Posted By Mark Eden Could any body enlighten me with the regard of re-using PPE. A manager at work has come up with an idea to save used nitrile Marigolds, send them away to be cleaned and, hey presto, nice clean gloves. One problem that springs to mind is we currently use several different sizes, so choosing your gloves would be pot look. Other points come to mind, such as what the gloves were initially contaminated with by the original user.

Posted By Roger Smith The issue of identifying the correct size of gloves could easily be resolved by ensuring that different sizes were purchased in different colours, (e.g. blue = large, yellow = medium, etc). The real problem would be how to ensure that gloves had been cleaned properly and then inspected for tears, holes, missing fingers etc before reissue. Unless the gloves are particularly specialist, the final cost and administrative effort of the cleaning and inspection process may well turn out to be far more expensive than simply buying new gloves when the old ones become contaminated. Roj

Posted By Alison Dando I am amazed that recycling gloves appears to be a standard practise. I can understand recycling the fabric e.g. rubber to make other items but not the glove itself. We don't recycle non disposable gloves. We tell our staff that they have a working life and then they must be changed regulary even if they appear alright. This is due to that in normal use they will be issues of permeation and degradation of the fabric (even if you clean them and rinse them properly) by the chemical.There is also the gradual breakdown of the fabric when you put repeatedly put gloves on and off and also small amounts of fabric actually are shed when you do this. Most of this damage is not visible to the naked eye. Gloves are personal issue only because of control of infection issues. We insist that any cuts should be covered with waterproof dressings before putting gloves on and jewellery (except smooth band wedding rings) should be removed. Maintenance, which includes cleaning will extend the working life of an item but not indefinitely.