To All University Employees

 

Not All Gloves Are Created Equal

August 1997

Could you imagine trying to play handball with a first baseman's mitt? How about a major league catcher using a golf glove to catch that fast ball! Ridiculous you say? In sports it is very important to choose the right glove to suit the intended use. Well, in the workplace that exact same rule applies. Every glove is designed to accommodate a different task and most importantly to prevent serious hand injuries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 1995 there were 220,000 hand injuries and 400,000 finger injuries in the United States. Together these accounted for the second highest injury rate to a body part---back injuries being number one at 900,000. Many of these injuries could have been prevented if the proper protective gloves were worn on the job.

You don't have to be a safety expert to properly choose the correct glove for the task. But the selection you make is an important one since each glove is specifically designed for a particular task. To properly choose the proper glove carefully analyze the job before you begin to determine what hazards need to be guarded against. For example, will the hands be exposed to slivers or jagged edges? Are there very sharp cutting edges involved in the task? Is exposure to chemicals a possibility? In other words, choose the hand protection according to the hazards of the job. Here are some general guidelines that can be used:

Cloth or canvas gloves are most effective in protecting your hands against dirt, rough surfaces, wood slivers, and some temperature ranges.

Leather gloves will protect your hands against sparks, chips, ragged and jagged edges, and moderate heat.

Electricians rubber gloves should always be worn when working on or near electrical equipment.

Metal mesh gloves should be worn when working with tools having sharp blades, sheet metal or any other surface that can cut. Never wear metal mesh gloves when working on or near electrical equipment

Aluminized gloves will provide protection against flames and extremely high temperatures.

Impervious gloves (neoprene, latex, vinyl, PVC etc.) should be worn when handling chemicals and hazardous substances that may damage the skin. Since there are so many different types of impervious gloves it is important to make sure that the one you choose will protect you against the substances with which you are working.

Choose your gloves carefully and avoid becoming a statistic. !!!

Your hands are also susceptible to a variety of other injuries that even gloves cannot prevent. Crushing blows to the hand and accidents involving power tools are also a leading cause of serious hand injuries. Remember today's laceration could be tomorrow's amputation. A sad commentary to accidents that are 100% avoidable. Just as you would take care of your best tool or piece of machinery treat your hands with the same care---they deserve it. Here are some precautions that you should consider when working that could possibly prevent serious hand accidents from occurring.

Never use your hands to perform a task that can be performed by a tool. For example, use a brush or a rag to wipe away debris---not your hands.

Never wear rings, bracelets or other hand jewelry when working with power tools with moving parts.

Keep machine guards in place and in good working order.

Always be aware of pinch and nip points (i.e., gears, pulleys, hinges) of each job. Avoid placing hands and fingers near these points.

Treat all minor injuries such as cuts and abrasions immediately.

Never ignore the first signs of dermatitis or other skin disorders.

Pay attention to the job and take care of your most valuable tool---your hands.

If you have any questions concerning proper hand protection please call EOHS at Ext. 3700.

Don't become another statistic---work safely.

BACK TO SAFETY BULLETINS

EOHS HOME