Safety and instrument products provider Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) Africa reports that industrial safety gloves should not be generic accessories that provide the same level of protection in all applications, but rather, a tool that provides comfort, functionality and performance in job-specific applications.

MSA Africa product manager Debbie Joynt says that the choice of glove depends on the application for which a worker has to use the glove.

“Gloves are designed for specific applications. In mines, for example, gloves must be sweat absorbent, while a machine operator’s gloves must preferably have a knit wrist for enhanced protection. There is no glove that can protect a worker against all chemicals, but if the specific combination of chemicals a worker is exposed to is analysed, the material suited for a glove used in that application can be recommended,” she says.

Hazard, Risk and Consequence
To protect the hands, there are three key factors that have to be assessed, namely hazard, risk and consequence. Hazard implies the potential of harm being done to the hands, while risk involves the likelihood that one’s hands may be harmed and consequence describes the severity or degree of the injury sustained.

Different types of hazards can be identified. Mechanical hazards are cuts, punctures, skin abrasions and fractures, while thermal hazards refer to thermal burns, dermatitis and skin cancer. Electrical burns, as well as chemical burns, caused by strong acids and alkalis, are also hazardous and can lead to dermatitis, major organ damage and carcinogenic effects if it comes in contact with damaged hands.

Some industrial products are toxic, although the toxicity is more acute in the case of inhala- tion or ingestion than through skin absorption. However, repetitive contact of certain solvents with damaged hands, such as toluene and ketones, are suspected to trigger illnesses in the long term by attacking certain organs, such as the liver. Where there is a possibility of workers being exposed to harmful or toxic materials, risk assessments must be done by suitably trained staff.

Features of a Glove
The size and minimum length of the glove are important when different gloves are considered, and cuff ends should be assessed. Joynt explains that, since more women have entered the industry in recent years, the size of gloves has become a challenge. Gloves now have to be manufactured in a range of different sizes to ensure optimal protection.

Safety cuffs also protect the wrist and improve ventilation, while the glove holds better to the hand with a knitted wrist cuff. An overseam cuff, in turn, offers improved resistance to the ravelling of the cuff, while the rolled cuff has enhanced tear resistance.

Grip patterns offer further safety features when deciding which glove to use. A raised pattern ensures more efficiency in dry con- ditions or with oils and grease, while the Z-pattern channels liquids off the glove surface. The recessed pattern is adapted to dry and wet conditions and the standard pattern has an adapted grip design made directly on the production mould.

Smooth gloves with no pattern and pebble grip gloves with a light pattern are suited when working with food, as dirt does not stick to them and cleaning the glove surface is easier. The harpoon pattern is a strong raised pattern for supported gloves, which provides superior handling in wet conditions and protection against sharp or abrasive objects.

MSA Africa has implemented a programme by which it colour-codes the gloves. The glove may, for example, be green on the outside and white on the inside, but when the green starts soaking through and colours the white inside, the gloves must be disposed of. The efficiency of the gloves is then ensured.

Glove Selection
Joynt explains that an expensive glove is not necessarily a better glove. It all depends on the application for which a worker has to use the glove.

“Various problems exist in finding the best-suited glove to adhere to protective and economic requirements and comfort. As functionality and comfort criteria are quite subjective notions, it is essential to provide samples for the user to choose the pair of gloves best suited to him or her,” she asserts.

She adds that training plays a critical role in raising awareness of hand protection. Clients must be trained in how to check gloves for weak spots, how to clean them and where to store them. There are also specific precautions to take in certain applications. When working with chemicals, for example, the gloves have to be washed daily with a mild liquid soap to prevent the chemicals from burning through the material.

MSA Africa is the sole local agent of manufacturer of rubber gloves MAPA and imports all its equipment from France. The company has been developing safety gloves for 15 years.