THE CHALLENGE
In 2012, Finning UK & Ireland identified that 45% of their operational engineers' injuries were to the hands. It was common for engineers not to wear gloves, and where they did, the gloves often had limited protection.
Case study
Finning
Finning is the world's largest Caterpillar equipment dealer, supporting customers across construction, mining, energy and industrial sectors from branches across the UK and Ireland. With a large field service and engineering workforce in demanding environments, consistent hand protection is central to operational safety.
This is how Traffi worked with Finning to reduce hand injuries and embed a structured approach to glove selection.
“THE FEEDBACK FROM THE ENGINEERING WORKFORCE WAS THAT THE TRAFFI GLOVE RANGE WAS THE BEST FIT FOR ALL OF OUR OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.”
Keith Oakes, Head of SHEQ, Finning UK & Ireland
THE SOLUTION
Traffi involved Finning's engineering workforce through toolbox talks, glove boards, posters and trials. Once trials were complete, Traffi recommended the TG6240 for its high cut level and oil and water resistance, offering the versatility Finning's operations required.
THE OUTCOME
The TG6240 combines longevity and comfort through LXT technology, and its touchscreen compatibility means workers do not remove their gloves during daily tasks. As the gloves are washable, Finning can reuse them, reducing frequent changes when dealing with oily surfaces. Since 2012, hand injuries have fallen by 85%, and the switch has saved more than 104.7 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
What was the initial problem?
In 2012, Finning UK & Ireland identified that 45% of their operational engineers' injuries were to the hands. At the time it was common for engineers not to wear gloves at all, and where they did, the gloves were often latex and offered limited protection.
Finning operates a large field service and engineering workforce in demanding environments every day, so consistent and effective hand protection is central to operational safety. Finning recognised the need to reduce the level of hand injuries and engaged Traffi to help resolve the issue.
Why Traffi?
Finning recognised the need to reduce hand injuries and engaged Traffi to help resolve the issue. Traffi offered a structured, risk-based approach to glove selection rather than relying on habit, and involved the workforce directly so the people wearing the gloves understood the link between protection level and task risk.
OUR SOLUTION
Traffi initiated the project by involving Finning's workforce through toolbox talks, glove boards, posters and glove trials. Once glove audits were complete, Traffi recommended the TG6240 for trial, for its high cut level and oil protection.
TRAFFI'S SUPPORT INCLUDED
Toolbox talks with the engineering workforce
Glove boards and posters for clear on-site guidance and awareness
Glove trials in real working environments
A recommended glove, the TG6240, matched to task risk
THE RESULT
Rather than prescribing a solution from the outset, Traffi designed the approach to build understanding of risk levels and acceptance among the people actually wearing the gloves. This helped Finning move from inconsistent, habit-based glove use to a structured approach matched to the risk of each task.
Since 2012, hand injuries at Finning have reduced by 85%, and the switch has saved 104.7 tonnes of CO2 emissions. The TG6240 combines longevity and comfort through LXT technology, and its touchscreen compatibility means workers do not need to remove their gloves during daily tasks.
Because the gloves are washable, Finning can reuse them, reducing the need for frequent changes and disposa when the gloves came in contact with oily surfaces. The trial results have since influenced Finning's Hand Protection Policy, which is now incorporated across all Finning UK and Ireland operations.
Word from Client
I would highly recommend Traffi Glove’s product f irst of all, but also, the support that they provided us in rolling out this programme has been invaluable. Keith Oakes, Head of SHEQ, Finning UK & Ireland
