Following several recent incidents across our UK operations that have resulted in hand injuries, including fractured fingers, we’re asking everyone to take a moment to think about Line of Fire risks.

Line of Fire incidents happen when we place ourselves, or a part of our body, in the path of something that could move, shift, fall, swing, rotate or eject unexpectedly. This includes impact forces, moving equipment, pinch points and crushing hazards.

Even a relatively minor hand injury can have a major impact affecting everyday activities, family life, hobbies and driving, as well as your ability to work.

Before starting any task, remember:

• Stop and Think before work starts and whenever conditions change.
• Make your Take-5 task-specific and consider potential Line of Fire hazards.
• Ask yourself: Is there a safer way to do this?
• Think about what could move, shift, fall, swing, rotate or eject unexpectedly.
• Keep your hands clear of strike zones, pinch points and crushing hazards.
• Choose the correct PPE. Impact-resistant gloves should be considered where there is a risk of impact, crushing, trapping or being struck.
• Remember, PPE is the last line of defence. Good planning, isolation, guarding, engineering controls and safe positioning should always come first.

Most importantly, if something doesn’t look or feel safe, stop and challenge it. Don’t put your hands, or yourself, in the Line of Fire.

Please take time to review the Line of Fire guidance which you can find on the UK News download page HERE, and recent Safety Alerts being shared with teams. By stopping, thinking and looking out for one another, we can prevent injuries and make sure everyone goes home safe and well.