EH-20 Reducing Hand and Finger Injuries: A Case History
ENVIRONMENT, SAFETY & HEALTH
BULLETIN
Assistant Secretary for U.S. Department of Energy
Environment, Safety, & Health Washington, D.C. 20585
DOE/EH-0043 Issue No. 20 June 1987
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Reducing Hand and Finger Injuries: A Case History
#1 Problem: Workers Choosing Comfortable but Inadequate Gloves
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Statistically, hand and finger injuries usually account for about 40% of all
industrial injuries. But for three years in a row, 1983 - 1985, Savannah
River's Plant Manager, J. Granaghan, noted that hand and finger injuries
accounted for almost 70% of their total recordable injuries. He established a
special committee to tackle the problem and in just over a year that
percentage dropped from 70% to 50%, down to the 1981 level - and the
percentage is still dropping. In the course of its work, the Hand and Finger
Injury Prevention Committee identified some unexpected causes and learned
some lessons worth sharing.
The committee attributes much of its success to its plant-wide structure.
It is composed of representatives from a variety of work groups (i.e.:
production, reactor works e.ngineering, separation works engineering, central
works engineering, safety, and a representative from Savannah River
Laboratory) and from a cross-section of plant areas. Its chairman is at the
level of Department Superintendent and the committee includes some wage roll
workers. Obviously, the advantages of such a structure are many: actual work
practices can be identified; groups not receiving training can be identified;
specific training inadequacies can be identified; and information can be
related back to employees in a direct and personal way.
Training Did Not Emphasize Hand Protection
The committee's first job was to review injury statistics back to 1980 and
its first question was: What could have happened between 1982 and 1983 that
caused the percentage of hand and finger injuries to double? One answer -
that there were lots of new hires - led them to review the plant's training
programs. They found that hand protection was not emphasized and that neither
first line supervisors nor their crews received proper training. When they
reviewed each injury individually, they found some unexpected specifics; 1)
people were using their pocket knives for tools; 2) the majority of injuries
occurred at pinch points; and 3) people were wearing inadequate gloves. The
conu-nittee developed a concentrated training class which all newly promoted
first line supervisors have to attend. Obviously, some of the areas covered
are: using correct tools, recognizing pinch points, and choosing proper
gloves for the job.
Workers Using Inadequate Gloves
Since all plants require workers to wear gloves, a sub-committee was formed
to look at what types of hand protection were being stocked at the supply
store and which gloves were actually being used around the plant.
Twenty-eight different types of gloves were being stocked (including rubber
gloves), but no one really knew what each type was to be used for
specifically. Soft leather gloves, like those made of capeskin, were the
gloves of choice commonly being used in the plant by almost everyone,
particularly Works Engineering groups (maintenance and electrical workers):
they were very comfortable, very light, and seemed to fit well.
A strategy won the approval of the plant manager: procurement bought 15
different types of gloves (in addition to those already being stocked); the
sub-committee was enlarged to include representatives from all the Works
Engineering and Production groups, primarily wage roll workers; and then
these representatives tried all the different gloves. Also, some structure
testing was done to learn how resistant the gloves were to punctures and
lacerations. As a result of all this, two new types of gloves which were much
more puncture and laceration resistant were added to stock, one pigskin and
the other cowhide. The move to stronger gloves cost about $33,000, but the
plant manager, who reviews all purchases of this kind, thought the change
worth the money. Payback, which is expected in about 2 1/2 years, will be
aided by reducing the purchase of soft leather gloves.
Publicity is Necessary
Still, workers often substituted soft capeskin gloves for heavier, more
appropriate but less comfortable, gloves. Publicity was needed and several
vehicles were selected. Some were already in existence, such as a monthly
plant newspaper into which they placed an article on hand and finger injuries
and short spots; a 15-minute video program titled "SRP Update" which the
company produces quarterly and into which 2-5 minute spots were placed; and
the Plant Safety Office's telephone call-in safety messages and Safety-Grams.
The most successful vehicle has been the video programs because they contain
four or five segments showing things that are going on all around the plant
and people enjoy seeing them.
The committee produced its own display board on which all the different
types of gloves were exhibited. Now there are several display boards around
the plant reminding people that there are proper gloves for every job.
Even though personal commitment plays a major part in reducing injuries, it
does not always make someone aware of all the things that can happen. The
plant's Safety Suggestion Program is being used as a means of getting
specific suggestions - the committee then takes responsibility for finding
ways to implement them. Plans are to give monetary awards for the best ideas.
It's an Ongoing Effort
Since all of the areas the committee emphasized - training, protective
equipment, publicity, and individual commitment - are intrinsic to all good
safety programs, Steve Etheridge, a committee member, opined that hand and
finger safety simply might have gotten lost in the overall safety program.
Still, the committee will continue to keep track of the trend, identify
specific problems, develop corrective actions, and keep hand and finger
safety a priority.
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Information for this Bulletin was provided by H. Steve Etheridge, Chief
Supervisor, Reactor Works Engineering, Savannah River Plant, Aiken, South
Carolina. The Savannah River Plant is run for the DOE by E.I. DuPont De
Nemours & Company, Inc.
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Bulletin is published so that DOE program managers and contractors can share
information about potential occupational safety problems relevant to DOE
operations. For more information or additional copies, contact Nona Shepard,
Editor, Office of Operational Safety, Assistant Secretary for Environment,
Safety & Health, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20545; telephone
FTS 233-2958, Commercial (301) 353-2958.