Douglas OHI champions hand protection awareness

At Douglas OHI, safety is a core value that shapes everything we do. Recognising that hand injuries remain among the most common and preventable incidents in the construction industry, our teams continue to lead the way in proactive safety initiatives.

On one of our active sites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a dedicated hand protection awareness campaign was launched to reinforce the importance of personal protective equipment and safe working practices. The programme combined toolbox talks, visual demonstrations and supervisor-led walkdowns to highlight correct glove selection and usage tailored to specific tasks.

Hands are essential to nearly every aspect of construction work, from operating machinery to handling materials. Without proper protection, workers are exposed to cuts, abrasions, crush injuries and chemical hazards. By focusing on this often-overlooked area of PPE, Douglas OHI is fostering a culture where safe behaviours become instinctive, helping to prevent injuries before they occur.
The initiative emphasised three key messages:

Choose the right glove for the task: Not all gloves provide the same level of protection.
Inspect gloves regularly: Damaged PPE can create a false sense of security.
Report and replace: Workers were encouraged to flag damaged or faulty equipment to ensure immediate replacement.

Frontline supervisors and safety teams actively engaged with workers to understand challenges on the ground and gather feedback. This two-way communication ensures that safety measures are practical, effective and tailored to real-world conditions.

“Our objective is to minimise preventable injuries by empowering every team member to understand the value of proper hand protection and make informed, safe choices,” said Peter Baker, Regional HSSE Manager, Douglas OHI.

This campaign exemplifies Douglas OHI’s broader commitment to cultivating a resilient safety culture, one that integrates education, engagement and action. By taking a proactive, hands-on approach and involving teams at every level, Douglas OHI is driving meaningful progress in preventing hand injuries and reinforcing safety as a shared responsibility.