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Hand injuries happen every seven seconds, and this preventable problem accounts for more than 23 percent of all work-related injuries. Employees face potential injury when not provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) and training, working in low lighting, or working with defective or dangerous machinery. This issue impacts more than 1 million workers annually and is the second leading cause of workplace absences. Hand injuries are costly as hirelings may be eligible for worker's compensation; the average settlement varies between $38,000 and $92,000. Depending on the severity of the injury and whether it is permanent or life-impacting, the settlement amount can be upward of $630,000. Hand injuries cost companies:
Hand injuries also raise the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's recordable incident rate, which measures a company's safety performance. Blunt trauma and sharp object injuries are the most common culprits. OSHA mandates employers to require employees to wear gloves when exposed to hazards like harmful substances or at risk of lacerations and cuts. Employees must also wear PPE when at risk of thermal or chemical burns or exposure to extreme temperatures. Hand injuries are the number one preventable accident across industries, and gloves are critical PPE. Wearing gloves allows workers to achieve the highest productivity safely. Who Faces the Greatest Risk of Hand Injury?
What Types of Injuries Do Workers Risk Incurring?
How Do Safety Gloves Protect Workers from Injury?Gloves are a type of PPE that protects workers from injuries. Think of gloves as a second skin. They don't sacrifice agility but allow workers to use chemicals, tools, and materials that would otherwise incur injury. It's most important to wear PPE for the job. Work gloves protect workers from hazards, including:
When Should Gloves Be Used?Only some work situations require gloves, which may increase workers' risk of injury if used under the wrong circumstances. Although some jobs could be accomplished without using PPE, it's best practice to follow company guidelines and wear the proper gloves anyway. Wear gloves when working in cold temperatures, with hot items, metals, chemicals, glass, wood, vibrating tools, biohazards, welding, and grinders. When Should Gloves Be Avoided?Don't wear gloves when working with a high-speed, non-smooth-surface, rotating machine that can catch the glove and pull the hand into the machine. Entanglement can cause lacerations, crushing, and amputations. Avoid using gloves when using:
Safety Glove Types and Benefits
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