Home > Accessories > Hole Punches

Hole Punches

Even the most unseemly office products, like hole punches, can cause wrist and hand injuries related to RSI, or repetitive strain injury. Whether you are using a hole punch at work or scrapbooking at home, your hole punch needs the necessary care to help reduce RSI if you are continually using it. The following are a few tips to help reduce the occurrence of hand and wrist injuries associated with the hole punch:

• If your hole punch is a bit stiff to work, then a drop of oil or lubricant may be necessary for smooth operation.

• If you are in the market for a 3 hole punch, make sure to purchase one with a heavy steel base as it will reduce injury by providing stability while you punch.

• The amount of paper you use in the hole punch matters. Using large quantities of paper requires too much force and strain on your hand, wrist and arm. If you have to force it, then reduce the amount of paper to a comfortable amount. Your project may take longer, but will be worth the time and good health later.

• Hole punches are made of metal blades, and because of this they can get dull. When the hole punch is dull it is much, much harder to punch through paper and requires more force. Make sure you replace your hole punch when it gets harder to use than necessary.

Hole punches are a necessary item for many things around the office or home. If you are using a hole punch frequently, it is a good idea to maintain it and replace when needed. RSI can be greatly reduced with smart hole punch usage.