Friday, July 25, 2014

Why Work Gloves Are So Important

By Miranda Sweeney


The protective gear that people use in many different occupations is an essential part of their professional equipment. The human body is susceptible to harm from various sources, and in some jobs protective clothing is not merely an optional item. Modern industry is rife with hazards and potential injuries, so taking safety seriously is not negotiable. Choosing the right work gloves is part of that attitude.

Gloves are used to protect their wearer against several kinds of hazard. The most common one is physical injury through strain, friction or incision. Even the handles of basic tools like pliers or axes can lead to grazes and calluses, or muscular trouble. Some workers don't wear hand protection when using these tools, since their hands are accustomed to them. But even they sometimes cut themselves or lose fingers, injuries which would not have happened if they had invested more in their safety clothing.

Temperature is another issue. Some industries make use of high-heat machinery and processes. The human hand cannot take a very high temperature or tolerate even mild heat for more than a matter of seconds. A standard, everyday item like a home geyser can cause discomfort or pain to its users. Burns are extremely serious because they can mean a lengthy layoff from work and they can also turn septic.

At the other extreme, exceptionally low temperatures also necessitate protection. Sub zero environments require gloves that shield the hands but allow satisfactory movement at the same time. There have been reports of mountain climbers who took off their gloves in an emergency situation and then contracted frostbite.

Another issue is exposure to hazardous chemicals. This may involve corrosive substances or those which are biologically dangerous, such as medical waste. This is extremely important because some of these chemicals are lethally toxic (such as methyl mercury) or contain fatal diseases.

Some of the most dangerous industrial chemicals are those with corrosive properties. This usually refers to acids but there are other substances that are equally as volatile, such as the solvent benzene. A further example is caustic soda. Workers need PVC material to work with it, and the clothing does not last more than about half a day if the concentration of the soda is high enough.

There are laboratory workers and medical staff who are tasked with handling samples of infectious illnesses. Gloves give these staff a sense of reassurance, allowing them to maintain a more positive attitude in dealing with their patients or research. For example, in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, needle-stick injuries are a common accident and result in the infection of the practitioner. This also happens with other diseases. Exposure to internal bodily fluids, especially during surgery, is a serious risk and is not tolerated in modern medical practice. Medical personnel usually use gossamer-thin latex gloves (which allow surgeons greater freedom of movement) or the thicker nitrile variety.

Some occupations would be impossible without the use of safety gear. A hand injury, if permanent, has the potential to lead to unemployment. Taking hold of your safety is an important part of staying professional and staying safe.




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