Hello fellow professionals

Help needed!

I am currently looking at upgrading our current gloves to the type that provides some kind of cutting resistance on the back of the hand as well as the palm.

I have researched that their are 5 levels for cutting resistance and would like to ask at what level 1-5 do you have or have used that do provide suitable protection for the user without costing the earth as the site guys go through quite a lot of gloves in a single shift?

Thanks in advance for your constructive comments.

I wouldn't discount having multiple sets of PPE for various tasks, a place for every book and every book in its place. General Riggers are usually used for basic manual handling tasks with a few specific options available for various jobs:

TILSATEC TTP450 5 GLOVES - we tend to use these for the handling and cutting of timber

Cutter CW700 Anti-Vibration Gloves Black / Yellow Large - these tend to work better for guys using power tooling due to the shock absorption pads and well as the cut resistance

If your people know how to use a hand saw correctly they shouldn't need hand protection and you can argue that wearing gloves could result in the person's hand slipping and losing control of the saw which puts their non saw hand at risk.  I think you need to go back to the drawing board and look very closely at why you think they need gloves to use a hand saw and perhaps revisit the risk assessment and the worker's hand tool training.  As others have said gloves are a definite and very big NO if they are using powered equipment

I don't agree that gloves are always good to reduce the risk further as there are many ways in which gloves can increase risk.  Some have already been mentioned above (entanglement in rotating parts and clumsy handling resulted in injuries).

I used to work for a company that in order to reduce hand injuries mandated a blanket policy of wearing cut resistant gloves in the process areas whether you were exposed to cut hazards or not.  The consequence of this was that some workers had skin reactions from wearing these gloves all day.  The policy was then relaxed.

For selection of gloves, the best thing to do is ask your supplier, they may be able to provide you with samples to trial as well as advice on what has worked for their customers in the past.  It's important to trial the gloves with users as some can make it difficult to do the task because they reduce dexterity or grip or make manipulations uncomfortable because they are stiff.  Cut resistance rating is only one of the factors to consider; the glove first needs to be usable.

I agree. Remember that firstly according to the COSHH and PPE regulations gloves are a last resort, to be used only when other means of protection have not achieved adequate control. Secondly, the previous poster is correct. All occlusive gloves present a hazard to the skin, irrespective of the material they are made of. The increase of water in the skin (hyperhydration) will affect the living cells in the skin and damage the skin barrier. This can lead to what dermatologists have called ‘hydration dermatitis’. It can also predispose to allergic skin conditions. Note, contrary to popular belief, is not just sweat. An important cause is the water that we all lose through our skin continuously. We call this trans-epidermal water loss and a person with skin in good condition can lose up to 750ml per 24 hours. Normally this evaporates and is undetectable by the person themselves, although it can be measured. Under the occlusive glove it cannot evaporate and is reabsorbed into the skin.

The problem with gloves for physical protection is different in that most of the moisture will be able to evaporate. However, most such gloves are absorbent, so any chemical contact will result in the chemical being held in contact with the skin increasing the risk of skin damage.

Chris