Warehouse Safety Tips | Episode 311 | The Most Common Hand Injuries & Causes
Share
Subscribe
The Most Common Hand Injuries And Causes
Your hands are your most valuable tools. In a warehouse, they’re constantly at risk. From sharp edges to pinch points and fast-moving machinery, one wrong move can lead to serious injury. That’s why this week, we’re focusing on hand safety—and more specifically, how to avoid cuts, pinches, and caught-in hazards.
Most hand injuries don’t come out of nowhere. They build up from small oversights. Grabbing debris without gloves. Reaching into a jammed conveyor. Wearing a loose hoodie near a rotating shaft. These aren’t just bad habits—they’re dangerous ones. The goal is simple: protect your hands before an injury forces you to stop using them.
Here are a few ways to keep your hands out of harm’s way:
1. Watch for pinch, crush, and cut points.
Anywhere metal moves, shifts, or presses—assume there’s a danger zone. Conveyor rollers, dock plates, loading bays, lift gates. Keep your hands out unless you’ve locked out the equipment and confirmed it's safe.
2. Never clear jams by hand.
Tempting? Sure. But that shortcut can cost you fingers. Use proper lockout/tagout procedures. And always use tools—not hands—to remove material that’s stuck or jammed.
3. Skip the loose clothing and jewelry.
That oversized hoodie, drawstring, or metal watch? It might seem harmless—until it catches on a rotating shaft or pallet jack chain. Keep sleeves snug and accessories off the floor.
4. Stay alert around moving parts.
Rotating belts. Chain drives. Live rollers. These parts don’t stop just because you’re nearby. Give machinery space, even if it looks idle. Always assume it could start back up.
5. Don’t ignore small cuts or blisters.
Even minor scrapes can turn into infections or worse if untreated. Clean and cover wounds. Report them. Letting a small cut fester is never the smart move.
As always, these are potential tips. Please be sure to follow the rules and regulations of your specific facility.
A strong safety culture isn’t built on luck. It’s built on small decisions, repeated daily. Every time you choose gloves over bare hands, or back away instead of reaching in, you’re protecting more than just yourself. You’re setting the tone for your whole team.
Hand injuries are some of the most common incidents in the warehouse. But here’s the thing—they’re also some of the most preventable. With awareness, a little patience, and the right habits, you can keep your hands safe and working as hard as you do.
Thank you for being part of another episode of Warehouse Safety Tips.
Until we meet next time - have a great week, and STAY SAFE!
#Safety #SafetyCulture #StaySafe #HandSafety #InjuryPrevention #CaughtInHazards #WorkplaceSafety #StayAlert #HealthAndSafety