Hands Down: The Best Practices for Preventing Workplace Injuries
April, 2025 Sudbury, Ontario - Hands are among the most frequently injured body parts on the job, making hand protection a top priority in workplace safety. In fact, hand injuries are the second most common type of workplace injury (second only to back injuries). These injuries aren’t just numbers; they carry real consequences for workers and businesses.
Each incident can be costly – estimates show each hand injury can cost anywhere from $540 to $26,000 in direct and indirect expenses (severe cases like tendon severances averaging tens of thousands of dollars.) The good news is that many of these injuries are preventable. According to one BLS study, 70% of workers who suffered hand injuries were not wearing gloves, and the other 30% were wearing gloves but either the wrong type or in poor condition.
Wearing the right cut-resistant gloves drastically reduces cut risks, but they must be worn to work. Gloves left in pockets offer zero protection. Cut-level hand protection includes gloves and sleeves designed to resist cuts, rated by cutting force they can withstand. Safety managers should choose the right gloves, ensure workers wear them, and foster a culture valuing hand safety. This guide covers essential insights on cut-level hand protection.
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