Since we use our hands for virtually everything we do, it's easy to take them for granted. Fortunately, almost all hand and finger injuries can be prevented. Engineering controls Devices such as machine guards are usually the first step in preventing hand and finger injuries, particularly those that result from improper use of tools and machinery or careless material handling.
Many injuries occur at the point of operation on a machine or tool.
Punching and shearing machines like power presses, metal cutters, or shears can crush hands, break bones, and amputate hands and fingers. Rotating shafts like cams, couplings, flywheels, and spindles can catch, mangle, or break fingers. In-running shafts, such as nip points on belts, chains, pulleys, grinders, conveyors, or clutches can catch, mangle, or break hands. Sanders can scrape the skin. Pointed objects like screwdrivers, knives, punches, staples, or splinters can puncture the skin.