Safety gloves are very important in protecting workers and performing their jobs properly. The hand is the most dexterous part of the human body. It is self-evident that the health and comfort of the hand brings convenience to work, and safety gloves provide important protection for the hand. But how to choose safety gloves, we often hear some questions:
- Will workers be exposed to extreme heat or cold? for how long?
- What about scrapes and puncture wounds?
- Are you protecting from chemical splashes or complete submersion?
- Do workers need shock-resistant gloves?
- What should I do if the environment is wet and greasy?
- What gloves do I need for fine work?
- and many more.
This article will give you a detailed introduction to the important tips for choosing safety gloves, hoping to help you.
What are Safety Gloves?
Safety gloves are designed to protect workers' hands from various hazards and can prevent exposure to chemicals, cuts, scrapes, burns, punctures, electric shocks, and other work hazards.
Why Use Safety Gloves?
The human hand is a very complex instrument that can perform a variety of tasks. If it is seriously injured, it may not be able to handle the necessary tasks with sufficient strength and precision. In worst-case scenarios, hand injuries can disable workers for life. There is a wide range of potential hazards in the hands of different trades. For example, workers in a manufacturing plant may need to protect their hands from being crushed, cut or stabbed by heavy machinery. Employees in chemical plants must protect their hands from exposure to harmful chemicals, cleaning agents, and other elements that can cause severe allergic reactions.
How to choose safety gloves?
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Understand the risks
Every workplace is different, so managers and security personnel should take the time to analyze possible risks to employees. The three main hazards that every employer should be aware of include extreme temperatures, sharp objects such as broken glass, and exposure to hazardous chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin.
Before purchasing safety gloves for workers, employers should conduct a comprehensive safety assessment of their workplace. If employers don't know how to identify these risks, they should consult a safety professional for more information.
When assessing these potential risks, employers should install guards and other types of safety measures to limit worker access to sharp or dangerous equipment.
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Understand the nature of work
Depending on the job, employers should look for gloves with a strong, rigid grip pattern so their workers can still use tools and grab other objects without losing control, even when working in wet conditions.
Some gloves are made for use in specific trades, such as utility workers, maintenance personnel and landscaping professionals.
Managers and their employees may need to protect themselves from more than one type of hazard at the same time. Refer to the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure that the product can withstand multiple threats without putting workers at risk.
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Choose the right material
Safety gloves are made from a variety of materials and are suitable for a variety of applications.
Disposable gloves, such as those made from latex rubber or nitrile rubber, are inexpensive and provide protection against accidental contact and the spread of infectious disease; however, they offer little protection against industrial chemicals, cuts, and abrasions.
Gloves made from Viton, polyvinyl alcohol and PVC provide excellent protection against a wide variety of industrial gases and hazards. However, they are not designed to protect against every hazard and should only be used in certain situations.
Hypothermic gloves are considered the gold standard when it comes to preventing frostbite and protecting team members from extreme temperatures, but they may not protect against industrial chemicals.
Kevlar gloves are a great option for preventing cuts when handling sharp objects or tools with minimal protection from hazardous chemicals.
Workers should also wear high-visibility gloves when working outdoors in winter, at night, or in low-visibility environments. Workers should always be able to see their hands when working on site. Hi-vis gloves feature a neon, highly reflective patch for increased visibility.
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Choose the right size
When it comes to protecting workers from sharp objects and industrial chemicals, it's best to use well-fitting gloves that match the size and shape of the human hand. Managers should keep a range of clothing in different sizes and fits on-site to ensure team members can find what they need before starting their shift.
Some gloves may lose shape over time. Every worker should have enough time to make sure their gloves fit. They may need to wear additional PPE in addition to gloves to limit the amount of skin exposed. Personnel's gloves and sleeves should fit securely together, thereby reducing the chance of personnel exposure.
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Check before each shift
Workers and managers should make it a habit to check safety gloves before the start of each shift. A quick visual inspection will help team members identify potential issues. Everyone should be on the lookout for cuts, tears, and other openings in gloves that could pose a hazard to workers. Discoloration and stiffness can also be warning signs. This could mean that the outer material is losing its ability to protect the wearer from dangerous chemicals and gases.
Ideally, gloves should seal completely. Workers can try filling the glove with water or compressed air, then fasten the wrist to check for leaks. If water or air is coming from the sides, it's time to invest in a new pair of safety gloves.
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Proper Storage and Maintenance
Each pair of gloves should be stored according to the manufacturer's guidelines. This usually means storing the gloves in a dry place at room temperature. Workers should return these gloves to their preferred position at the end of their shift. This helps protect the glove from daily wear and tear, ensuring a long service life.
Safety gloves come in many different sizes and styles, so managers need to do their research before equipping employees for the job at hand. Minor hand injuries can delay productivity while incurring a host of additional costs. It is always best to solve or avoid problematic hazards. If that's not possible, every worker should have access to high-quality safety gloves suitable for every task. Use this information to keep you and your team's hands safe in any situation.
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