Gloves for Mining Safety
PPE – Many Gloves for Different Applications
Which Glove is Best?
| Glove | Uses |
| Cotton | Light duty material handling and cleanup work |
| Leather | Equipment handling, general construction, heavy cleanup, welding, moderately hot or cold material handling |
| Shock absorbing | Operating rotary hammers and other vibrating equipment |
| Kevlar or Wire mesh | Work with sheet metal, glass, or heavy cutting These gloves Do Not provide puncture protection |
| Rubber, nitrile, neoprene, PVC, PVA and other synthetics | Chemical gloves must be chosen for the specific chemical being used |
| Insulated | Extreme high and low temperatures |
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
| Distance | Size | |
| 2 to 2½” | 6 | X Small |
| 2½ to 3” | 7 | Small |
| 3 to 3½” | 8 | Medium |
| 3½ to 4” | 9 | Large |
| 4 to 4½” | 10 | X Large |
| 4½ to 5” | 11 | XX Large |
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
