ground . His colleague was also moving the pipe at the other end. The piping moved and pinched his little finger.

- Be aware of unexpected movement when working with another colleague to move objects - Always wear gloves when handling pipe - Maintain hands and fingers in defensive position

Working around Vehicles

Crane driver crushed thumb between cab and door when exiting cab

Fork lift driver pinched his little finger between pin, used to attach trailer, and vehicle body

- Recognise vehicle potential pinch-points - Maintain hands and fingers in defensive position

Hand Safe needs your input !

Remember
USE THE RIGHT TOOLS & THE RIGHT GLOVES - BOTH IN THE RIGHT CONDITION

THINK DEFENSIVELY BEHAVE DEFENSIVELY

Hand Safe is better for all of us !

GO BACK HOME WITH BOTH YOUR HANDS AND ALL YOUR THUMBS AND FINGERS

NOT LIKE THIS POOR GUY !