Page 1169 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive

Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 438

27 November 2014

Do You Value Your Hands?

Please see enclosed bulletin from Gilbarco Veeder-Root regarding protecting your hands.

The latest HSE statistics for 2013/14 show that that were 18,732 reported hand injuries (including
fingers and wrists), and these are only the tip of the iceberg as this number is only the incidents that
resulted in more than 7 days off work or a major injury. They also report that 371 accidents involved
the amputation of the finger, hand, arm, foot or leg.

Our own accident statistics show that we have had 13 hand/finger injuries since 2004, which is by far
the biggest injury type and we have engaged employees and PPE suppliers on safety days, focused on
glove selection and banned fixed blade knives to eliminate incidents.

Wearing gloves is a generic rule designed to protect you from the minor scrapes and scratches that it is
not practicable to eliminate due to the nature of the sites on which we work. Gloves are not a magic
cure for all hazards to the hands.

Where possible we try to control the hazards by adopting safer work practices or changing tools. If you
have any suggestions as to how any work can be carried out safer, please contact your line manager.

We are all a product of learning. Every skill we have; everything we know; everything we believe and everything we do has
been learned throughout the course of our lives. Some of us learn best by studying graphs and charts, some through visual
presentations, and some by reading detailed text books. It is important that we receive information in a format that works
for us as individuals! That’s why at Xmo Strata we use a variety of communication platforms such as bulletins, newsletters,
videos etc. However, if you feel there is a better way for us to share health and safety information, please let us know.
Ultimately, your safety is in your hands – but we will do all we can to keep you well informed!