There are many potential hazards in the workplace that can put workers’ hand safety at risk. From chemical burns to abrasions, cuts, and even fractures and amputations, a worker’s hands can be injured in several ways.
Employers must provide proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in the form of hand protection to keep workers’ hands as safe as possible on the job.
Gloves are perhaps the most common form of hand protection. But how do you know what to choose?
OSHA notes the following factors to consider when making a decision about protective gloves for your workers:
- Types of chemicals handled
- Nature of contact (total immersion, splash)
- Duration of contact
- Area requiring protection (hand only, forearm, arm)
- Grip requirements (dry, wet, oily)
- Thermal protection
- Size and comfort
- Abrasion/resistance requirements
Once you determine why and how you need to use gloves, there are many different material choices: fabric and coated fabric gloves; chemical- and liquid-resistant gloves; insulating rubber gloves; and gloves constructed of leather, canvas or metal.
Leather, canvas and metal mesh gloves protect against cuts and burns, while leather and canvas gloves also offer heat protection.
Fabric gloves provide protection against dirt, slivers, chafing and abrasions. Coated fabric gloves are slip-resistant.
With chemical- and liquid-resistant gloves, the rule of thumb usually is the thicker the better protection offered.
When you need to provide workers with the supplies they need to stay safe on the job, count on Seton. Give us a call at 877-859-2155 or visit seton.com and we can help you select the safety products you need.
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