Hand tools and hand hazards ppt

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Hand Tools & Hands

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Hazard Recognitionwww.discountppe.comHand Tools & Hands

How miserable we would be without them!

Have you stopped to consider the importance of your

hands?



Statistics shows that 30-35% of

injuries are hand related

Most of our activities are carried

out using our hands

Most people are right handed but

injuries occur evenly to both

hands

Hands can be an “improper tool”

without correct PPE and risk

analysis

Statistics show that hands are the part of the

body most exposed to injuries



Using The Wrong Hand Tool

• A test hole was drilled into a reinforced concrete slab.

• The hand drill bit got stuck within the first 30 cm of concrete.

• After unsuccessful trials to remove the drill stem with a ring

type spanner, a pipe was added to the handle of the spanner

in order to increase the torque.

• Suddenly the handle of the spanner broke, cutting the glove

and the worker’s left hand between the first two fingers (five

stitches needed: RWI).

• Cause

• Inappropriate tool used to retrieve the drill stem

• Reinforced concrete is a major obstacle for the penetration of

the hand drill bit, especially due to the metal rods of the

reinforcements.



• A couple of guys are pushing a

forklift having problems moving on

gravel

• The driver opens the door to better see

the surface in front of the forklift

• The forklift suddenly jumps forward,

and the left hand of one of the guys

slides between the door and the cab

• The sudden movement also causes the

cab door to closes trapping the

worker’s finger

Hand Positioning

• Result is a broken finger



Improper positioning of hands using tools

• While conducting maintenance work

on an out of service exchanger using a

torque gun, two fitters were removing

stud bolts from it's end cover.

• When nearing completion of the task,

one of the fitter’s fingers was pinched

against the exchanger shell.

• Due to the force of the torque gun

(approximately 4 bar), the tip of the

finger was amputated.



• Maintain hands and fingers in defensive position !

• Recognize potential pinch-points !

Hand Positioning

PINCH POINT

Main Lessons Learned



Reconstruction

• Two workers were adjusting the spring in

the balance system of an overhead door.

Hand Tools & Hands

Beware Of Compressed Energy!

• There were two bolts securing the spring

retainer. The worker assumed that one of

the bolts was secured in the groove of the

shaft so that it was safe to loosen the

bolts.

• One worker, standing on a ladder, planned

to adjust the spring force by moving the

spring retainer in the axial direction.

• When unscrewing the second bolt the

spring retainer started spinning.

• One of the retaining bolts struck the right

middle finger of the worker thereby cutting

the middle finger joint.



Beware Of Compressed Energy!


• Cause

• Uncontrolled release of the spring’s

tension.

• Working on a spring actuated balance

system without fully understanding the

operating principle.

• Be cautious for systems with internal energy; improve awareness

through refresher training

• Working on spring balance systems can only be done by workers

trained for the task

• Perform a Job Safety Analysis/Task Risk Analysis or develop

dedicated procedures before starting specialized jobs like this.



Reconstruction

Hand Tools & Hands

Using Hand Tool Wrongly

• Operator was manually lining-up flows for steaming the

feed/fractionation section of a manufacturing unit.

• When he started opening the valve with a valve wrench, he pinched his

third finger of left hand between the wrench and a nearby work platform.

• He required medical attention due to the intense pain in the finger.

• Further exams confirmed that he had suffered a fracture at the tip of his

third finger.



Reconstruction

Hand Tools & Hands

Using Hand Tools/Hands Wrongly


• Improve valve ergonomics – rearrange valve

positions/height of wheels or types if needed

• Assess position of your hands – look for potential pinch-

points

• Don’t misuse your hands as inappropriate tools, don’t put

them in the line of fire, assure adequate hand space and

use hand protection



Reconstruction

Hand Tools & Hands

• Electrical technician (contractor) cut

his left hand (upper side) while he was

cutting in the insulation of an electrical

cable.

• The cable was 24 years old and

therefore the insulation was very rigid.

