Your Hands Matter

Protecting your fingers and hands is important for your work and quality of life. Work-related hand injuries are one of the leading reasons workers end up in the emergency room and miss work. Damage to the nerves in your fingers and hands, loss of a finger, a skin burn, or allergic reaction can all negatively impact the quality of your work, your productivity, or worse – end your career and seriously detract from your quality of life. The cost of these types of injuries and illnesses to the business is estimated to be hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

As per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) reports, there are more than 1,000,000 hand injuries a year and a further 20% of disabling workplace injuries involve the hands. The primary cause of hand injuries is equipment not performing as expected. The injury types can be classified as follows:

• Lacerations     63%
• Crush              13%
• Avulsion            8%
• Puncture            6%
• Fracture             5%

Risk assessment

The most effective and reliable way to prevent problems in the workplace is to design and operate processes to avoid contact with hazardous materials. Employers should take every step possible to reduce risk before resorting to the use of protective gloves.

A task-specific risk assessment needs to be carried out to determine the need for protective measures and to determine what measures are the most reasonably practicable for your organization.

Effective control measures usually consist of a mixture of process and/or workplace modifications, applied controls, and methods of working that minimise exposure and make the best use of controls. This mix regularly includes the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The first step in any risk assessment is to identify the potential hazards and consequences of exposure to these hazards.

“OSHA reports there are more than 1,000,000 hand injuries a year”

Potential hazards to hands and arms

Potential hazards to hands and arms include skin absorption of harmful substances, chemical or thermal burns, electrical dangers, bruises, abrasions, cuts, punctures, fractures or amputations. Relevant protective equipment available includes gloves, finger guards and arm coverings.

Employers should explore all possible engineering and work practice controls to eliminate hazards, and use PPE to provide additional protection against hazards that cannot be completely eliminated through other means. For example, machine guards may eliminate a hazard; installing a barrier to prevent workers from placing their hands at the point of contact between a table saw blade and the item being cut, is another method.

There are a number of different hazards that can cause harm to the hands and arms in the workplace:

Vibrating equipment – hand and arm vibration

In light of a recently completed, comprehensive study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the institute concludes that vibrating hand tools can cause vibration syndrome – the vibration transmitted from work processes into workers’ hands and arms. It can be caused by operating hand-held power tools such as road breakers, hand-guided equipment such as lawn mowers, or by holding materials being processed by machines such as pedestal grinders. Prolonged and regular exposure to this vibration can affect the operator’s health, resulting in painful and disabling disorders of the nerves, blood supply, joints, and muscles of the hands and arms. These disorders are collectively known as hand-arm vibration syndrome.

Repetitive actions – work related upper limb disorders

Continuous repetitive actions on the hands, wrists and arms can lead to reduced functionality of the hands and arms. Many office workers experience this while at work. In many cases, the symptoms can continue out of the workplace and lead to daily discomfort and often long-term effects. In the Netherlands alone, there is concern about the proportion of RSI related complaints among workers who are classified as users of Visual Display Units. According to some indications, this could affect more than 50% of workers in some sectors. (https://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/reports/303).

Chemical exposure – dermatitis, skin absorption, and sensitisation

Dermal exposure is a major route of occupational exposure to hazardous substances. Different chemicals have different adverse effects on the hands and arms, from mild irritation to contact dermatitis or corrosive burns. A large proportion of the workforce may be exposed to both naturally occurring and man-made chemicals while at work, and without adequate risk assessment and controls, the results of this exposure can be detrimental. In EU Member States, skin diseases are the second most common occupational diseases, with contact dermatitis being the most common. Other work-related skin diseases include chemical burns, contact urticarial (a skin rash notable for pale red, raised, itchy bumps which they may also cause a burning or stinging sensation) and skin cancer.

Extreme temperatures

Thermal burns are caused by working with hot surfaces, hot liquids, vapours, gases or heating systems. Exposure to both extreme heat or extreme cold can cause harm to hands and arms in the form of burns.

Mechanical equipment – lacerations, cuts and entanglement

Using mechanical equipment in the workplace can easily lead to cuts and abrasions if the correct precautions are not taken. In more severe cases, fingers or even limbs can get caught in equipment, leading to entanglement and even amputation. Industries most affected by this are agriculture, construction and engineering.

