Injuries to the hand are the second most common type of workplace injury. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has reported that 70.9 percent of hand and arm injuries could have been prevented with personal protective equipment, specifically safety gloves. Yet, 70 percent of workers don’t wear hand protection, and of those who do, 30 percent don’t wear the right kind of glove for the task.
THE RIGHT WORK GLOVE FOR THE JOB
Wondering how to pick the best hand protection? Selecting the right material and thickness is critical because not all gloves offer the same level of protection, flexibility, or comfort. The first step is to perform a job-hazard analysis to identify worksite risks. Global Industrial can help you match the needs identified from the analysis with the right gloves:
Cut-resistant gloves offer protection in settings where sharp blades or other tools are involved. Choose from options made of metal mesh or high-strength yarns.
Cold-resistant gloves provide protection against wintry conditions and cold storage. Look for multi-layer gloves with an inner insulation layer and a tough exterior.
High-heat-resistant gloves are ideal for working near flames or hot objects that increase your risk of workplace burns or injuries. Choose work gloves that can withstand high temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Welding gloves not only offer high-heat resistance, but they also provide forearm protection.
Impact-resistant and anti-vibration gloves reduce injuries and hand fatigue from high-impact work like hammering and drilling.
Chemical-resistant gloves include multi-layer materials perfect for labs and health care settings. These gloves protect skin from corrosive acids, esters, and ketones.
High-visibility gloves are critical for construction zones, dark or wintry conditions, and other job sites where visibility may be low. Choose from high-visibility PPE in yellows, greens, and oranges.
Electrical-rated gloves provide voltage class ratings for both low- or high-voltage scenarios.
All-purpose work gloves give all-purpose protection to the skin when handling abrasive materials or heavy loads.
Most employers have Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) rules. Ask them about hand protection to ensure you are using the best safety gloves suited for your job. Doing so may help prevent injury.
Excerpted from: https://www.globalindustrial.com/knowledge-center/article/hand-protection-101-how-to-pick-the-right-work-gloves-for-the-job
