Employers must take care by conducting extensive hazard assessments to ensure that potential injury to arm and hands of workers is avoided. The employer should determine which type of protection is needed for the utmost security, by selecting the proper glove, finger guards, arm coverings, or elbow-length glove that is appropriate for the task at hand.
There are numerous selections of gloves and hand protection available. We encourage you to consider what hazards exist in your work surroundings and then make your choice. Whether you are an employer, employee, or performing jobs at home, it’s important to make the right choices.
Factors that should influence your decision in choosing gloves:
Types of chemicals you are exposed to.
Also the nature of contact (splash, total immersion.)
Duration of contact.
Area of body that requires protection.
Grip. (Dry, Wet, or Oily).
Thermal Protection.
Size and Comfort.
Abrasion/Resistance Required.
Gloves generally fall into four groups:
Leather, Canvas or Metal Mesh
Fabric and Coated Fabric
Chemical and Liquid-resistant
Insulated Rubber Gloves
We want to help you make the right decision when it comes to protecting your hands. There are so many types of gloves to choose from, we want to share the following background information:
Leather Gloves – Provide protection from cuts and burns. They also help sustain heat from sparks, blows, and rough objects. Leather gloves make excellent driving gloves.
Aluminized – Furnish insulating and reflective protection from heat; require an insert of synthetic materials for protection against heat and cold.
Aramid Fiber – Cut and abrasion-resistant, these gloves wear well and protect against heat and cold.
Synthetic – Cut and abrasion resistant, heat and cold protective, they may withstand some diluted acids. They do not stand up against alkalis and solvents.
Fabric Gloves – Constructed from cotton or other fabrics, insufficient for protection against rough, sharp or heavy materials. They work well to keep out dirt, slivers, and prevent chafing and abrasions.
Coated Fabric Gloves – Cotton flannel with napping on one side. The plastic coating is good for general-purpose gloves, adds slip-resistance from handling materials, bricks and wire to handling chemical lab containers. Chemical and
Liquid Resistant Gloves– Made from different types of rubber (natural) – butyl, neoprene, or various plastics: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl alcohol, or polyethylene.
Types of Chemical and Liquid Resistant Gloves:
Butyl – Synthetic rubber, stands up well to a wide variety of chemicals.
Natural (latex) Rubber – Very popular and comfortable, these gloves perform with most water solutions of acids, alkalis, etc. For those workers who are allergic to latex, glove liners, hypoallergenic, or powderless gloves are good alternatives.
Neoprene– Synthetic rubber – Offer good dexterity. They have superior chemical and wear resistance, compared to natural rubber gloves.
Nitrile – Copolymer, provides high sensitivity and dexterity, and stand up to heavy use.
Source: OSHA
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