Hand and Arm Protection

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TOPIC: Hand and Arm Protection General Guidelines Review all equipment and operations in the work area for pinch-points and moving or rotating parts; read applicable areas of the operating manuals Know the safety concerns associated with chemicals and fluids; know what to do in the event of a splash or spill or inadvertent contact Never reach into energized equipment; keep arms inside mobile equipment at all times Always perform Lockout / Tagout Verify Personal Protective Equipment fits properly and is appropriate for the job; remember there are various types of work gloves based on application Always protect hands and arms from burns and splinters while grinding, cutting, welding or sawing Avoid prolonged periods of gripping, holding or poor wrist posture; not doing so may result in Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs) like carpal-tunnel syndrome or tendonitis Always know where youre placing your hands and arms; verify machine guarding is effective; be attentive Personal Protective Equipment for the Hands and Arms
Type of Hazard Rashes, chemical burns, electrical burns, extreme heat burns Cuts, lacerations, punctures, splinters Crushes, broken bones, contusions, bruises Soreness, muscle fatigue Recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Heavy-duty rubber gloves (neoprene, butyl, latex); welding sleeves; heavy-duty leather gloves; electrical gloves Kevlar gloves; cutting (chain-mesh) gloves; heavyduty leather gloves Metacarpal guards; forearm guards Hand and wrist braces; elbow braces

Discussion Date:

Employee Participants:

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The material in this document is provided for informational purposes only and not as a comprehensive or exhaustive resource on this topic. This material has been compiled from a multitude of sources believed to be accurate; however, Caterpillar Inc. assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or currency of this information and encourages you to consult experts in this area for more information. In no event does the content of this document supersede any applicable local, state, or federal statutes or regulations.

Questions to Generate Discussion Where are the most common hand and arm hazards in your work area? What is the best method to communicate these hazards and their controls to new employees or visitors?
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Control ID: V1010.1