10 ways to protect your hands
09 Jan 2025
- Take frequent breaks from repetitive activities and stretch your hands and fingers.
- Use padded grips on vibrating machinery handles.
- Wear appropriate gloves for the job or exposure. Don’t wear loose fitting gloves when working near rotating machinery.
- Remove rings and wrist jewellery when working around machinery and other construction works.
- Beware of pinch points and tools with rotating parts such as hand drills and grinders, and wherever fingers and hands could be crushed.
- Make sure all safety guards are in place when using power tools and machinery.
- Make sure proper lockout-tagout is followed with machinery de-energised at the power source before attempting any repairs or adjustments.
- Always use knives and cutters with care.
- Help prevent infection by immediately and thoroughly cleaning cuts and abrasions to your hands, then ensure all incidents are reported.
- Seek medical attention immediately for severe cuts or puncture wounds to the hand. Have your tetanus shot updated every ten years or sooner.