Guidelines for the selection of gloves for the workplace. NIOSH

Area of Science:

• Occupational Safety and Health
• Materials Science

Background:

• Workplace safety necessitates appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), with gloves being crucial for hand protection.
• Chemical and physical hazards in the workplace require careful evaluation to determine the necessary protective measures.

Framework:

• A seven-step process guides effective glove selection.
• Key considerations include evaluating alternatives, understanding hazard specifics, and defining material and human performance requirements.

Implementation:

• The primary determinant for glove selection is the worker's protection.
• For chemical hazards, permeation resistance is the critical factor in choosing appropriate gloves.
• Cost is a significant, though secondary, consideration in the selection process.

Implications:

• No single glove material offers universal protection against all chemical and physical hazards.
• Compromises in glove properties are often necessary to balance protection, performance, and cost.
• Effective glove selection protocols enhance worker safety and reduce occupational risks.