The work machine has a hand protection device (20) with a rear section (21) with an inverted U-shaped cross-section formed with upper plate (21a) and right and left side plates (21b). The front section extends outwards to form a sector shape. A front handle (14) is formed integral with the side plates. The front handle is in the form of a loop with continuous integral body with upper, right and left and lower right and left grip parts. The hand protection device has at the back of the rear section, an assembly plate for fitting on the assembly base of the machine.