Gloves for Mineworkers

PPE - Many Gloves for Different Applications

 

Which Glove is Best?

How Chemicals Get Inside a glove

• Permeation - Diffusion of a chemical through a material on a molecular basis
• Penetration – Chemical enters  through zippers, punctures, or seams
• Degradation – Chemical causes a change in the physical properties of the material

Table adapted from: Forsberg, K. & Mansdorf, S.Z. Quick Selection Guide to
Chemical Protective Clothing. 2nd Ed. Van Nostrand Reinhold, NY, NY

Glove Care

• Inspect gloves before use for tears, excessive wear, and punctures
• Store in a clean, dry location
• Discard leather and cloth gloves if they become saturated with oil or other chemicals
• Leak test chemical gloves by sealing the wrist and filling the glove with air
  -Use a clean plastic tube or low pressure air line – not your mouth!

Glove Sizing

With a ruler, start at index finger and measure the width of your hand in the knuckle area

Hand Care

• Avoid washing your hands with solvents, harsh soaps, or abrasives
• Clean and bandage all cuts and abrasions
• Immediately remove any imbedded foreign materials
• Wash immediately after using any chemical – Even if you did not detect leakage
• Pay attention to skin rashes—get an immediate medical evaluation
• Wear cotton gloves under rubber gloves to reduce sweating

Types of Injuries

• Cuts, fractures, punctures and amputations
  -Cuts or lacerations – May sever nerves, tendons or muscle or become infected
  -Fractures can damage nearby tissue and be difficult to repair
   
• Dermatitis and burns are caused by direct contact with chemicals, detergents, metals, or very hot or cold objects
  -Dermatitis may show up immediately after contact with a chemical causing the skin to become red, swollen, itchy, or burning, and may develop blisters
  -Dermatitis may develop after several contacts with chemicals known as sensitizers - Nothing happens initially, later contacts with the chemical produce an allergic reaction
   
• Carpal tunnel syndrome results from prolonged repetitive work with the hands - This condition can be disabling and can have a variety of temporary symptoms like swelling, tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands or fingers

First Aid

• Cuts: Apply direct pressure to a large or bleeding cut and elevate the hand above the shoulder - Clean a small cut with soap and warm water and cover it with a sterile bandage
   
• Burns: Immerse in cool water or run cool water over the burned area
   
• Broken bones: Keep the hand still and get professional help
   
• Amputations: Apply pressure to the injured area immediately - Preserve the amputated part in a plastic bag and put it in ice water or ice, but Do Not allow the amputated part to come in contact with the ice!
   
• Sprains: Apply cold compresses to reduce pain and swelling
   
• Chemical burns: Rinse with running water for at least 15 minutes
   
• Heat burns: Soak minor burns in cold water, then apply a sterile bandage - A burn that is charred or blistered requires medical attention

This could be you!

So watch out!!!

Content Kindly Provided by Moolmans