Hand and Finger Injury Prevention

Purpose

Jobs in the oil and gas industry are some of the most hazardous in the world. In addition to fire and explosion risks, there are certain risks – such as injuries to hands and fingers – that workers face on a regular basis.

Hand and finger injuries consistently trend in the oil and gas industry. Historically, hand and finger injuries make up nearly 50 percent of incidents in the oil and gas industry and at some facilities, that number is closer to 80 percent of all recordable incidents.

Threats to the hands include caught between objects and struck by, chemicals, vibration, heat, cuts, bruises, breaks, burns, punctures, amputations, cold and infectious or biological agents. Hands and fingers have more nerve endings per square centimeter that any part of the human body and more pain receptors than any part of our bodies. As a result, injuries are more painful than similar injuries to other parts of the body.

Regulations Covering Hand and Finger Safety Guidelines

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 (d) (I)
OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart I, Tools – Hand and Power
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.212, Machine Guarding Requirements
OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I, Personal Protective Equipment

Target Audience

All employees using hand and power tools.

Course Content

Hand and Finger Injury

• Physiology of the hand, wrist and fingers.
• Identify the primary types of hand and finger injuries in the workplace
• Identify the main hazards for mechanical and hand tool accidents
• Describe safe practices for working around equipment
• Describe effective engineering and administrative controls to increase hand and finger safety
• Recognize the importance of PPE
• Identify the purpose and correct use of machine guards
• Selecting the best gloves for the job.