Getting a grip in wet areas
November 1st 2005 A revolutionary new glove coating, Ansell Grip Technology, has just been launched by Ansell. The science behind it suggests it is a major step forward in protecting employees’ health
At the A+A exhibition, held in Dusseldorf, Germany Ansell introduced a revolutionary new glove coating that enhances grip performance when grasping wet or oily objects. Ansell Grip Technology has been validated by the University of Birmingham’s Sensory Motor Neuroscience Laboratory. Oil grip tests on comparable gloves show that gloves with Ansell Grip Technology require from 34-69% less grip force to lift an oily 4.5 kilo object. (1) Tests have shown that over a range of increasing weights, Ansell Grip Technology provides a better wet/oily grip than any other comparable glove available on the market today. In addition to reducing stress and muscle fatigue, Ansell Grip Technology makes regaining control of slipped objects easier, improving not only hand comfort but also worker confidence. For workers, exerting less grip force can positively contribute to preventing the onset of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), tendonitis, De Quervain’s disease and tenosynovitis.
According to the US Centre for Disease Control, there is evidence of a positive association between forceful work and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. (2) Born of repetitive hand/wrist exertions, and exacerbated by the use of force as a risk factor, CTS is the second-most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder after sprains and strains. It consists in a compression of the median nerve at the wrist, that results in numbness, tingling weakness or muscle atrophy in the hand and fingers. A CTS-related injury results in an average of 25 days away from work for a worker, which is even longer than for amputations or fractures.
The painful and often permanently disabling conditions related to CTS generally develop over weeks, months and years and represent an occupational illness "time bomb" for the manufacturing and services sectors in particular. It is estimated that the total direct costs for all musculoskeletal disorders costs the US economy $50 billion annually (source: US OSHA).
Ansell, which has undertaken in-depth analyses of thousands of workstations in over 50 major manufacturing industries in Europe, has established that grip in either wet or dry conditions is perceived as a need by workers at over 89% of workstations.(3) Safety concerns when lifting with a poor grip are frequently cited as a serious safety hazard, as objects might be dropped, resulting in foot injuries or cuts. Ansell Grip Technology provides superior grip whether the environment involves oil, oil-based chemicals, water-based lubricants or other greasy coatings.
Composed of a thin nitrile film onto which an exclusive "roughened surface" is added, this revolutionary technology is designed to deliver exceptional adherence and control in slippery circumstances. The surface is designed to channel a liquid away from the contact area on the glove surface and as the article is being grasped.
Even when objects slip, applying only a minimal force allows operators to regain control, resulting in enhanced comfort and confidence.
"It is well established that exerting excessive force in gripping objects is an aggravating factor leading to increased stress, fatigue and muscle strain", explains François Turmel, business development director, Ansell Europe.
"Our new Grip Technology has been designed to ease the pressure on workers’ hands when handling slippery objects. Its use has also shown a positive impact on safety and productivity in the production plants which have tested it."
Ansell has undertaken a programme to validate grip technology in collaboration with Professor Alan Wing of the University of Birmingham’s Sensory Motor Neuroscience Laboratory. His preliminary testing indicates a notable decrease in the grip force used to lift weights with the Alphatec glove under oily, low friction conditions. According to Professor Wing, "The reduction in grip force is associated with markedly reduced activity in the finger flexor muscles when lifting and gripping using the Alphatec glove." Ansell plans to continue the joint research with the University through further work on ergonomic factors associated with hand movements and muscle exertion.
The first glove to integrate Grip Technology will be a new glove, AlphaTec. AlphaTec is a chemicalresistant knitted and dipped glove designed for the chemical, paint, automotive, metal production, oilfield and mining and the printing industries. In addition to other selected specialist gloves, Ansell Grip Technology" is also being integrated into other popular glove ranges such as the HyFlex.
References (1) Comparison between the new AlphaTec glove incorporating Ansell Grip Technology, the Ansell Sol-Vex 37-675 and competitors’ gloves. Both a power grasp and a precision grasp were tested on oily surfaces.
(2) Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, "Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors", July 1997 and Worker Health Chartbook 2004, Chapter 2
(3) Data extracted from the Ansell Value Proposition" programme databases, 50 major industrial companies (light and heavy manufacturing) More articles from Ansell Healthcare Europe NV: | 
