The Right Glove for the Task

 

by Joel Rogers, CSP, Director of Safety

Whether working on a construction site or working at home, safety gloves are one of the most important types of PPE to protect hands.

Many hand injuries result from:

  • Pinch points – causing hands or fingers to get pinched

  • Sharp objects – causing lacerations, punctures, or amputations

  • Trips and falls – causing hand injury from losing balance and inadvertently falling into the path of a hazard or bracing oneself in a fall

In an industrial environment like ours, using the right type of glove is critical:

  • Leather gloves for mild heat, abrasion, and impact resistance

  • Palm dipped gloves for gripping

  • Chemical resistant, which may be latex, nitrile, or PVC, depending on the type of chemical

  • Cut resistant gloves that are ANSI cut rated for sharp objects or metal edges

The gloves also need to provide dexterity and be comfortable to perform the task.

At SEFA, we provide gloves for every type of hazard our team members may encounter in their fields of specialization. Importantly, we want them to have hand protection that fits appropriately and allows them to grasp, lift, and perform their job safely and reliably.

When choosing the right glove, remember to:

  • Identify the risks and hazards involved by performing a job safety analysis before each job and shift starts.

  • Select the appropriate material needed for the risk involved, such as cuts, abrasions, skin absorption of harmful substances, punctures, chemical/thermal burns, and extreme temperatures. Fabric properties that should be available by the glove manufacturer include chemical resistance, thermal protection, cut and puncture resistance, and non-electrical conductivity.

  • Be sure the glove fits properly.

  • Inspect gloves before the start of each shift.

Jami Rodgers