More than one-third of all workplace accidents involve hand injuries (and these injuries potentially cost as much as $26,000 each).
OUR hands are two the most valuable and widely used tools in the workplace. Proper glove selection is essential in protecting these tools from on-the-job hazards. All too often, workers are faced with a very limited understanding of why hand protection is needed or even how to select a glove properly for their application. The wrong glove often is selected for the job task, which risks injury to the worker or a loss in productivity.
Gloves used by workers today must not only perform to the task for which they are selected, but also fit well and provide sufficient levels of comfort so workers will make a conscious choice to wear them. However, the requirements for performance, fit, and comfort vary from application to application. Over the years, studies have confirmed that the comfort level of a pair of gloves directly affects a worker's willingness to wear the gloves. If the gloves do not fit properly or are uncomfortable to wear, the worker will, more than likely, prefer to work without gloves. Of course, unprotected hands are much more susceptible to injury and exposure to harmful substances, which can lead to increased medical and worker's compensation costs, a drop in productivity, or a decline in employee morale.
Knowing which type of glove works for the job task will greatly increase worker safety and productivity. It is important to remember that no single glove will provide protection in all applications or against every hazard or substances. By choosing the right material and construction, gloves should protect the hands from the hazards for which they were selected. It is essential that employers and their employees know which gloves are suitable for their tasks. Correct selection is important both to remain in compliance with OSHA's general hand protection standard found in 29 CFR 1910.138 and to protect workers from injury. With more than one-third of all workplace accidents involving hand injuries (and these injuries potentially costing as much as $26,000 per injury), many companies are continuing to focus on gloves that provide their workers with the best hand protection possible. According to OSHA Fact Sheet 93-03, the financial cost of these injuries is more than $300 million per year in lost production time, medical expenses, and worker's compensation.
Even though OSHA has established guidelines regarding hand protection, glove selection ultimately rests with the employer by conducting a hazard risk assessment. This selection is influenced not only by how well the products protect the workers, but also by how the products and their costs affect the company's bottom line.
This article originally appeared in the June 2007 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.
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