Gloves standards  

The main PPE used to protect hands and arms are gloves. There are a number of European Standards that govern the production of gloves, such as EN 420:2003, which outlines the general requirements for protective gloves, and EN ISO 10819:1997, which covers gloves marketed as ‘anti-vibration’. The latter must carry the CE mark, indicating that the gloves have been tested and found to meet the requirements of the current standard.

The standards also include gloves that give protection from:

• Chemicals and microorganisms –  EN374:2003
• Mechanical risks –  EN388:2003
• Thermal hazards –  EN407:2004
• Cold –  EN511:2006
• Radioactive contamination and ionizing radiation –  EN421:2010

Types of protective gloves

There are many types of gloves available today to protect against a wide variety of hazards. The nature of the hazard and the operation involved will affect the selection of gloves. The previously mentioned potential occupational hand injuries makes selecting the right pair of gloves challenging. In general, gloves fall into the following four categories:

1. Leather, canvas or metal mesh gloves

Sturdy gloves made from metal mesh, leather or canvas provide protection against cuts and burns. Leather or canvas gloves also protect against sustained heat. 

Leather gloves protect against sparks, moderate heat, blows, chips and rough objects.

Aluminised gloves provide reflective and insulating protection against heat and require an insert made of synthetic materials to protect against heat and cold.

Aramid fibre gloves protect against heat and cold, are cut and abrasive resistant, and wear well.

“the nature of the hazard and the operation involved will affect the selection of gloves”

Synthetic gloves of various materials offer protection against heat and cold, are cut and abrasive resistant, and may withstand some diluted acids. These materials do not stand up against alkalis and solvents.  

2. Fabric and coated fabric gloves

Fabric and coated fabric gloves are made of cotton or other fabrics to provide varying degrees of protection. 

Fabric gloves protect against dirt, slivers, chafing and abrasions. They do not provide sufficient protection for use with rough, sharp or heavy materials. Adding a plastic coating will strengthen some fabric gloves. 

Coated fabric gloves are normally made from cotton flannel with napping on one side. By coating the un-napped side with plastic, fabric gloves are transformed into general-purpose hand protection offering slip-resistant qualities.

These gloves are used for tasks ranging from handling bricks and wire to chemical laboratory containers. When selecting gloves to protect against chemical exposure hazards, always check with the manufacturer or review the manufacturer’s product literature to determine the gloves’ effectiveness against specific workplace chemicals and conditions. 

3. Chemical and liquid resistant gloves

Chemical resistant gloves are made with different kinds of rubber, such as natural, butyl, neoprene, nitrile and fluorocarbon; or various kinds of plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene. These materials can be blended or laminated for better performance. As a general rule, the thicker the glove material, the greater the chemical resistance. However, thick gloves may impair grip and dexterity, thus having a negative impact on safety.

Some examples of chemical-resistant gloves: 

Butyl gloves are made of a synthetic rubber and protect against a wide variety of chemicals, such as peroxide, rocket fuels, highly corrosive acids (nitric acid, sulphuric acid, hydrofluoric acid and red-fuming nitric acid), strong bases, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters and nitro-compounds. Butyl gloves also resist oxidation, ozone corrosion and abrasion, and remain flexible at low temperatures. Butyl rubber does not perform well with aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and halogenated solvents.

Natural (latex) rubber gloves are comfortable to wear, which makes them a popular general-purpose glove. They feature outstanding tensile strength, elasticity and temperature resistance. In addition to resisting abrasions caused by grinding and polishing, these gloves protect workers’ hands from most water solutions of acids, alkalis, salts and ketones. Latex gloves have caused allergic reactions in some individuals and may not be appropriate for all employees. Hypoallergenic gloves, glove liners and powderless gloves are possible alternatives for workers who are allergic to latex.

“gloves will reduce the risk of laceration, abrasion and puncture injuries, which account for about 70% of hand injuries”

Neoprene gloves are made of synthetic rubber and offer good pliability, finger dexterity, high density and tear resistance. They protect against hydraulic fluids, gasoline, alcohols, organic acids and alkalis. They generally have chemical and wear resistance properties superior to those made of natural rubber.

Nitrile gloves are made of a copolymer and provide protection from chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene. Although intended for jobs requiring dexterity and sensitivity, nitrile gloves stand up to heavy use, even after prolonged exposure to substances that cause other gloves to deteriorate. They offer protection when working with oils, greases, acids, caustics and alcohols, but are generally not recommended for use with strong oxidizing agents, aromatic solvents, ketones and acetates.

4. Insulating rubber gloves

Insulating rubber gloves are gloves used for protection against electrical hazards. They are classified by the level of voltage and protection they provide.

