We rely on our hand for many things. Protecting your employees’ hands from injury is not only important, it is the law. The OSHA regulation 1910.138 mandates employers to select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees’ hands are exposed to hazards. These hazards include potential hand injury from skin absorption of harmful substances, severe cuts or lacerations, severe abrasions, punctures, chemical burns, thermal burns, and harmful temperature extremes.
There are many types of work gloves available today to protect against a wide variety of hazards. The nature of the hazard and the operation involved will affect the selection of the work gloves. The variety of potential occupational hand injuries makes selecting the right pair of work gloves challenging. It is essential that employees use gloves specifically designed for the hazards and tasks found in their workplace.
In general, work gloves can be categorized by type: cut-resistant, puncture-resistant, cold/heat protection, chemical/liquid protection, abrasion protection, and general purpose.
Leather, canvas, or cloth work gloves provide general purpose protection against cuts, abrasions, dirt, and burns. Leather and canvas work gloves also protect against sustained heat. Metal mesh work gloves also provide protection against cuts when handling sharp objects.
Aluminized work gloves provide reflective and insulating protection against high temperatures and flames. Insulating rubber gloves are designed for electrical work, and must meet certain requirements, as stated in CFR 1910.137.
Coated work gloves are great for general-purpose abrasion protection with added slip-resistant qualities and more dexterity.
Chemical-resistant work gloves, made from neoprene, latex, vinyl, and PVC, are designed for handling chemicals and hazardous substances that may damage the skin. These materials may be in the form of a disposable glove, or can be blended or laminated for better performance. As a general rule, the thicker the glove material, the greater the chemical resistance will be. However, thicker work gloves may impair grip and dexterity, having a negative impact on safety. Because there are so many types of materials of work gloves in the chemical-resistant category, it is important to make sure the one you choose will protect you from the substance with which you are working. Many glove manufacturers offer charts are chemical resistance to help you choose the right chemical-resistant glove.
Remember, work gloves should not be the only means of injury prevention in the workplace. Employers should explore all possible engineering and work practice controls to eliminate hazards and only use PPE to provide additional protection against hazards that cannot be completely eliminated through other means.
