Expert Insights: Where has the 'health' gone in Health + Safety?

Our first thought in hand protection is often to start with a glove that would protect operatives’ hands against the possibility of injury incurred by mechanical hazards, such as cuts or puncture wounds etc. And this isn’t wrong.

But when was the last time we stepped back and asked a different question: are we really looking after long-term health of our operatives’ hands?

Did you know that Construction operatives are more than twice as likely to develop contact dermatitis, as those working within other industries?

For many, this isn’t just a minor irritation, it can mean ongoing pain, discomfort, and in some cases, having to leave the job altogether. For businesses, it can result in £ millions being paid out to victims in compensation.

What could cause the onset of dermatitis?

Often, it’s the things we don’t immediately see:

Wearing damp gloves for long periods can cause repeated friction on the skin, leading to irritation.
Wet work without the right protection, such as handling concrete, can strip moisture from the skin and even cause burns.
In hotter conditions, sweat trapped inside gloves creates the perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to grow.
And of course, exposure to certain chemicals can sensitise the skin over time and trigger dermatitis.

SO, WHAT CAN WE DO TO OVERCOME THESE RISKS?

Hand protection vs hand health?

This brings us to a question that often comes up: hand protection vs. hand health – which matters more?

The answer is simple: it shouldn’t be a trade-off.

Start by setting a clear baseline for mechanical protection, then select gloves that are suited to the working environment (wet or dry). By doing this, you’re not only protecting against immediate injury but also addressing the underlying causes of long-term hand health issues.

As organisations, it’s essential we take a holistic view on hand protection, considering the health and safety of our operatives’ hands, not just for now, but for the long-term.

by Anna Erlerova

Micro-training: When to replace gloves

Resources: When to replace gloves

Introduction

Many gloves are disposed of before they’re actually worn out, while others stay in use long after they should have been replaced.

When should gloves be replaced?

Only dispose of gloves if:

1. Holes in the lining
2. Coating has worn away
3. Gloves are damp or have an odour from contaminated oils, greases, or water

If none of these apply, the gloves are still good to use.

Common problems we see:

Gloves thrown out after light use
Gloves kept far too long, even when protection has dropped
Wrong gloves used for the task, leading to faster wear and tear
Gloves not stored properly, taking damage between shifts

Simple habits to reduce waste and improve safety:

Choose the right glove for the task, using your activity matrices
Keep gloves clean and dry between uses
Store them properly – don’t leave them in wet or dirty areas
Report early wear so we can review the glove selection with you and make improvements

Download the poster

Download this poster and display it as a quick prompt to help everyone use each pair of gloves to its full, safe potential, and change them at the right time.

Download Poster

by billy@teegdesign.com

From Incident to Insights: A Preventable Amputation

The Incident

During routine maintenance on a hydraulic reciprocating floor, a large piece of metal unexpectedly fell, resulting in the partial amputation of a worker’s index finger.

Although the energy source had been isolated, the potential for falling objects had not been fully considered during task planning.

Contributing Factors

Several issues were identified that could have contributed to the injury:

Unrecognised hazard: The risk of falling components was not identified during the risk assessment.
Task unfamiliarity: Although experienced, the worker was less familiar with this specific repair.
End of week timing: The job was completed late on a Friday. Fatigue and the natural urge to finish up can affect judgement more than we realise.
PPE considerations: Alternative hand protection would have changed the outcome and reduced the severity of the injury.

Personal Reflection

“This incident was a turning point for me, both professionally and personally. Losing part of my index finger has made me realise how quickly accidents can happen – even during tasks I’ve performed countless times before. It reinforced that familiarity can lead to complacency, and complacency is dangerous in a high-risk environment.”

“I’ve learned that safety is not just about following rules, it’s about actively thinking ahead, identifying hazards before they become incidents, and speaking up when something feels unsafe. I now approach every task with heightened awareness and encourage my team to do the same. This experience has also shown me the importance of mental resilience and support systems—recovering physically is one thing, but adapting mentally to a permanent change takes time and understanding. Simple mundane tasks such as closing my top button now requires a level of thinking for me. I recently bought a new coat which had a differently handed zipper which is the latest new challenge!”

“Moving forward, I have been committed to being an advocate for safety improvements and ensuring that lessons learned from this incident lead to tangible changes that protect everyone on site.”

Key Learnings for Hand Injury Prevention

1. Treat familiar tasks with the same caution as new ones

Routine work can hide evolving hazards, and components can shift or release unexpectedly. Taking a moment to reassess can prevent life-changing injuries.

2. Recognise the impact of timing and fatigue

End-of-day and end-of-week jobs carry added risk. When focus drops, mistakes happen more easily.

3. Select PPE based on the specific risk, not habit

Gloves and hand protection should match the specific hazards involved. Higher cut resistance as a minimum threshold can help protect against unexpected risks.

4. Encourage a culture where people speak up

If something feels unsafe, it needs to be addressed. People should feel confident to question conditions without hesitation.

5. Share real life incidents openly

Stories like this help others recognise risks they may not have considered, and that transparency helps prevent the same thing happening again.