Selection factors

There are several factors besides material to consider when selecting the appropriate glove. The amount of dexterity needed to perform a particular manipulation must be weighed against the glove material recommended for maximum chemical resistance. In some cases, particularly when working with delicate objects where fine dexterity is crucial, a bulky glove may actually be more of a hazard.

Dexterity

Where fine dexterity is needed, consider double gloving with a less compatible material, immediately removing and replacing the outer glove if there are any signs of contamination. In some cases, it may be possible to wear a tight-fitting glove over the loose glove to increase the overall dexterity.

Glove thickness

Usually they are measured in mils or gauge. A 10-gauge glove is equivalent to 10 mils or 0.01 inches. Thinner, lighter gloves offer better touch sensitivity and flexibility, but may provide shorter break through times. Generally, doubling the thickness of the glove quadruples the break through time.

Glove length

This should be chosen based on the depth to which the arm will be immersed or where chemical splash is likely. Gloves longer than 14 inches provide extra protection against splash or immersion.

Glove size

One size does not fit all. Gloves which are too tight tend to cause fatigue, while gloves which are too loose will have loose finger ends which make work more difficult. The circumference of the hand, measured in inches, is roughly equivalent to the reported glove size. Moreover, glove colour, cuff design, and lining should also be considered for some tasks.

Care of protective gloves

Protective gloves should be inspected before each use to ensure that they are not torn, punctured, or made ineffective in any way. A visual inspection will help detect cuts or tears, but a more thorough inspection – by filling the gloves with water and tightly rolling the cuff towards the fingers – will help reveal any pinhole leaks. Gloves that are discoloured or stiff may also indicate deficiencies caused by excessive use or degradation from chemical exposure.

Any gloves with impaired protective ability should be discarded and replaced. Reuse of chemical-resistant gloves should be evaluated carefully, taking into consideration the absorptive qualities of the gloves. A decision to reuse chemically exposed gloves should consider the toxicity of the chemicals involved, and factors such as duration of exposure, storage and temperature.

Disposable gloves should be changed when there is any sign of contamination.  Reusable gloves should be washed frequently if used for an extended period of time, however, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for washing and caring for reusable gloves.

Rules of thumb  

There are some rules employees should follow while dealing with gloves and hand protection equipment, it can be summarised as follows:

• Inspect gloves for defects like holes, cracks, and other wear before each use, leaks are especially dangerous
• Powder hands to make gloves easier to get into and out of
• Be especially cautious when using any kind of glove with, or near machinery – this is due to the hazard of a part of the glove getting caught in the machinery and drawing a finger or hand into danger
• Wash or rinse reusable gloves according to your company’s cleaning procedures or as per manufacturer’s instructions after each use
• Hold the cuff and pull the glove off so it turns inside out to remove a glove – do not pull on the fingers, this only contaminates hands
• Store reusable gloves away from hot areas because heat can stiffen, shrink, and crack gloves
• Dispose of gloves in special containers
• Clean and dry hands before applying barrier cream

Checklist for training employees to use and care for hand protection

The following can be used as a checklist for training employees on how to use and care for hand protection.

Train your employees to know:

• Why hand protection is necessary, i.e. the workplace hazards that threaten their hands
• How the protective gloves will protect them
• Limitations of the protective equipment you have supplied
• When they must wear the gloves
• How to properly put on the gloves
• How to ensure a comfortable and effective fit
• How to clean and disinfect non-disposable protective gloves

How to identify signs of wear, such as: 

• Cracks, scrapes or lacerations
• Thinning or discoloration
• Break-through to the skin

Conclusion  

The message to take home is that hand injuries can be mitigated if appropriate precautions are taken. The only way to truly manage safety risks is to engineer them out of the workplace. However, safety gloves in their various forms, such as non-slip cotton and cut and puncture resistant, are essential forms of PPE. Gloves will reduce the risk of laceration, abrasion and puncture injuries, which based on injury statistics, account for about 70% of hand injuries. Gloves offer little protection, however, against fracture or crush injuries.

Different types of gloves should be worn to protect hands in most activities. However, when there is a risk of entanglement in rotating equipment, the safer practice is not to wear gloves at all – particularly loose-fitting ones. Workers are encouraged to keep their eyes on their hands when using tools to avoid injuries, including cutting, pinching, crushing and burning. They are advised never to place hands near lifting points or between a load and a fixed object.