Hand protection: Selection matters

The huge growth in the market for industrial hand protection, driven by increasing awareness by employers and wearers of the need to avoid potential accidents and injuries, has led to glove manufacturers offering a large, and sometimes confusing, variety of gloves. Here, uvex offers some tips on glove selection

Selection of the appropriate glove for each specific task, and the hazards involved, is critical to avoid the risk of injury. This is illustrated by the 40,000 hand injuries reported to the HSE by employers in 2009/2010. While this figure reduced to 39,000 in 2010/2011, it clearly emphasises the ned for protection.

The HSE recommends that safety gloves be selected according to the type of work, wearer compatibility and the environment in which the work takes place. It urges that the substances handled and all other hazards should be identified along with the type and duration of contact. Consideration should also be made for the hand size, wearer comfort and task suitability.

Glove selection Before the selection of hand protection is made, the following checklist should be taken into account: Factors the glove is protecting against: Cuts, punctures, abrasion, tears, heat, sparks, biological and mechanical hazards and hand fatigue are commonly considered, but protection from impact, especially to the back of the hand, should not be overlooked.

Dermatological issues: There can be individual risks of allergy or adverse reactions to some gloves leading to eczema or dermatitis, so the option of allergen-free gloves can be beneficial.

The right glove for the application: What is involved? Is it precision work? What is the type, duration and frequency of contact with, for example, grease or water? Different coatings according to the task and circumstances: For example foam coatings for oil grip and repellent ones for wet environments. It is important to maintain good grip and control, especially in greasy, oily, soapy or wet conditions, to avoid accident and injury.

Required dexterity, mobility, durability, comfort and flexibility of the glove; performance, as well as protection is essential.

Cost in use over the life span of the glove: The employer needs to work out how many gloves are used per year. A 'throwaway culture' is encouraged by the provision of poor quality gloves that deteriorate quickly, and there is a huge difference between price and value. The more spent on better quality gloves at the outset, the more savings are made in the long-term.

Benefits of correct selection Using the correct glove benefits both employer and employee. The employer profits from reduced costs and waste, increased efficiency and productivity, improved health and safety, increased acceptance of PPE, the need for lower stock levels and a reduced environmental footprint. The employee benefits through a reduced risk of injury and ill-health.

uvex is a company that can provide hand protection solutions to suit all budgets. It offers advice on which glove to use for the application through its glove surveys and an online chemical selection guide on which glove to use.

A recent addition to the uvex family is the phynomic glove for precision work. This is free from harmful solvents and allergenic substances and offers good fit, functionality and purity. The glove has good grip in both wet and dry conditions. The cut 5 protection of the C500 and cut 3 protection of the C300 gloves with intelligent yarns, manage excess heat and moisture at the same time as protecting the wearer with a high degree of dexterity.

Use of the correct hand protection is an effective way of preventing injury and must be taken seriously. The cost of an injury, a citation or a fine is much higher than the cost of providing the correct hand protection for employees.