Are your workers wearing the right level of hand protection for the tasks they’re performing?
“Sometimes there can be a temptation for safety departments to go for the highest mechanical protection to make sure workers are covered,” said Eleanor Hirst, head of marketing at Tilsatec North America. “But in many instances, the workers don’t need that level of protection – be it heat, cut or chemical. This might mean they’re being made to wear gloves that are not appropriate for them to do their jobs, which could cause an accident as well as fatigue.”
And “proper fit is critical – not just for safety, but for retention and job performance,” Superior Glove says. “Ill-fitting gloves can cause injuries or discourage use altogether. Many companies don’t realize how much of their workforce – including women and those who need smaller or slimmer fits – is wearing gear that doesn’t fit right.”
With OSHA now requiring properly fitting personal protective equipment, “fit is becoming a top priority in hand protection,” Superior Glove adds.
If gloves don’t fit, workers aren’t likely to keep them on.
“Seventy percent of all hand injuries in the workplace occur when not wearing gloves, not when gloves failed or didn’t perform,” Hirst said.
Make hand protection comfortable, Superior Glove suggests, and tailor it to workers’ needs. The hand protection manufacturer went on to say that employers should involve workers in discussions about PPE and regularly conduct assessments.
After all, “Quality hand protection signals that a company values its people,” Superior Glove says. “Listening to workers, updating programs regularly and addressing fit issues directly can improve safety, morale and long-term program success.”
Compiled with the assistance of the International Safety Equipment Association
Coming next month:
- Flame-resistant/ arc-rated clothing
- Flashlights/lighting
