Toolbox talk, Hazards, about 6 minutes
Hand safety
Date
Site or job
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Why this one
Hands are in the work all day, so hands get hurt a lot. A cut or crush can keep a worker off the job for a long time. Most hand injuries trace back to the wrong tool, the wrong glove or a hand in the wrong place.
Say this
- 1.Know where your hands are. Before you grip, push or pull, look at what could move or close.
- 2.Pick the glove for the hazard. Cut, heat, chemical and grip needs are different, so check the label.
- 3.Use the right tool. Don't use a screwdriver as a pry bar or hold small parts by hand.
- 4.Keep guards on. Don't reach past them, and don't clear a jam on a machine that's still energized.
- 5.Use a push stick, clamp or jig to hold the work instead of your hand.
- 6.Watch for hot surfaces, sharp edges and burrs. Deburr or cover them if you can.
- 7.Report every cut, even a small one. Clean and cover it, and get it looked at.
Ask the crew
- – What's the closest call you've had with your hands on this kind of job?
- – Which glove do you trust for which task, and which tasks need no glove at all?
- – What tool on this job is the one people misuse most?
Watch for today
- Hands near blades, belts, rollers or anything that can move.
- Worn, wet or wrong-type gloves for the task.
- Damaged tools: mushroomed chisels, loose hammer heads, dull blades.
Close with: Know where your hands are, every time.
Notes and questions raised
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A starting point. Adapt it to your job, your procedures and the rules that apply to you. portalbaseai.com/toolbox-talks