Hand injuries are one most common type of injuries in Manitoba, which accounted for 6,513 of the injuries reported, according to Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba. Our hands are very valuable tools used every day to complete a variety of different tasks… from cleaning, fixing, and so much more. This also makes our hands very vulnerable, which is why it’s important to do everything we can to protect them.
The most common type of hand injury is lacerations, mostly caused by sharp objects and tools. It’s important to figure out the right type of PPE (personal protective equipment) needed to complete a task safely, as there are many different types of protection used for different situations. Your employer is responsible for providing workers with all their personal protective equipment. Other common types of hand injuries include:
- Cuts, scrapes, bruises,
- Burns,
- breaks/fractures,
- sprain and strains,
- amputation.
Depending on the type of work you’re doing, there are many different things we can do to protect our hands daily in the workplace. Below is a list of safe work practices used to protect our hands:
- Making sure there are safeguards on equipment to prevent hands from getting crushed, pinched, or lacerated.
- Using push sticks to push material through machines instead of using your hands.
- Wearing the right personal protective equipment
- Getting the proper training to complete tasks safely
- Taking off all jewelry to prevent getting caught on objects/machines.
It’s important to prioritize hand safety in the workplace and take proactive measures to protect them. Here are some tips and considerations.
Awareness and Training: Educate employees about potential hazards in the workplace and provide training on safe work practices.
Regular Maintenace of Tools and Equipment: Ensure that all machinery and tools are well-maintained and regularly inspected for defects or anything else that could pose a risk to hand safety.
Proper Ergonomics: Design workstations and tasks to minimize repetitive motions, which can lead to sprains and injury overtime. Ensure all tools are updated and ergonomically friendly.
Use of Gloves: Depending on the task, wearing the right type of glove will add additional protection to your hands against burns, lacerations, cuts, chemicals, and other potential hazards.
First Aid: Have a first aid kit readily available in the workplace and ensure employees are trained in basic first aid procedures.
Emergency Response Plan: Ensure that all employees are adequately trained in the emergency response plan to allow them to respond quickly and adequately to any emergency that may come up.By Implementing and following these safe work practices, employers can significantly reduce hand injuries in the workplace and ensure that employees can perform their duties safely and effectively.
What should we do when we injury our hands?
It’s important to get medical attention right away if required. Report your injury to your employer so that it can be documented in case your injury worsens over time. Ensure preventive measures are taken to prevent future injuries from happening.
Our hands are a key part to our everyday lives, so it’s important to do everything we can to protect them!
