Page 12 - OHS, Nov/Dec 2023

PPE: HAND PROTECTION Getting a Firm Grasp on Hand Protection Getting the right hand PPE for construction work goes far deeper than ‘just wear gloves.’ BY RANDY DEVAUL, MA, NREMT Ask someone in the construction industry for the best way to protect hands from construction hazards, and you’ll hear a common but insufficient response: “Just wear gloves.” It’s flippant and incomplete, but unfortunately, that’s where conversations usually stop. There isn’t enough thought given to the types of construction tasks being performed or hazards being encountered when se- lecting gloves, and generic options are often the choice. This is an unfortunate attitude, given that hand injuries account for over 30 percent of all reported injuries across various industries, and 75 percent of these injuries result in partial or total disability. This costs employers as well. Costs of hand injuries in con- struction1 can escalate quickly. The average direct cost of a lac- eration is $10,000; if sutures are needed, add $2,000 plus indirect costs, such as lost time from work. A severed tendon can cost $70,000. A fracture with loss of function2 can exceed $100,000. Don’t underestimate the additional costs that come with in- juries, such as the employee’s recovery, possible loss of digit or extremity function, loss of income, and increased personal and family costs. These losses carry over to the employer with the loss of experience, production, and profits. Employers can also expe- rience increased regulatory inspections, fines and penalties, and potential civil and/or criminal lawsuits. Hand injuries are preventable. According to an OSHA study3, more than 70 percent of hand injuries would’ve been prevented if proper PPE had been used. That said, an employer cannot sim- ply apply “any port in a storm” logic to PPE. They must conduct an effective risk assessment to identify the real hazards and truly effective protective or preventive measures and develop a safety mindset4. No one PPE item works to protect against every hazard. A heavy construction employer faces different hand hazards than a residential construction company. Without a risk assessment5 that matches protection level to the hazard, risk exposures can be missed and employees can be endangered. Common Construction Hand Hazards Here are common hand hazards found in the construction in- dustries you can find via conducting an effective risk assessment: ■ Cuts, punctures, or lacerations from sharp objects or tools. ■ Abrasion, crushing, or bruising from impacts and blows. ■ Chemical hazards from acids, ■ Wet from weather or cleaning that causes loss of grip, poor dexterity, and finger cramping. ■ Penetrating liquids soaking through the wrong type of gloves, causing rash, chemical absorption, or cold stress. ■ Penetrating or puncturing sharps of metal, nails, edges, corners, or wood or metal splinters. ■ Handling masonry that damages gloves and cuts skin. ■ Handling or exposure to hot material, such as tar, steam, welding6, or hot surfaces ■ Changing tasks, such as operating equipment to loading materials to moving sharp-edged items without changing gloves. Selecting Gloves Suited for Different Hazards It’s important to pair the right glove with the appropriate hazard. Common glove materials and their uses include7: ■ Cotton or fabric. Thin, breathable layer for keeping hands clean or a liner to provide warmth under an external glove. ■ Coated fabric. Limited protection from alkaline exposures with concrete or chemical resistance for short exposures ■ Latex or Nitrile. Protects from oils, solvents, or biohazards. ■ Leather. Moderate heat protection, durable, not intended for wet or chemical conditions ■ Kevlar® or aramids. Heat resistance and cut resistance ■ Impact- and vibration-resistant. For use with pneumatic or vibrating tools, grinding, mechanical work ■ Chemical and liquid-resistant. A variety of coatings for specific chemical or liquid applications ■ Cut- and puncture-resistant. Different materials provide different levels of protection, including layers of Kevlar, stainless steel weaves, and coatings that reinforce the resistance layers. ■ High-visibility. Needed when seeing people’s fingers and hands is critical, such as crane operation and pipefitting. In addition to the material, proper fit is important, along with additional needs for dexterity, grip and durability. Here are some strategies to help you find the right glove on your first attempt: 1. Relying on the expertise and experience of your distributor can introduce you to new features that support your needs. 2. Discussing the task and potential exposures with your PPE manufacturer helps them offer options tailored to the hazards. 3. Considering manufacturer programs that provide samples for trial, site assessments, and detailed reports with PPE recom- mendations. The right vendor will help you assess your chal- lenges or opportunities for improvement and try solutions based on your needs at no cost to you. You don’t need to be a research professional when you engage with people already aware and knowledgeable of your PPE needs. Randy DeVaul is an experienced safety professional providing safety support to employers virtually and onsite. As a safety writer, DeVaul has been published across the globe. He currently writes on behalf of Mechanix Wear, a global PPE manufacturer. solvents, etc., causing burns. ■ Cold stress from outdoor work or in extreme temperatures. ■ Skin absorption of harmful substances causing burns. ■ Thermal burns from extreme temperatures. Also, changing conditions create changing unforeseen hazards that can cause an injury: REFERENCES 1. tinyurl.com/mv9mvtc5 2. tinyurl.com/44vbwcu4 3. tinyurl.com/33fxjz8a 4. tinyurl.com/f4wutxk3 5. tinyurl.com/27f6v2n6 6. tinyurl.com/2rnbtak7 7. tinyurl.com/2zsdzpy8 12 Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 www.ohsonline.com