1. CHOOSING THE RIGHT GLOVE by Sheryl Hoffmann BSc, Grad Dip Occ Health

2. WHY DO WE WEAR GLOVES? Mechanical hazards  Cuts  Punctures including needles and broken glass  Friction / Abrasion Thermal  Contact with extreme cold  Contact with extreme heat  Flame  Radiant heat  Molten metals Biological  Microgiological Organisms  Enzymes  Irritatant plants  Sensitisers

3. WHY DO WE WEAR GLOVES? Vibration Electric Shock Radiation Chemicals  Corrosive eg acids  Toxic eg pesticides, laboratory chemicals  Provoke allergic reactions / sensitisers eg latex  Prolonged contact with water  Contact with dirt, oil and grease

4. WHEN SHOULD GLOVES BE WORN?  Protective gloves should be worn when a risk assessment of the task to be performed, has identify hazards that can be minimised by the wearing of gloves.  The wearing of gloves is the least desirable alternative when selecting a control measure using the Hierarchy of Controls. Often they are worn if other more preferred measures, do not sufficiently minimise the risks.

5. ALTERNATIVES TO GLOVES Rather than immersing hands in to a container of chemicals consider the use of:  Forceps  Crucible Tongs  Baskets  A magnetic flea retriever Dishwashers are an alternate to washing glassware by hand

6. PROBLEMS WITH GLOVES  Reduced dexterity  Reduced tactile sensation  Accumulation of sweat  Allergic reactions  Time to put on and take off  Poor fit or comfort  Cost  Maintenance and cleaning  Inconvenient and interference with the work  Workplace conditions – heat, wet work, repetitive movement

7. WHAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN SELECTING GLOVES?  Hazards to be protected against  Size  Comfort and fit  Glove construction  Liners  Disposable or reusable  Level of Dexterity  Ensure No Additional Hazards Are Introduced  Risks From Chemical Exposure

8. SIZE

9. WHAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN SELECTING GLOVES?  Hazards to be protected against  Size  Comfort and fit  Glove construction  Liners  Disposable or reusable  Level of Dexterity  Ensure No Additional Hazards Are Introduced  Risks From Chemical Exposure

10. GLOVE CONSTRUCTION  Supported vs Unsupported  Cuffs & Cuff length – gauntlet  Seamed vs Knitted

11. WHAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN SELECTING GLOVES?  Hazards to be protected against  Size  Comfort and fit  Glove construction  Liners  Disposable or reusable  Level of Dexterity  Ensure No Additional Hazards Are Introduced  Risks From Chemical Exposure

12. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GLOVES MATERIAL There are three factors that affect the physical characteristics of glove material:  degradation  permeation  breakthrough time

13. DEGRADATION  The chemical changes the physical and/or chemical properties of the glove.  This is often (but not always) visible to the naked eye.  Signs of degradation include swelling, loss of flexibility, tackiness etc

14. PENETRATION

15. PERMEATION

16. There are two factors to consider when looking at permeation of a chemical through a glove.  Permeation rate - the rate at which a substance permeates the glove material.  Breakthrough time - the time elapsed between initial contact of a chemical with the outside surface of the glove material and the time at which the chemical can be detected at the inside surface of the material

17. PERMEATION

18. WEARING, CLEANING AND DISPOSAL  Wash hands before and after using gloves  Cover cuts with a non-absorbent dressing  Inspect the glove prior to use  Replace disposable gloves often  Never reuse disposable gloves  Reused non-disposable gloves with caution  Store gloves away from direct sunlight or extremes of temperature.

19. AS/NZS 2161 - Occupational Protective Gloves  Part 1 – Selection, use and maintenance  Part 2 – General requirements  Part 3 – Protection against mechanical risks  Part 4 - Protection against thermal risks (heat and fire)  Part 5 - Protection against cold  Part 6 – Protective gloves for fire-fighters  Part 7 - Protection against cuts and stabs by hand knives  Part 8 - Protection against Ionizing radiation and radioactive contamination  Part 9 – Method of measurement and evaluation of the vibration transmissibility of gloves at the palm of the hand  Part 10 – Protective gloves against chemicals and microorganisms

20. MECHANICAL HAZARDS

22. HEAT

23. COLD

24. CHEMICAL

25. EXAMPLES OF GLOVES FOR THE LABORATORY OFFICER  Nitrile  Latex  Ansell Super Glove  Leather gauntlet  Maxicut  Vinyl Food handling

26. EXAMPLES OF GLOVES FOR STUDENTS  Latex (& Nitrite is allergic)  Polyethylene

27. OTHER GLOVES

29.  Black Nitrile  Pro-Val catalogue  HexArmor