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title: Hand Protection Basics
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# Hand Protection Basics

- **Some tasks expose your workers’ hands to danger. These hazards may include:** 
    - Sharp objects or equipment parts (*glass, edges of metal parts in process; knives, shears*)
    - Abrasive objects or equipment parts (*goods in process; sanders*)
    - Pointed objects that can penetrate skin (*awls, icepicks, drill bits*)
    - Hot objects or cold objects (*frozen food, welding equipment*)
    - Chemicals that can be absorbed by skin & irritate it (*solvents, dish soap, detergents*)
    - Corrosive/caustic chemicals (*battery acid, drain cleaner, solvents*)
    - Infectious agents (*human or animal blood, body fluids, or wastes*)
    - Vibrating or impact tools that subject hands to stress

- **Safety equipment companies can supply protective gloves. Prior to purchasing, you should strive to eliminate or minimize hazards. Actions you can take include:** 
    - Arrange equipment to keep hands from danger areas (*e.g. automation to place stock*)
    - Provide tongs to place stock in danger areas (*e.g. near blades or punches*) Install guards that keep fingers out of danger area but allow stock to be placed Install two-handed “start” control buttons which must be pressed simultaneously in order to force workers to keep hands out of danger areas
    - Pack hot or cold items in insulated containers
    - Obtain vibrating or impact tools that absorb energy instead of transmitting it to hands Use milder soaps, detergents, & solvents
    - Develop, implement, & enforce safety rules (*e.g. keeping fingers away from moving parts*) Require workers to wash hands after handling chemicals

- **When selecting protective gloves, you should:** 
    - Identify hazards to your workers’ hands, remembering their hands may be exposed to more than 1 hazard (*e.g. metal workers holding sharp parts & cutting oils; meat cutters holding cold meat & sharp knives*)
    - Select gloves that protect against applicable hazards
    - Select gloves that fit properly & comfortably (*ill-fit & discomfort lead workers to avoid wearing & may cause gloves to become caught in danger areas; reduced dexterity may lead to dropping heavy or sharp objects on feet or other body parts*)

- **After you have selected gloves, you should:** 
    - Inform workers about the hazards to their hands & their need to wear gloves
    - Inform workers about the possible need to use different glove types for different hazards *(e.g. insulated glove to carry meat from freezer, metal mesh glove to protect hand when cutting meat)*
    - Inform workers about proper use, care, & maintenance of gloves
    - Require workers to remove gloves & wash hands thoroughly to prevent contaminating co-workers

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