Top Tips for Hand Safety:
Always Wear Gloves:
Work gloves protect against cuts, scrapes, burns, and chemical exposure. Use gloves when handling chemicals, livestock, sharp tools, or machinery. Gloves are essential; however, avoid wearing them around rotating or reciprocating machinery where they can become caught.
Use Proper Guards on Machinery:
Ensure all power transmission parts, moving components, and operation points are guarded. If guards are removed for maintenance, replace them immediately after servicing.
Avoid Using Hands for Risky Tasks:
You should never retrieve objects near saw blades, knife blades, or other sharp moving parts without proper equipment. Ensure that you are using proper tools like tapered punches or fuse removers when aligning equipment and removing fuses.
Know Potential Pinch Points:
A pinch point occurs when two objects move together, such as in metal drums or when lowering heavy loads. Be cautious and keep your hands away from these areas during operation.
Handle Sharp Tools with Care:
Tools like knives, chisels, punches, and pitchforks should be handled and stored safely to prevent accidental injuries.
Respect Temperatures:
You should never test the temperatures of gases, liquids, or solids with your hands. Reflex damage is typical with extremely hot or cold objects and can occur instantly upon exposure. Make sure you are using the proper equipment to check all temperatures.
Keep Grinders and Tools Rests Adjusted:
When storing and using grinders and tool rests, ensure they are adjusted to 0.3 cm (1/8 inch) or less to operate safely.
Remove Jewelry:
Rings and other jewelry should never be worn while operating or repairing machinery. Make sure to remove all jewelry to avoid entanglement with equipment.
Choosing the Right Gloves:
Gloves are made from various materials, including cotton, leather, rubber, and water-resistant fabrics. The right gloves for the job will depend on the specific task and hazard.
Leather Gloves are ideal for heavy-duty tasks and handling tools.
Rubber Gloves are best for chemical protection.
Cut-Resistant Gloves are suitable for working with sharp objects or bladers.
Water-Resistant Gloves are perfect for wet environments or handling liquids.
The Big Picture of Hand Safety:
Taking a few extra steps to protect your hands can prevent painful injuries and costly mistakes. Safety is in the details, whether it’s wearing gloves, avoiding risky shortcuts, or using guards on machinery. Protect your hands, and they’ll continue to serve you well through every task on the farm. Your hands are your livelihood – protect them today for a safer, more productive tomorrow!
Want to learn more about hand protection? Check out these resources:
About Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health
Founded in 2008 in the community of Seaforth, ON, Gateway CERH is a not-for-profit rural health research organization run by a community-based volunteer board of directors. Gateway CERH's main mission is to better the health and quality of life of rural residents through research, education and communication. Learn more on the Gateway CERH website at: https://www.gatewayruralhealth.ca/ and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube
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