10 Steps For Selecting The Best Hand Protection

Hand protection starts with information. Here are 10 steps to help you gather and analyze information about hand protection.

Gloves are the primary form of hand protection. But all gloves aren't created equal, so you have to choose wisely if you want to ensure the best protection for employees' hands.

According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Safety and Health, PPE selection begins with gathering and analyzing information such as the following:

1. A complete and accurate description of the task for which gloves are required.
2. Identification of all hazards that may require hand protection. This should include a list of both chemical hazards and physical hazards like cuts, burns, etc.
3. Flexibility and touch sensitivity needed for the job. This may limit the thickness of the glove material that can be used. Also consider the need for textured or nonslip surfaces.
4. Durability and resistance to deterioration or other damage due to contact with chemicals, sharp objects, rough surfaces, heat, etc. This may involve a review of technical information about products such as permeation rate, breakthrough time, penetration, and degradation.
5. Types of contact—for example, occasional contact, splashes, or continuous immersion.

1. Duration of exposure.
2. Potential effects of skin exposure, such as irritation or corrosion, as well as systemwide health effects of chemical exposure.
3. Decontamination and cleaning versus disposal.
4. Required training, which should include a discussion of the hazards, glove selection, limitations of gloves, what could happen if gloves fail, safe glove removal to prevent contamination, and when to dispose of or decontaminate gloves.
5. Size requirements to suit range of hand sizes in your workforce.

Thanks to SafetyDailyAdvisor / BLR News