Hands are among the most frequently used parts of the body in work activities, especially in industrial environments. From operating equipment and handling materials to using tools and performing maintenance work, almost all of these activities involve the use of hands. However, despite their essential role, hands are also among the body parts most vulnerable to workplace injuries.
According to the Keep Your Hands safety material, 2025 accident data from PT Freeport Indonesia Smelting & Refining shows that hands and fingers were the most frequently injured parts of the body. Therefore, every worker needs to remain vigilant, recognize potential hazards, and apply preventive measures before and throughout the course of the work.
Recognize Hazards That Threaten Hand Safety
One of the main hazards that requires attention is a Pinch Point, which is a condition where hands or fingers may be pinched, trapped, or crushed between two objects. Common sources of hazards found in the workplace include:
- Pinch Points: Areas between materials, structures, or moving components that can cause hands to become pinched.
- Moving or Rotating Machinery: Components such as rollers, pulleys, gears, and other machine parts that may pull in or pinch hands.
- Sharp Edges: Materials or equipment with sharp surfaces that can cause cuts.
- Hot Surfaces: Direct contact with high-temperature equipment that may cause burns.
- Chemical and Electrical Exposure: Contact with hazardous substances or electrical energy sources that may result in serious injuries.
Before starting any work, every worker should consider one important question:
“If the object shifts or the machine moves, are my hands in the line of fire?”
This simple question can help workers identify risks before an accident occurs.
Ten Steps to Protect Your Hands at Work
Preventing hand injuries must become part of everyday work habits. The following ten hand protection measures should be applied:
- Check for potential pinch points before starting work.
- Determine the necessary control measures to ensure the work can be carried out safely.
- Follow applicable work procedures and instructions.
- Stay fully focused while working and avoid distractions that may reduce concentration.
- Read and comply with safety warning signs on equipment.
- Keep hands away from moving or rotating machinery and equipment.
- Avoid direct contact with chemicals, electricity, and hot surfaces, and use appropriate protection.
- Do not place hands or fingers in areas that are not visible or difficult to reach.
- Stay alert to pinch points and sharp or serrated surfaces.
- Immediately report any missing, damaged, or malfunctioning machine guards to your supervisor.
By consistently applying these measures, the potential for hand injuries can be reduced.
Use the Right PPE, but Never Ignore the Hazard
The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), particularly safety gloves, is one form of protection against the risk of hand injuries. Gloves must be selected according to the type of work and the potential hazards involved, including mechanical, heat, chemical, and electrical risks.
However, it is important to understand that wearing gloves does not automatically make every task safe. Gloves cannot replace hazard controls at the source. In fact, using unsuitable gloves around rotating machinery may create a risk of entanglement or being pulled into the equipment. Therefore, workers must ensure that hazards have been controlled first and select PPE based on the risk assessment and applicable work procedures.
Apply Stop Work Authority When Conditions Are Unsafe
Workplace safety is not only about wearing PPE; it is also about having the courage to take action when unsafe conditions are identified. Every worker has the responsibility to exercise Stop Work Authority (SWA) when identifying a condition or action that has the potential to cause an accident.
The following actions should be taken:
- STOP: Stop the work when an uncontrolled hazard is identified.
- MAKE SAFE: Move away from the source of danger and ensure the work area is in a safe condition.
- REPORT: Inform the supervisor of the unsafe condition so corrective action can be taken before work resumes.
Do not force work to continue simply to meet a target when safety requirements have not been fulfilled. No work target is more important than the safety of workers.
Build a Safety Culture Through CHECK, CONTROL, STOP & REPORT
To prevent hand injuries, every worker needs to build safe work habits through the following three key steps:
CHECK – Recognize the Hazard
Inspect the work area, identify pinch points, and ensure that your hands are not positioned in the line of fire.
CONTROL – Manage the Risk
Follow safe work procedures, use the appropriate equipment, and ensure that all required control measures have been implemented.
STOP & REPORT – Stop and Report
Stop the work when an unsafe condition is identified and immediately report it to the supervisor for follow-up.
These three steps are expected to become part of safe work behavior and be applied consistently in every operational and maintenance activity.
Conclusion
Hand injuries can occur in an instant, but their impact can affect a person's ability to work and perform daily activities in the long term. Through the “Keep Your Hands Safe” campaign, PT Adikari Wisesa Indonesia encourages all workers to strengthen their awareness of hand safety by recognizing hazards, following safe work procedures, using appropriate PPE, and having the courage to stop work when unsafe conditions exist.
Safety begins with each individual's awareness to think before acting and to ensure that every task is carried out safely.
KEEP YOUR HANDS SAFE, PROTECT YOUR FUTURE!
Think before you touch. Check before you work. Stop if it is unsafe.
SAFETY STARTS WITH YOUR HANDS
HSE Department
PT ADIKARI WISESA INDONESIA