Hand and Arm Protection
Gloves and Sleeves
Protective gloves and sleeves help protect workers from chemical exposure, contamination, cuts, abrasions, and electrical hazards.
Chemical Resistant Gloves
They help protect workers from a variety of workplace hazards, including chemical exposure, contamination, cuts, abrasions, punctures, and electrical hazards.
Selecting the correct glove material is critical because no single type of glove protects against all chemicals or hazards. Below is a summary of the types of glove materials and compatibility.
Nitrile Gloves. Nitrile gloves are commonly used in hazardous material operations because they provide good protection against oils, fuels, and many solvents. They also offer good resistance to punctures and abrasions.
Neoprene Gloves. Neoprene gloves provide good protection against acids, caustics, alcohols, and some solvents. They remain flexible over a wide range of temperatures.
Butyl Rubber Gloves. Butyl rubber gloves provide excellent protection against gases, ketones, and highly corrosive acids. They are often used when working with very hazardous chemicals.
Natural Rubber (Latex) Gloves. Natural rubber gloves are flexible and provide protection against some mild chemicals and water-based solutions. However, they are not suitable for many solvents or petroleum products.
PVC Gloves. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gloves provide protection against acids, bases, oils, and some chemicals. They are often used in wet or chemical handling environments.
Laminated Film Gloves. Laminated gloves are made of several protective layers and provide very high chemical resistance. They are often used when handling highly hazardous chemicals or unknown mixtures.
Leather Gloves. Leather is porous and absorbent. Because of this, leather does not provide reliable chemical resistance compared with materials like nitrile, neoprene, or butyl rubber. Under OSHA HAZWOPER guidance, chemical-resistant materials are typically selected based on chemical compatibility charts, not natural materials like leather.
Protective Sleeves. Protective sleeves extend protection from the wrist to the upper arm. They are commonly used when there is a risk of chemical splashes or contamination of the forearm. Sleeves may be made from materials such as Tychem®, Tyvek®, PVC, neoprene, or butyl rubber.
Inspection and Use. Workers should inspect gloves and sleeves before each use for holes, tears, or signs of degradation. Damaged gloves should never be used. Contaminated gloves must be removed carefully to prevent chemicals from contacting the skin.
Double Gloving. In some hazardous operations, workers may wear two layers of gloves. The outer glove provides chemical protection, while the inner glove provides an additional barrier if the outer glove becomes damaged.
Chemical Compatibility Chart (General Guide).
| Glove Material | Acids | Bases | Oils & Fuels | Organic Solvents | Ketones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrile | Good | Good | Excellent | Good | Fair |
| Neoprene | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good | Fair |
| Butyl Rubber | Excellent | Good | Poor | Good | Excellent |
| Natural Rubber | Good | Good | Poor | Poor | Poor |
| PVC | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
| Laminated Film | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Important Note. Compatibility ratings are general guidelines only. Workers should always consult Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and manufacturer chemical resistance charts when selecting protective gloves.
Overgloves
Overgloves. Overgloves are worn over primary chemical-resistant gloves to provide an additional layer of protection. Their main purpose is to protect the inner gloves from punctures, cuts, abrasions, and contamination. This helps extend the service life of more expensive chemical-resistant gloves made from materials such as butyl rubber, nitrile, or laminate films.
Material and Use. Overgloves are commonly made from durable materials such as leather, heavy nitrile, neoprene, or cut-resistant fabrics. They are often used when workers must handle rough surfaces, sharp objects, tools, or debris that could damage the inner protective glove.
Protection Strategy. In hazardous waste operations, the inner glove typically provides chemical resistance while the outer glove provides mechanical protection. If the outer glove becomes torn or heavily contaminated, it should be replaced immediately to maintain protection.
Disposable Gloves
Disposable Gloves. Disposable gloves are single-use gloves designed to be discarded after use. They are commonly used in hazardous material operations because they reduce the need for decontamination and help prevent cross-contamination between work areas.
Common Materials. Disposable gloves are usually made from nitrile, latex, vinyl, or polyethylene. Nitrile gloves are the most widely used in hazardous material work because they provide better resistance to many chemicals, oils, and solvents.
Proper Use. Disposable gloves should be inspected before use and replaced immediately if they become torn, punctured, or heavily contaminated. Workers should never attempt to wash or reuse disposable gloves. After removal, gloves must be disposed of according to site contamination control procedures.
Double Gloving. In higher-risk tasks, workers may wear two layers of disposable gloves. The outer glove can be removed if it becomes contaminated, allowing work to continue while maintaining protection with the inner glove.
Best Practices
- Wear jacket cuffs over glove cuffs will prevent liquid from entering the glove.
- Tape-seal gloves to sleeves to provide additional protection.
- Inspect gloves and sleeves for holes, tears, or degradation before use.
- Replace damaged or contaminated gloves immediately.
- Avoid touching the face or other exposed skin with contaminated gloves.
- Remove gloves carefully to avoid skin contact with hazardous materials.
- Wash hands thoroughly after removing gloves.
- Dispose of contaminated gloves according to hazardous waste procedures.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
9-9. What can you do to provide additional protection when wearing gloves?
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