Our hands are amazing tools. Some point to them as a biological design that “separates us from the animals.” At work, our hands write, type, hold tools, and help us to explain and give instructions. 

Unfortunately, there are many who work in the construction industry who have damaged or missing digits due to an on-the-job accident. Those in the construction industry should think about how difficult it would be to perform their jobs without a finger or two, a thumb, or worse; this illustrates how important it is to focus on hand safety. 

More importantly, hands don’t just perform work. Tucker Paving has been in the construction industry for 30 years, and we know that no job is worth your health or mobility. We focus on safety first because we know our employees’ hands don’t just run the controls of a bulldozer, smooth concrete, or use an asphalt tamper; our employees’ hands hold babies, hug children, steady elderly parents, and comfort friends.  See everything we’ve learned about hand safety in our three decades in the paving construction industry.

Steps to Keep Hands Safe

  1. Wear appropriate gloves. Wearing gloves is the first line of defense against injuring your hand. It’s vastly important that you make sure to wear safety gloves that fit the task at hand. For example, those working with concrete need gloves that are able to resist the chemical burns and scraping that can be caused by concrete. There are safety gloves for all manner of hazards, and you need to ensure the gloves chosen are appropriately rated to protect hands from the dangers inherent in the job, like razor-sharp edges, chemicals, heat, rubbing burns, and more.
  2. Slow down and stay focused on hand safety. Many hand injuries occur when we try to go too fast and neglect our hand safety. This is where saws cut off fingers, machines crush, and welding arcs burn.
  3. Examine the job for pinch points and other dangers. Before you start any task, take a look at your tools and processes and try to assess where your hands are likely to be injured. Make sure to take extra care during those portions of the task where your hands are most likely to be hurt.
  4. Check tools and guards. Before starting, look over whatever tools you will be using to ensure they are in good working order and that their guards are in place and functional. Never use a tool where the safety guard has been disabled or removed.

At team Tucker Paving, safety is always the first priority! In our 30 years in the asphalt and concrete paving industry, we take care of our employees so they take care of us! Let us help with your next project by calling us at (863) 299-2262, or filling out our contact form online.