Hand Safety First®  ·  A PSC Hand Safety Brand

HSF Hand Exposure
Control Encyclopedia™

A reference guide to the control methods used to reduce hand exposure in industry. Each entry covers a single control method — the principle, the exposure it addresses, its applications, and the products that implement it.

6
Chapters
16
Entries
50+
Products
2026
First Edition
Engineer the Hand Out of the Hazard™ Measure Exposure Before Injury Happens™ Where Does the Hand Enter the Hazard?™
DCDistance Creation ControlsLGLoad Guidance ControlsSHSling & Hook ControlsSZSeparation & Zone ControlsIMImpact Mitigation ControlsTCTubular Control Systems

About This Encyclopedia

Every entry in this encyclopedia is a control-method entry, not a product entry. Each entry describes a method of reducing hand exposure — the principle behind it, why it was developed, the hazard mechanisms it addresses, and where it applies. Products appear in the final section of each entry as representative implementations of the control method.

Note on entry codes: Entry codes such as SZ-003 and TC-007 reflect the broader HSF taxonomy and may not run sequentially within this First Edition. Codes are assigned by taxonomy position, not publication order.
Chapter 1
DC

Distance Creation Controls

Physical separation between the worker's hand and the hazard zone — using tool geometry, reach, and standoff to keep hands clear.

Chapter 2
LG

Load Guidance Controls

Controlling load movement and direction during crane operations without direct hand contact on the load surface.

Chapter 3
SH

Sling & Hook Controls

Removing hands from the rigging interface — hook zones, sling eyes, and latch mechanisms during all phases of rigging.

Chapter 4
SZ

Separation & Zone Controls

Zone-based controls that define and enforce the boundary of suspended load operations — removing non-essential workers entirely.

Chapter 5
IM

Impact Mitigation Controls

Separating the hand from the striking point during hammer, chisel, punch, and slogging operations throughout the full impact sequence.

Chapter 6
TC

Tubular Control Systems

Dedicated pipe and tubular handling doctrine — removing hands from the pipe body, bore, and connection during drilling and pipe operations.