HAND TOOL SAFETY AND GLOVE USE

Nelson Tree Service employees expose their hands to many different types of hazardous activities on a daily basis, and hand injuries account for many incidents. The Company has developed a policy for hand tool use and the use of cut-resistant gloves when using a handsaw and/or repairing a tool with a sharp cutting edge.

HAND TOOL SAFETY
The hand tools used by the LCTT (Line Clearance Tree Trimmer) typically have sharp cutting edges. Tools such as hand saws, pruners and files have sharp edges. When handling these tools, they must be handled properly to prevent injury. Training on each hand tool is required. Your foreperson will demonstrate the proper use of the hand tools. Each hand tool shall be used properly and for the intended use. Cut-resistant gloves are required for certain tasks.

Several hand tool safety and use precautions are provided:

Sharp-edged tools shall not be placed near ropes, climbing lines and fall protection equipment.
Hand saws shall be kept in the scabbard when not cutting vegetation.
Pruner poles shall be placed where they cannot fall and strike a person or object.
Never grab, carry or attempt to pull the pruner pole by the pruner head.

CUT-RESISTANT GLOVE POLICY
The tools described above, and other power tools/powered equipment used by the LCTT can cause lacerations to the hands and fingers if not used correctly. Lacerations typically occur when changing blades or cutting with a hand saw. Cut-resistant gloves are specifically designed to provide protection from lacerations from non-powered sharp or slicing objects. These gloves provide protection from hand saws, pruner blades and non-rotating chain saw blades. Cut-resistant gloves DO NOT PROVIDE protection from powered cutting tools such as chainsaws or punctures from pointed objects. Cut-resistant gloves will be provided by your supervisor.

The cut-resistant glove is not intended to provide protection from every type of hand injury or to be worn at all times. Note: The use of general-purpose gloves is recommended when handling brush to protect against small lacerations, abrasions and poisonous plants/insects.

Cut-resistant gloves SHALL be worn under the following conditions.

When sharpening/changing/adjusting saw-chain or guide bar or other cutting tools, i.e., pruner heads.
When handling wire cable/wire rope (winch lines).
When sharpening/changing/adjusting any rotating cutting blade. Examples include:

Chipper blades

Jarraff blades

Mower blades

Brush-saw blades

When using any knife.
When using a handsaw.

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Safety Smart Question
“The use of ____________-_______ is recommended when handling ___________. ”