Overview

This article discusses the types and causes of hand injuries and agency requirements for hand safety, as outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration/Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA/VOSH). With these requirements in mind, the article explores hand injury prevention through the use of engineering and administrative controls, as well as the proper selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Think about it!

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to lose a finger? A thumb? A hand? Both hands? Your arms and hands are the tools you need to do a variety of tasks, both job-related and personal. Without the use of these tools, many everyday tasks would be difficult or impossible to perform. Some may require extensive therapy and training to relearn. The wrists and hands are complex and extremely difficult to repair.¹ Consequently, it is very important to control or provide good protection from hazards that present a threat to fingers, hands, and arms. It only takes a second for a life-changing event to occur.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 250,000 serious injuries to fingers, hands, and wrists occur every year in private industry alone, with around 8,000 of those being amputations.² Commonwealth of Virginia agencies have averaged almost 3,000 finger, thumb, hand, wrist, and lower arm injuries per year for the past five fiscal years (2002-2006), resulting in an average annual totaled incurred cost of over $3 million over the five-year period.

On any given day, agency employees are exposed to hazards that may result in injuries ranging from a minor cut to amputation. These injuries may include:

• Cuts/lacerations, punctures


• Fractures, crushing, and amputations


• Chemical, thermal, and electrical burns


• Abrasions


• Bruises


• Skin irritations (dermatitis)


• Absorption of hazardous materials (through the skin)

The OSHA/VOSH hand protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.138, of 1910 Subpart I, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) states, “Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.”³

Paragraph 1910.132(d) (1) of the general requirements for PPE mandates that, “The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).” The standard continues under 1910.132 (d) (1) (i), “If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall select, and have each affected employee use the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment.” In sum, workplace hazard assessments must be done to identify dangers that cause hand injuries and to help determine what steps can be taken to eliminate, control, or protect against them.⁴

Engineering and Work Practice Controls

Before assuming that PPE is needed to control an identified hazard, employers should investigate possible engineering and work practice controls to remove or isolate the hazards. With engineering controls, the employer may physically change the machine or work environment to prevent exposure to hazards, such as:

• Changing the process


• Substitution of less harmful material


• Install guarding: enclosure of the process


• Install other types of barriers: isolation of the process⁵

With work practice controls, the employer changes the way the job is done. This can include such steps as:

• Establishing basic rules (e.g. never wear gloves, jewelry, or loose clothing while operating moving machinery)


• Job rotation of workers


• Personal hygiene


• Housekeeping and maintenance


• Tool and equipment selection and inspections

However, if engineering or work practice controls are not feasible or cannot eliminate or adequately control potential hazards, then employers are responsible for:

• Identifying and selecting appropriate PPE


• Training employees in the use and care of the PPE


• Enforcing the proper use of PPE


• Periodically reviewing, updating, and evaluating the effectiveness of the PPE program⁶

• Type of chemicals handled


• Nature of contact


• Duration of contact


• Area to be protected (fingers, hands, wrists, and arms)


• Grip requirements, dexterity needed (e.g. picking up small items)


• Thermal protection


• Size and comfort


• Abrasion/resistance requirements⁷

1. Work gloves
   
   
   
   • Leather - sparks, moderate heat, blows, chips, and rough objects
   
   
   • Metal mesh (aluminized) – heat (require an insert of synthetic materials)
   
   
   • Canvas (aramid fiber and other synthetic materials) – heat and cold, cut and abrasion resistant
   
   


2. Fabric and coated gloves
   
   
   
   • Cotton and other fabric - dirt, slivers, chafing, and abrasion
   
   
   • Cotton flannel coated with plastic – general purpose protection with slip resistance
   
   


3. Chemical and liquid resistant gloves
   
   
   
   • Butyl Rubber - acids, peroxide, rocket fuels, bases, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, nitro-compounds
     
     
     
     • Resist oxidation and ozone corrosion
     
     
     • Resist abrasion and remain flexible in cold
     
     
   
   
   • Natural Latex Rubber - water solutions of acid, alkalis, salts, and ketones
     
     
     
     • Resist abrasions caused by sandblasting, grinding, and polishing
     
     
     • Good tensile strength, elasticity, and temperature resistance
     
     
     • May cause allergic reactions in some
     
     
   
   
   • Neoprene - hydraulic fluids, gasoline, alcohols, organic acids, and alkalis
     
     
     
     • Better chemical and wear resistance than natural latex rubber
     
     
     • Good pliability , finger dexterity, high density and tear resistance
     
     
   
