PSA: Don’t Forget Your Gloves When Using Pliers!

Heads up everyone, just a quick safety reminder. Yesterday I was working on a stuck bolt with my locking pliers and totally forgot to put on my cut-resistant gloves. The pliers slipped and I got a nasty gash on my knuckle. Five stitches later, I’m typing this one-handed. Please wear your PPE, guys. It’s not worth it.

Ouch, that sucks! I always keep a pair of Mechanix gloves in my tool box for exactly that reason. Even with good pliers, stuff can slip. Plus, they save your hands from blisters when you’re cranking on stubborn stuff.

Yeah, I learned that lesson the hard way too. Now I have a strict rule: no gloves? no pliers. Well, except for electrical work of course. But for gripping and twisting, gloves are a must. What kind of pliers were you using? Some are more prone to slipping than others.

Good reminder. I got a pair of those new rubber-dipped pliers from harbor freight and they grip like crazy. But yeah, still wear gloves. Also, check your pliers for wear – a worn jaw is a slipping jaw.

It was an old set of Irwin locking pliers, probably 10 years old. The jaws were a bit rounded. I’ve already ordered a new pair with better grip and I’m throwing the old ones in the scrap bin. Thanks for the tips, everyone!