Technicians have grown accustomed to the cracking, splitting, dryness and sometimes even bleeding of their hands that results from the demanding nature of their profession, says Jarrett Newman of The Hand Stuff (www.thehandstuff.com), a company that makes all-natural balm for hands. “Technicians fix for a living, yet the greatest asset and tool they have – their hands – are probably in dire need of repair because they’re typically neglected, with no real thought given to improving their condition.”
Perhaps the single most compelling reason that technicians should care for their hands, she says, is that they “are crucial to their job function. Maintaining hand health allows technicians to work more comfortably and handle any tool in their arsenal more fluidly. That, in turn, allows them to work faster, with greater quality, getting through their workload in less time.”
Getting through the workload faster creates opportunities to take on more work, adds Newman, and more quality work means less rework. All of this leads to making more money. “The ability to make money – i.e., the health of the business – is dependent upon the health of employees.”
HELPFUL TIPS
Newman offers these helpful tips to care for and increase the lifespan of the hands to share with your technicians.
1. Always wash hands to remove filth and grime. “It’s important to allow your skin to breathe so it can properly function,” she notes. “The skin is an organ, after all, and it is the largest one of the body.”
2. Be sure to moisturize hands on a daily basis to help repair, protect and soothe to make them feel more comfortable.
3. Whether it’s a scrape, burn or puncture wound, make sure to disinfect and bandage. Not only does it minimize scarring, but dressing the wound prevents any sort of irritation from occurring due to contact with harsh or hazardous chemicals and substances.
Long-term exposure to harsh and hazardous substances can be disastrous for the functionality of your hands, Newman points out.
“Remind technicians that improving the quality of their work starts with their hands,” she advises. “Don’t fail your hands, invest in them. It will be one of the most comfortable decisions you ever make.”
