Hand & Arm Protection
If a workplace hazard
assessment reveals that employees face potential injury to hands and arms that
cannot be eliminated through engineering and work practice controls, employers
must ensure that employees wear appropriate protection. Potential hazards
include skin absorption of harmful substances, and chemical burns.
Protective equipment
includes gloves, finger guards and arm coverings, or elbow-length gloves.
There are many types
of gloves available today to protect against a wide variety of hazards. The
nature of the hazardous substance and the operation involved will affect the
selection of gloves. It is essential that employees use gloves specifically
designed for the hazardous substances and tasks found in their workplaces,
because gloves designed for one function may not protect against a different
function, even though they may appear to be an appropriate protective device.
The following are
examples of some factors that may influence the selection of protective gloves
for a workplace: