HANDPROTECTIONMONTHLY TAILGATEOF SAFETY

INFORMATION

ISSUE

426H

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General Duty ClauseSection 5 of theOccupational Safety andHealth Act (OSHA) of 1970:

(a)(1) Each employer shallfurnish to each of his employeesemployment and a place ofemployment which are free fromrecognized hazards that arecausing or are likely to causedeath or serious physical harmto his employees;

(a)(2) shall comply withoccupational safety and healthstandards promulgated underthis Act.

(b) Each employee shall complywith occupational safety andhealth standards and all rules,regulations, and orders issuedpursuant to this Act which areapplicable to his own actionsand conduct.

OSHA RegulationsRecordkeeping29 CFR 1904.7Construction29 CFR 1926.95General Industry29 CFR 1910.13229 CFR 1910.13829 CFR 1910.252

Page 1Introduction

Guidelines for HandProtection

Page 2Types of Gloves

Conclusion

ehs International, Inc. 855-2-EHSINC [855-234-7462]1

In this issue

IntroductionThe hands are used in virtually all jobs that pertain to the construction, manufacturing, andservice industry and are prone to injuries from several hazards. Nearly 150,000 injuries to thehands and fingers are reported each year. Gloves are made for virtually every application,from simple cloth utility to steel mesh cut resistant gloves. OSHA regulations state that:“Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection whenemployee's hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmfulsubstances, severe cuts or lacerations, severe abrasions, punctures, chemical burns, thermalburns, and harmful temperature extremes”.

Guidelines for Hand ProtectionOne of the most important steps for protecting your hands is to make sure that all guards arein place and secure on the machines and power tools on your jobsite and/or workplace. While working with substances that may cause skin irritation such as chemical burns,wear chemical resistant or heavy rubber gloves.

Electrically insulated gloves are needed for working with electrical hazards.

Wear cut resistant metal mesh or Kevlar gloves and take special care while working with glass,sheet metal, or any material that has the potential to cut and tear.

Wear heavy leather, or nitrile coated work gloves to protect your hands while working with, orcarrying, block, stone, brick, and concrete that will chafe and tear your skin, in addition thechemicals in mortar and concrete can irritate the skin. While carrying heavy or slippery objects, wear gloves designed for a non-slip grip to preventslipping and protect your hands.

When operating equipment or tools which cause severe shock and vibration, use special anti-vibration gloves which are made to minimize the possibility of injury to the hands from shockand vibration.

When working with hot materials, such as welding or using cutting torches, wear welders gloves, or aluminized heat resistant gloves. In extremely cold temperatures, wear heavilyinsulated thermal gloves.

Do not wear gloves while operating power tools or machinery where a risk of entanglementmay occur. Many unnecessary accidents occur each year because an employee was wearinggloves that became caught in moving parts. Often these accidents result in a loss of fingers orhands.

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ehs International, Inc. 855-2-EHSINC [855-234-7462]

Abatix is a national supplier of products for the Fire and Water Restoration,Environmental, Industrial Safety, Petrochemical, General Construction, Energy, Hospital, and Disaster Response industries supporting customersacross the nation with outstanding service and thousands of products.Visit www.abatix.com or call 888-222-8499 for more information.

MCR’s Forceflex HV100 gloves are ergonomically designedwith rough Kevlar® palm pads to increase grip in dry, wet oroily conditions. Clarino® synthetic leather palm base materialwith breathable/expandable fourchettes and mesh fabric backcombine for personal fit and comfort. Additional EVA (EthyleneVinyl Acetate) foam padding in rough Kevlar® palm pads aidimpact resistance.

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Types of GlovesLeather Gloves• Protect against sparks, moderate heat, blows, chips, and rough objects.• Welders in particular need the durability of higher-quality leather gloves.Aluminized Gloves• Provide reflective and insulating protection against heat.• Usually used for welding, furnace, and foundry work.• Require an insert made of synthetic materials that protect against heat/cold.• Asbestos inserts are prohibited.Aramid Fiber Gloves• Aramid is a synthetic material that protects against heat and cold.• Many glove manufacturers use aramid fiber to make gloves that are cut- and abrasive-resistant.Other Synthetic Materials• Gloves with other synthetic fabrics offer protection against heat and cold.• Cut- and abrasive-resistant and may withstand some diluted acids.• Do not stand up well against alkalis and solvents.Fabric and Coated Fabric Gloves• Gloves made of cotton or other fabric protect against dirt, slivers, chafing, and abrasion but do not provide sufficient protection to be used with rough, sharp or heavy materials.• Cotton flannel gloves coated with plastic transform fabric gloves into general-purpose hand protection offering slip-resistant qualities.• Coated fabric gloves are used for tasks ranging from handling bricks and wire rope to handling chemical containers in laboratory operations.• For protection against chemical exposure hazards, always check with the manufacturer to determine the gloves’ effectiveness against the specific chemicals and conditions in the workplace.Chemical and Liquid-Resistant Gloves• Gloves made of rubber (latex, nitrile, or butyl), plastic, or synthetic rubber-like material such as neoprene protect workers from burns, irritation, and dermatitis caused by contact with oils, greases, solvents, and other chemicals.• Use of rubber gloves also reduces the risk of exposure to blood and other potentially infectious substances.Butyl Rubber Gloves• Protect against nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrofluoric acid, red fuming nitric acid, rocket fuels, and peroxide• Resist oxidation and ozone corrosion.• Resist abrasion and remain flexible at low temperatures.Natural Latex or Rubber Gloves• Comfortable wear and pliability along with their protective qualities make them a popular general purpose glove• Resist abrasions caused by sandblasting, grinding, and polishing and protect workers’ hands from most water solutions of acids, alkalis, salts, and ketones• Hypoallergenic gloves, glove liners, and powderless gloves possible alternatives for those allergic to latex.

2

You Should Know

Why hand protection isnecessary

How protective gloveswill protect you

The limitations of theprotective equipmentsupplied

How to properly put onthe gloves

How to ensure acomfortable/effective fit

How to identify signs ofwear

How to clean anddisinfect protective gloves

Visit us on the web:www.ehsInc.orgwww.Abatix.com

ResourcesOSHA - OccupationalSafety and HealthAdministrationwww.osha.gov

Currently there are 25states that develop andoperate their own safetyand health programs inthe workplace so be sureto check if your stateapplies.