13 Jan Metal Worker PPE – Hand and Eye Protection

Metal Worker PPE – Hand and Eye Protection

Metal worker PPE is essential because cutting, drilling, punching, bending, grinding, and handling metal can expose workers to sharp edges, flying particles, burrs, and other hazards that can cause serious hand and eye injuries. Selecting and properly using the right hand and eye protection can significantly reduce these risks.

Hand Protection

Sheet metal, unfinished parts, scraps, and cut edges can be extremely sharp. Select gloves based on the specific task and hazards involved.

• Wear properly fitted, cut-resistant gloves when handling sharp metal, sheet stock, scraps, or finished pieces with hazardous edges.
• Select gloves that provide adequate cut and puncture resistance while allowing sufficient grip and dexterity.
• Inspect gloves before use and replace them when cut, torn, excessively worn, or otherwise damaged.
• Never run your hands or fingers along unfinished metal edges.
• Do not use your hands to brush away metal shavings, chips, or scraps. Use a brush or other appropriate tool.
• Keep hands away from pinch points and cutting areas.
• Use a vise, clamp, jig, or other device to secure material whenever practical.
• Keep tools sharp and properly maintained to reduce the force needed to perform the work.

Gloves can create an entanglement hazard around rotating machinery. Do not wear gloves when operating equipment where the glove could become caught in rotating or moving parts. Follow the equipment manufacturer’s instructions and established safe work procedures.

Preventing Cuts and Lacerations

Good work practices provide additional protection against hand injuries.

• Maintain adequate lighting so metal edges, tools, and hazards are clearly visible.
• Know the location of both hands before cutting, drilling, punching, or applying force.
• Keep hands out of the path of cutting tools.
• Use tools designed for the specific task.
• Handle large or awkward pieces carefully and obtain assistance when necessary.
• When using hand snips, make controlled cuts to minimize sharp burrs and jagged edges.
• Never attempt to catch a piece of metal that has been dropped or begins to fall.
• Dispose of sharp scrap in designated containers.

Eye and Face Protection

Metalworking can produce flying chips, fragments, sparks, and other particles capable of causing serious eye injuries.

Employees must wear appropriate eye protection whenever exposed to these hazards.

• Wear safety glasses with side protection for general metalworking operations where flying particles are present.
• Use goggles when additional protection from fine particles, dust, or other hazards is required.
• Wear a face shield over appropriate safety glasses or goggles when grinding, cutting, or performing operations that create significant flying-particle hazards.
• Never use a face shield as the sole means of eye protection when safety glasses or goggles are required.
• Keep protective lenses clean and replace scratched, cracked, or damaged eyewear.
• Ensure eye and face protection is appropriate for the specific hazard and fits properly.

Where practical, machine guards, transparent barriers, or work shields should also be used to contain flying material.

Spring-Back and Flying Metal

Bent, rolled, or tensioned sheet metal may contain stored energy. Cutting or releasing the material can cause it to suddenly spring back or propel pieces toward the worker.

Position yourself away from the expected path of movement and keep other employees clear. Secure material before cutting whenever practical and release stored tension in a controlled manner.

Machine Safety

PPE does not replace machine guarding or safe operating procedures.

• Ensure guards, interlocks, emergency stops, and other safety devices are functional before operating equipment.
• Never bypass or remove required guards.
• Keep hands away from points of operation and moving machinery.
• Secure loose clothing and long hair and remove jewelry that could become entangled.
• Follow lockout/tagout procedures before servicing equipment or clearing jams when unexpected startup or stored energy could cause injury.

Remember

Protect your hands and eyes every time you work with metal. Select PPE for the specific task, control sharp edges and flying particles, secure materials when practical, and never allow gloves or clothing to become entangled in moving machinery.