Hand protection: choosing the correct glove for the task

Authors

• MG Shue

Abstract

Our hands are a valuable asset, and the workplace can be home to many hazards that might result in cuts, burns, or chemical exposures to the hand. Therefore, it is important to assess the risks involved in work tasks and choose an appropriate glove that provides specialized protection for that risk. This poster discusses some of the most common types of hand protection, including examples of gloves meant to protect from physical and/or chemical hazards. The specific examples included for physical hazards are fabric, leather, metal mesh, and aluminized gloves. Gloves meant for protection against chemicals are also compared, including those made of latex, nitrile, polyvinyl chloride and neoprene examples. While certain gloves are more resistant to some chemicals than others, manufacturer guidance on permeability should always be followed. No single glove type provides complete protection against all possible hazards, so the necessity of a comprehensive risk assessment is stressed. The information provided is meant to be an aid in matching the proper hand protection to the task, in conjunction with a complete evaluation of the risk involved.

Scientific Focus Area: Research Support Services

This page was last updated on Friday, March 26, 2021