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General Climbing Discussion

Topic Date User

landscaper 7-Jul-2006 At 8:03:44 AM robin

Message

On 6/07/2006 JamesMc wrote:
>howzithanging?,
> If you think wearing gloves at work is "not an option",
>then you have a real OH&S issue. This is the sort of attitude that causes
>so many injuries in small businesses.

I'm back to the manual labouring at the moment (Nursery) and wearing gloves for many jobs is not an option. Most jobs you need the feeling in your finger tips to do the job properly. Yesterday I was pruning thorny trees, resulting in 9 small punture holes in the back of my hands (less than when I crack climb), but I find I get much better speed and precision with my pruning cuts when not wearing gloves.

Also wearing safety equipment can sometimes be more of a hazard than the problem you are trying to solve. For example operating a crane requires sensitive touch on the levers so gloves may make crane operation less safe.

I guess to put it in perspective if wearing skin out is an unaccepable risk then why don't we force climbers to wear leather gloves when climbing granite slabs?

As for lower back problems a lot can be done to reduce the risk but you can never fully eliminate the hazard in a manual job. If you have done all you can to eliminate the risk but still suffer back problems my advice is get out of the industry or get into a management/supervisory role. Skin on your hands will heal but once you've got a bad back you've got it for life.