21 May PPE – Picking the Proper Gloves

PPE – Picking the Proper Gloves

Your hands are among your most important tools, but they are also frequently exposed to workplace hazards. Cuts, punctures, burns, chemical exposure, abrasions, and other hand injuries can often be prevented or reduced by selecting and wearing the proper gloves.

No single glove protects against every hazard. The correct glove must be selected based on the work being performed and the specific hazards involved.

Choose Gloves for the Hazard

Before selecting gloves, consider:

• The type of hazard involved.
• Chemicals or substances being handled.
• Potential for cuts, punctures, or abrasions.
• Temperature extremes.
• Required grip and dexterity.
• Duration and frequency of exposure.
• Whether gloves could create an entanglement hazard around moving machinery.

Always follow the company’s PPE hazard assessment, Safety Data Sheet (SDS), manufacturer’s recommendations, and established work procedures.

Cotton and Fabric Gloves

Cotton and other fabric gloves may be appropriate for light-duty material handling and general work.

Advantages:

• Lightweight and comfortable.
• Absorb perspiration.
• Provide limited protection against minor abrasions.
• Useful for some general material-handling activities.

Limitations:

• Provide limited protection against cuts and punctures.
• Generally unsuitable for chemical exposure.
• May absorb liquids and contaminants.
• Heat resistance varies considerably by material and construction.

Do not assume a fabric glove provides heat or cut protection unless it is specifically rated for that hazard.

Leather Gloves

Leather gloves are commonly used for material handling, welding, and other work involving rough or abrasive surfaces.

Advantages:

• Good abrasion resistance.
• Some puncture resistance.
• Protection from minor sparks and heat, depending on glove construction.
• Can help cushion hands during material handling.

Limitations:

• Cut resistance varies.
• May reduce dexterity.
• Generally not suitable for protection against hazardous chemicals unless specifically designed for that purpose.

Welding and high-temperature work require gloves specifically designed and rated for those hazards.

Chemical-Resistant Gloves

Materials such as nitrile, neoprene, natural rubber, butyl rubber, and PVC may provide protection against certain chemicals.

Advantages:

• Can provide protection against liquids, oils, acids, bases, solvents, and other chemicals when the correct glove material is selected.
• Available in different thicknesses, lengths, and designs.

Limitations:

• No chemical-resistant glove protects against every chemical.
• Chemicals can permeate or degrade glove materials.
• Protection varies significantly by chemical, concentration, temperature, glove thickness, and exposure time.
• Many chemical-resistant gloves provide limited cut or puncture protection.

Consult the SDS and the glove manufacturer’s chemical-resistance or permeation information before selecting gloves for chemical handling.

Cut-Resistant Gloves

Cut-resistant gloves are available in materials and blends such as high-performance fibers, engineered yarns, and metal mesh.

Advantages:

• Provide increased protection against cuts and lacerations.
• Available in different levels of cut resistance.
• Many designs provide good flexibility and dexterity.

Limitations:

• Cut-resistant does not mean cut-proof.
• Cut resistance does not automatically provide puncture, chemical, or heat protection.
• The appropriate protection level must be selected for the task.

Use gloves with recognized performance ratings appropriate for the identified hazard.

Gloves and Moving Machinery

Gloves can sometimes increase the risk of injury.

Do not wear gloves around exposed rotating or moving machinery when there is a possibility that the glove could become caught and pull the hand into the equipment. Examples may include certain operations involving drills, lathes, rotating shafts, and similar equipment.

Follow the equipment manufacturer’s instructions and established safe-work procedures.

Inspect Gloves Before Use

Before putting on protective gloves:

• Check for cuts, tears, holes, punctures, or deterioration.
• Make sure the gloves are clean and appropriate for the task.
• Confirm that they fit properly.
• Inspect chemical-resistant gloves for signs of degradation, swelling, stiffness, discoloration, or other damage.
• Replace damaged, contaminated, or worn-out gloves.

Never continue using gloves that can no longer provide the intended protection.

Hand Hygiene and Skin Protection

Gloves do not eliminate the need for good hygiene. Wash your hands after removing gloves and before eating, drinking, smoking, or touching your face.

Barrier creams and skin-protection products may be useful for certain applications but should not be considered substitutes for required protective gloves. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and company procedures.

Remember

Selecting gloves simply because they are available is not enough. Match the glove to the hazard, make sure it fits properly, inspect it before use, and replace it when damaged or contaminated.

Summary

Proper gloves protect hands from cuts, chemicals, heat, and abrasions. Match gloves to the hazard, inspect before use, and avoid them near entanglement hazards.