• During cutting the insulation the knife

slipped and cut the top side of the

worker's hand.

• Direct Cause:

• Wrong working method

• Cutting towards the body

• Using the wrong tools

Using Hand Tools Wrongly & No Protection



Reconstruction

Hand Tools & Hands

• Root Cause: Risk analysis LTA.

Using Hand Tools Wrongly & No Protection

• Preventive measures and defensive working

method where not recognized.

• Third Party Company had the right tools but did

not enforce the use.

– A safe cutting tool

– Protective hand ware

– Knowledge of the risk



Reconstruction

Hand Tools & Hands

Exhibit the right behavior:

Actions to Avoid Hand Injuries

• Use your hands only for activities for which

your hands are suitable tools!

You rely on your hands;

They rely on your attention to

working safely.

• Always think about the unforeseen, are you able to let

go or retrieve your hands if needed?

• Protect your hands as much as possible, a plant in the UK has a

policy that everybody wears gloves when they are out in the plant.

It’s obvious that for some activities it’s more difficult (e.g. Small

instrumentation, electrical wires)

• Don’t use your hands as levers or put your hands were they can be

squeezed/injured like at one of our plants where a person was trying

to maneuver a tankroof on top of the tank and put his hand in

between the roof and the tank. This is POP (Poor Operational

Practice)!




Hand Tools & Hands

Choose the right PPE:



working safely.

• There are many different types of gloves – protect yourself

with gloves suitable for the particular job being performed

• When you start any new activity (different tool, temperature,

product) re-assess glove suitability

• Any doubts, ask the Safety Advisor or Industrial Hygienist




Hand Tools & Hands

Check adequacy of your hand tools before starting work:

• Were they designed to perform this task?

• Are they strong enough?

• Are they reliable, in good condition, is the tag in date?

• If motor driven, are there any unusual noises, vibrations?



working safely.




Hand Tools & Hands

Adopting defensive work behavior by:

• Assuring that you can always see your hands while working

– Are you sure that nearby equipment (especially moving equipment

and/or tools) can’t become a “hand trap”?

– Have you positioned yourself and your hands out of the “line of fire”?

– Are you ensuring that you don’t apply excessive force?



working safely.

• Using Last Minute Risk Assessment before starting




Hand Tools & Hands

Intervene if you see anything wrong:

• Remember your training: what are the risks you face and how do

you prevent them from hurting your colleagues. Dare To Care!!!



working safely.



Control Your Hand Tools

Hand Tools & Hands

• Use intrinsically safe tools in which the knife

blade is hidden in an enclosure such that your

hands cannot be exposed to it

• Carry and store tools with sharp points or

edges down and away from the body

whenever possible. Use protective covers

Sharp Tools:



working safely.

• Do not hold work object in hand when using

sharp tool

• When using a knife, or other sharp tool, push

away from your hands and body




Hand Tools & Hands

Tool Handling:

• Do not throw tools

• Keep them out of aisles and walkways

• Secure your tools so they can’t fall



working safely.

Focus on hands is what

we expect but don’t forget

to protect the other parts

of your body as well.




Hand Tools & Hands

Use the right tool in the right way:

• Never hammer with any tool except a

hammer (and no rubber handles which can

become loose!)

• When pulling on spanner/wrench, anticipate

body movement backwards - consider using

flogging spanner and mallet

• In use, always hold a spanner/wrench such

that your hands will not strike against objects

if the wrench slips or the bolt loosens

• When tightening with a screwdriver, keep

your free hand away from the screw



working safely.



NO HAND INJURIES!

Hand Tools & Hands

Select the right

tool

Check hand

tools reliability

Use the right tool

the right way

Perform a last

minute risk

assessment

Be cautious near

sharp tools

Adopt defensive

behavior

SUMMARIZING...

Don’t misuse

your hands as

inappropriate

tools

Put your hand in

safe places


Education

Hand tools and hand hazards ppt