Hand tools

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Workers, do you use the edge of the palm of your hand to grind, push or twist hard objects? If you do this often, you’re at risk of hypothenar hammer syndrome – a condition caused when blood flow to the fingers is reduced.

If you use hammers on the job, are you using them safely? If not, serious injuries can occur.

Circular saws are powerful hand tools that should be operated only by trained and qualified workers.

Cuts and lacerations are common workplace injuries. In fact, about 30% of all workplace injuries involve cuts or lacerations, and approximately 70% of those are to the hands or fingers, according to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

Powered hand drills can save workers a lot of time on the job, but caution is called for to avoid serious injuries.

If you’re not giving much thought to how you choose hand tools, you should. That’s the message the Center for Construction Research and Training (also known as CPWR), via its choosehandsafety.org website, wants you to keep in mind.

According to the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, hammers are “widely used and often abused.” So, what can workers do to avoid injuries?

Supervisors are responsible for the safety and health of their employees. This holds true when ensuring employees are using tools safely.

Sanding machines can be dangerous if not properly handled. To help stay safe, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety advises workers to read the owner’s manual of the sander and thoroughly understand how to use it.

Tingling, numbness or pain experienced when operating vibrating tools should not be considered part of the job.