Weeding Hook Lacerations to Fingers

Scottish Woodlands Health & Safety Toolbox Talk

An Operative has sustained a series of lacerations to his right hand whilst using a weeding hook to cut bracken from around young, planted trees. The site had been mounded and as he worked, he slipped and fell into a hole which was hidden due to the bracken, resulting in the hook hitting the mound and his hand sliding down the handle, on to the blade, slicing his fingers.

This is the 4th weeding hook injury that has been sustained on a Scottish Woodlands site in the last 5 years and highlights the importance of wearing cut resistant protective gloves whilst undertaking hand weeding.

Please be aware that there is a picture within the tool box talk below which shows the open wounds to the operative’s fingers.