When protecting workers’ hands, a variety of site requirements must be considered.

The latest data report from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that there are 439,000 cases of hand and finger disability in the United States each year, resulting in 121,800 hours of labor loss. For people seeking treatment, the average cost of a hand injury claim is $17,787. In these statistics, 70% of injuries occur when the user is not wearing any hand protection at all.

Even with these overwhelming statistics highlighting the necessary hand protection and the severity of these injuries, there is still confusion about choosing the correct hand hazard protection measures. It must be understood that not all hand protections are the same. With the continuous development of hand protection standards and technological development, it is difficult for workers to determine which type of gloves they should use for their applications. They often question which solution to use. This confusion can cause the user to completely abandon the frustration of using the hand protection device. According to OSHA, 30% of workers wear a pair of gloves that do not match the task when they go to work. In order to prevent hand injuries, users must wear PPE suitable for their specific application.

Understanding the differences between each type of hand protection can be difficult, even for security professionals. Hand protection begins with senior management recognizing that proper safety is essential and ensuring a positive attitude towards PPE. When using anti-cutting, impact-resistant or back-of-hand protection as the forefront to protect workers' hands, a variety of site requirements must be considered. Although hand injuries are most common on construction sites, many can be prevented if workers are properly protected.

The consequences of a lacerated hand are usually worse than the initial injury itself. According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, two-fifths of workplace hand injuries are caused by cuts or stab wounds, causing more than 60,000 injuries each year, with a median of 6 days being unable to work. For many workers, this may result in loss of income and even reduced capacity after returning. Fortunately, PPE is provided in the form of cut-resistant gloves to help protect workers when using sharp materials and tools.

This article was originally published in the November/December 2021 Occupational Health and Safety Journal.

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