Chemical, Cold, and Vibration Protection

Welcome back, let's Build Smart & Build Safe! We’ve covered the mechanical risks (cut, puncture, abrasion). Today, we focus on specialized hand protection needed for specific environmental and non-mechanical hazards: Chemical, Cold, and Vibration.

These hazards require gloves designed with specialized materials to act as a barrier against permeation or to dampen physical forces.

1. Chemical Protection: Permeation and Degradation

Chemical gloves must be chosen based on the specific chemical being handled, as different glove materials react differently.

• Permeation: This is the rate at which a chemical passes through the glove material at the molecular level. A glove may look fine, but the chemical is already seeping through.

• Degradation: This is the physical breakdown of the glove material (e.g., swelling, hardening, cracking) due to chemical exposure.

Common materials and their uses:

• Nitrile: Good for solvents, oils, and grease. Highly resistant to punctures.

• Neoprene: Good against acids and caustics.

• Butyl Rubber: Excellent against gases and ketones (like acetone).

The Rule: Always consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the chemical you are using. The SDS will recommend the exact glove material and thickness (mils) required to ensure safe protection time (breakthrough time).

2. Cold Weather and Insulated Gloves

Working hands lose dexterity quickly in cold weather, leading to errors and increasing the risk of mechanical injury.

• Insulation: Cold-weather gloves use specialized layers (like fleece or Thinsulate) to trap heat.

• Dexterity Trade-Off: The challenge is finding a glove that provides adequate warmth without being so bulky that it compromises the ability to operate tools, which introduces a new hazard.

• Moisture Control: The glove must manage moisture. Wet gloves (from sweat or environment) will transfer heat away from the hands faster, leading to quicker chilling.

3. Anti-Vibration Gloves

Tools like jackhammers, concrete breakers, and grinders produce continuous, high-frequency vibration that can lead to permanent damage, often causing numbness and pain.

• Dampening Material: These gloves contain specialized polymer or foam padding designed to dampen specific vibration frequencies.

• Certification Check: These gloves must be certified against ISO standards to ensure they genuinely reduce vibration, as poorly designed gloves can sometimes worsen the issue. Anti-vibration gloves should not be a substitute for administrative controls like limiting the time workers spend using vibrating tools.

Always confirm the specialized glove you choose is also rated for any mechanical risks (cut/abrasion) present in the task.

Tomorrow, on Fall Protection Friday, we'll discuss the critical connection between glove selection and safety harness connection.

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-The Safety Man