   
   • Nitrile Rubber - chlorinated solvents, oils, greases, acids, caustics, and alcohols
     
     
     
     • Provide good dexterity and sensitivity, durable to heavy use
     
     
     • 
       
   
   


4. Insulating rubber gloves - referred to under 29 CFR 1910.137, “Electrical Protective Equipment”⁸

Training

As with all PPE, the employer must train each user to know at least when and what type of gloves are necessary, as well as how to properly put them on and take them off. Make the user aware of all of the limitations of the gloves plus how to inspect and when to replace them along with the proper means of disposal. If non-disposable gloves are used, then the user must also be instructed in cleaning, maintenance, and the proper way to store them. It is also important to emphasize that gloves should never be worn while using power tools or machines, such as saws. The glove may snag and pull the user’s hand into the blade or other danger area.¹⁰

Inspection and Care of Protective Gloves

Protective gloves should be inspected before each use to make sure they will still provide the desired protection. Gloves that are punctured, torn, or otherwise damaged should be discarded and replaced. Chemical or liquid resistant gloves may become stiff or discolored, which is usually an indication of too much use and that the material may be breaking down. Things to take into account when considering reusing chemically exposed gloves are:

• The nature of the chemicals handled


• Amount of exposure


• Temperature


• How they are stored

A simple method for visually testing the integrity of chemical or liquid resistant gloves is to fill the gloves with water and tightly roll the cuff towards the fingers. This will show any pinhole leaks.¹¹

Be Alert

Many people do not take the necessary care to adequately protect hands and arms from hazards. Lack of attention and human error are responsible for most hand, finger, wrist, and lower arm injuries.¹² People generally have one dominant hand and may carelessly place the non-dominant hand in harm’s way while performing tasks. Many injuries occur to these “off-hands” when they are inadvertently placed or rested in a hazardous location.¹³ In addition to direct exposures, hazard assessments can help identify these secondary exposures and appropriate safeguards. However, even with physical safeguards in place, the best way to protect workers’ hands and arms is to maintain a high level of awareness and attention to dangers that could catastrophically alter lives.

¹ Construction Safety Association of Manitoba. “Hand Safety.” Retrieved February 16, 2007 from,
http://www.constructionsafety.ca/pdf/20-HandSafety.pdf

² Business and Legal Reports. “Handy Tips for Hand Safety.” Retrieved February 16, 2007 from,
http://safety.blr.com/display.cfm/id/98667

³ U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “OSHA standard, 29 CFR 1910.138.” Retrieved February 16, 2007 from,
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9788

⁴ U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “OSHA standard, 29 CFR 1910.132.” Retrieved February 16, 2007 from,
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9777

⁵ U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “Personal Protective Equipment.” Retrieved February 16, 2007 from,
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3151.pdf

⁶ Ibid.

⁷ Ibid.

⁸ Ibid.

⁹ Ibid.

¹⁰ Ibid.

¹¹ Ibid.

¹² Construction Safety Association of Manitoba. “Hand Safety.” Retrieved February 16, 2007 from,
http://www.constructionsafety.ca/pdf/20-HandSafety.pdf

¹³ Maintenance World. “The Safety Catalyst.” Retrieved February 16, 2007 from,
http://www.maintenanceworld.com/Articles/paterR/Safety-Catalyst.htm

References

Business and Legal Reports (n.d). Handy Tips for Hand Safety. Retrieved February 16, 2007 from,
http://safety.blr.com/display.cfm/id/98667

Construction Safety Association of Manitoba (n.d). Hand Safety. Retrieved February 16, 2007 from,
http://www.constructionsafety.ca/pdf/20-HandSafety.pdf

Maintenance World (12/2005). The Safety Catalyst. Retrieved February 16, 2007 from,
http://www.maintenanceworld.com/Articles/paterR/Safety-Catalyst.htm

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (n.d). Personal Protective Equipment. Retrieved February 16, 2007 from,
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3151.pdf

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (n.d). OSHA standard, 29 CFR 1910.132. Retrieved February 16, 2007 from,
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9777

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (n.d). “OSHA standard, 29 CFR 1910.138. Retrieved February 16, 2007 from,
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9788

Utah Safety Council (n.d). Hand Protection-PPE. Retrieved February 16, 2007 from,
http://www.utahsafetycouncil.org/OFF%20THE%20JOB/Occupational%20Safety/PPE%20hand.html

Web World Inc (n.d). Protect Your Hands. Retrieved February 16, 2007 from,
http://www.webworldinc.com/wes-con/hands.htm