Hands should be protected whenever you are cutting, painting, welding,
or handling sharp metal, chemicals, needles, or blood samples. It is
essential to wear the right glove for each specific task, since no one
glove protects against all hazards.
OSHA has added hand safety to its standard on personal protective equipment.
The standard requires workers to wear appropriate protection whenever
their hands are exposed to hazards, and lists guidelines for employees
to follow when selecting and purchasing the proper gloves. The following
list points out the advantages and disadvantages of certain gloves.
The most widely used and "abused" glove material is
cotton.
•
Advantages: low cost; perspiration absorption; versatility in application;
more cut resistance than leather; moderate abrasion and heat protection.
• Disadvantages: cut protection is limited; short lifetime; thermal
application range limited to about 400 F.
The
next most widely used from of hand protection is leather.
• Advantages: good puncture resistance and abrasion resistance;
absorbs impact and helps cushion blows to the hand; shields against
sparks; greater thermal protection than cotton.
• Disadvantages: limited cut resistance; limited dexterity, depending
on thickness of leather.
Natural
rubber, neoprene, nitrile, PVC are among many elastomers used for gloves.
• Advantages: liquid-proof for resistance against caustics, acids
and other chemicals (solvents).
• Disadvantages: offer limited cut resistance.
Metal
mesh and other new fibers known as Kevlar, Spectra, and Vectran
• Advantages: flexible, cut resistant, lightweight, and resist
thermal transfer.
• Disadvantages: may be costly
Washes and
creams: It is also important to maintain personal hygiene and keep your
hands clean to prevent infection. If you use barrier creams, always
be sure to wash your hands before putting on the cream, and at the end
of the day, when you are ready to go home. Barrier creams provided limited
protection against alkali's and acids, but are sometimes used in conjunction
with gloves.
Another great hand protection tool is the pre-moistened heavy-duty hand
towels. Employees can use these towels to remove heavy grease and grime
at their workstations or remote job sites.
REFERENCES:
Assessing
the need for PPE (OSHA)
NIOSH
Guide to Protective Clothing Materials
General
Industry:
1910.132,
General requirements.
1910.138,
Hand Protection.
Maritime
Industry:
1915.151,
Scope, application and definitions.
1915.152,
General requirements.
1915.157,
Hand and body protection.
Longshoring:
1918,
Safety and Health Regulations for Longshoring.
1918.105,
Other protective measures.
Construction:
1926
Subpart E, Authority for 1926 Subpart E
1926.95,
Criteria for personal protective equipment.
Training
Roster
