OSHA 1910.138 Hand Protection: Are You Covered? Did You Know? Nearly 25% of work injuries involve the hands and fingers. 70% of workers sustaining hand injuries were not wearing gloves. 30% of workers sustaining hand injuries were wearing gloves, but they were either damaged or the wrong glove for the job. Right Selection, Right Protection OSHA1910.138(b) OSHA says, “Employers shall base the selection of the appropriate hand protection on an evaluation of the performance characteristics of the hand protection relative to the task(s) to be performed, conditions present, duration of use, and the hazards and potential hazards identified.” Follow a process when evaluating and selecting hand protection Involve the experts. Workers are a critical piece to the glove selection process. They know the job, they know what can go wrong. Workers provide the voice of the process. Think about the task at hand. Is there a need for dexterity or tactility for handling small objects, or extra grip for slick objects? (Gloves that provide grip properties can significantly reduce laceration risk.) Consider the conditions that are present. If you are handling sharp metal objects in an acid bath, ! gloves should protect you from acid exposure as well as cuts. If you need protection against abrasive machinery, and your work area is hot and humid, then gloves will need to have abrasion protection, as well as offer a material that allows for comfort and breathability. Finally, consider the length of time your gloves will be worn. If you are working with vibrating tools or machinery for long periods of time, gloves should protect you from tissue compression injures and injuries like vibration white finger (also known as HAVS) or Tendinitis. For safety managers out there, don’t underestimate the factor of grip and comfort when determining hand protection – the more comfortable the glove, the more compliance in your workforce! Contact the Fastenal Safety Team for questions or support with a complete hand protection program. 833-FNL-SAFE or SafetyQuestions@fastenal.com
Share
Print
Download PDF file
