Get a (Good) Grip

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• Use a power grip with the full hand for high force work. Use a pinch grip with the fingers for low force, precision work.
• Choose a tool with a handle shape that puts your wrist in a strong, natural position for the task.
• Choose a tool that comfortably fits your hand.
• Power tools with low vibration and no kickback are best.

Ideas for healthy hands

Use these ideas to improve tasks at work and at home.

• Control repeated pinching tasks that can cause muscle fatigue and wrist injuries, especially if the pinch grip must be forceful.
• Arrange your work so your wrists are in a strong, natural position when performing gripping tasks or using tools..
• Choose a tool handle shape that matches the task. The handle shape should keep the wrist in a strong, natural position,
  so you don't have to bend your wrist.
• Replace or modify tools that don’t fit your hand, have a smooth/slippery handle,
  or dig into your hand.
• If the task requires one hand to hold an object so the other hand can work on it, use a tool or clamp to secure the object in place to free your hand.
• Repair or replace tools that have strong vibration or kickback.
• Regular maintenance should be performed on hand tools and equipment to keep them in good working condition.
• Changing activities and building rest periods into the job allow the body  to recover: See poster 6.

Did you know?

• Power grips using the whole hand are five times stronger than pinch grips which use only the fingers.
• Pinch grips work well for precision work. Regular forceful pinch grips fatigue  muscles quickly and increase the risk of hand and arm discomfort and injury.
• Working with your wrists in a strong, natural position reduces loading and fatigue in both the hands and wrists.
• A grip size that is too big or small for your hands requires more force to perform the task and increases the  risk of fatigue.

Improve your workplace

• Keep asking yourself and others,  “Why are the workspace and tools not right for the job?” until you understand the problem.

What are we going to do today to keep our hands healthy while gripping?

Think of 3 ideas.

Whatever changes you make, check that you are not creating any new problems.