General Safety · 2–5 min toolbox talk
Hand Injury Prevention
A safety talk discussing how to prevent hand injuries across construction, warehouse, industrial, and utility operations.
Use this printed script for your tailgate or toolbox talk. Read through the hazards, script, and questions with your crew.
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“Hand Injury Prevention”
Key Hazards
- Cuts from sharp materials
- Pinch points on tools or equipment
- Contact with hot surfaces or chemicals
2–3 Minute Talk Script
Hand injury prevention is essential for workers in construction, warehousing, industrial plants, and utility environments. Hands are involved in almost every task, which makes them especially vulnerable to cuts, pinches, burns, and chemical exposure.
Using proper gloves for the task reduces injuries significantly. Cut-resistant gloves help with sharp materials, insulated gloves protect against heat, and chemical-resistant gloves guard against harmful substances. Workers should never remove gloves during high-risk tasks.
Industries face different hand hazards. Construction workers handle rebar, lumber, and metal edges. Warehouse staff deal with pallets and shrink wrap. Industrial employees work near moving machinery. Utility crews handle tools, valves, and piping.
Workers should identify hand hazards before each task, remove pinch points when possible, and maintain tools to reduce slippage. Encouraging each other to use proper PPE and avoid shortcuts supports a safer work environment.
Safety Reminders
- Wear appropriate gloves for each task.
- Identify and eliminate pinch points.
- Keep cutting tools sharp and clean.
- Avoid placing hands where visibility is limited.
Ask the Crew
- What hand hazards are present on this job today?
- Are we using the correct gloves for the materials we’re handling?