Posted By Martin Forbes
This isn't really something someone here can answer, you need to ask the HS&E Manager his reasons for enforcing the use of gloves and the type of gloves he requires. If his requests are unreasonable create a list of factual evidence why you think there isnt a requirement for gloves to be worn.

I mean personally i dont understand why visitor's would have to wear gloves onsite if they are not being involved in any manual activities, but i'm sure he has a reason, and if not you need to object in a controlled manner.

Posted By Robert.
The blanket approach
Eye protection must be worn on this site
No rigger boots allowed on this site
Chemical suits to be worn on this site
Gloves to be worn on this site

Here we are and I though PPE was a last line of defence after assessment of risk.

It's not safety management-------- is it?

Posted By Robert.
It would be interesting to see what kind of gloves the C&J will wear when hammering in nails!!!

Imported hazard?

Posted By Rob T
If there is an assessed need for someone to wear gloves then enforce it. If there isn't send this to the bonkers conkers section of IOSH.

And people wonder why we are referred to as the H&S Taliban???

NO excuses - if it isn't needed don't insist on it or you will find that people will quite naturally rebel and that may then cause a problem in other areas where PPE is an absolute necessity.

Posted By Rommel
Absolute nonsense, I see no justification in this whatsoever.

I appreciate the importance of wearing gloves and I completely agree that it dose reduce cuts and abrasions, but only among people who are using sharp object and who are exposed to the danger in first place. Not the architects.

And what is wrong with creating them and us, after all , an important part of a risk assessment is identifying who and how they may be harmed, and all the risk assessments are telling me the carpenter who uses Stanley knife should wear one and the architect who uses CAD shouldn’t.

I wonder why we always whinge about people making our lives harder by not cooperating.

Come on guys, lets be realistic not silly.

Posted By David MacFarlane
Let me just add that 5 out of the main 8 principle contractors we work for INSIST on gloves being worn on site!! Its Policy! Its adapt or die! (in a business sense) So those who are giving it "this is bonkers" etc. fortunately you are not in the same situation as we are! I'm all for a sensible approach...don't tar me with the conkers bonkers brush!! We have reacted to a situation..end of.

D

Posted By safety medic
I am currently working on a major site working for a major client who has a mandatory PPE rule for everyone including visitors to wear glasses and gloves and flame retardant overalls.

Gloves come in many shapes and sizes and part of the risk assessment is choosing the correct glove for the task in hand! The gloves we commonly supply to visitors are thin abrasion resistant gloves. Glasses are comfortable and adjustable if different makes/models are provided for choice. As a result over the last 12months alone the company has seen a 94% reduction in eye injuries and a 69% reduction in hand/wrist injuries.

Obviously not all of the reduction can be attributed to PPE but it has a big impact.

To those who disparage the need for 'visitors' to wear gloves/glasses should consider the risk they are at. Unaware of surroundings, normally carrying clipboard in hand, pen in other, trying to climb wooden ladders with items in hand, trapping fingers in tripod, walking into areas they shouldn't before asking etc.

As for joiners, they wear abrasion and cut resistant and I have'nt heard a single complaint. Provide the right kit and people are happy, explain why and they are happy. Keep them in the dark and just tell them to shut up and get on with then you are bound to meet resistance.

Would anyone in this forum complain at having to wear a hard hat?????? Generic controls are for generic risks and are acceptable if applied correctly. Is wearing a pair of gloves really (I mean really, really) a problem? I think not.

Posted By Rommel
Great comments Safety Medic

But what I cant get my head round it is that, why do you have so many accident involving designer and consultant in the first place and why do you think PPE is the only solution for it?

I have been in charge of H&S for 4 years now, looking after 500 workers, 7 massive construction sites and between 70 to 100 designers, consultants and supervisors. We only had 3 accidents involving visitors and none of the accidents were hand or eye related.

I have considered all these accident opportunities you mentioned but I try to tackle them in a deferent way and this how I do it

1. I will not let any visitor to walk around my site unless accompanied by member of staff because of the constant change in working area.

2. I will make sure all ladder are inspected on weekly basis, no wooden ladder or flimsy ones are allowed to be used and that is not just because of the designer but also other who use them more frequently

3. and most importantly, I will not let anyone climb a ladder while having something in their hand and if see someone doing this, I will make sure that he goes through the whole induction and training process again.

Posted By AKAGBUE BERTHA
well I Know it doesn't look reasonable on the surface but i for one votes for it. i also think it is achievable all you have to do is give the visitor a little HSE induction before they go into site this will really help.

Posted By Robert K Lewis
I think we need to remember that most objects you touch on site usually have something coating it or somehow lying on or otherwise attached. Have a look at your hands next time you have used a scaffold staircase. The important thing is to select the right glove for the job. Most visitors tend to end up with lightweight kevlar or nitrile faced cotton. Both of these do a good job for light inspection type work.

On the question of whether they are required or not - all risk assessments are irrelevant if the PrincipAL (NOT PRINCIPLE) Contractor has made their use a site rule. The rule is enforceable, the PC is making the assessment that they will be required. Personally I feel the comments concerning rigger gloves etc reflect the sense that the term gloves refers only to the unisize, soggy leather monstrosities so often selected by price rather than task needs.

It is definitely not the case that they are being selected as a PPE requirement for a specific task but rather the PC is stating that the correct gloves will be worn for all operations with a default position that all will wear a minimum level whilst accessing the construction area. Unfortunately I do think that there is an elitism with some people that makes them above the site rules. It does feel good however to bar a construction director from site for a month for failing to wear the designated minimum PPE!!:-)

Bob

Posted By Jim Walker
Strangely enough, this morning I've been reviewing the stats on hand & finger injuries.

We and our clients introduced a "must carry gloves & wear as appropriate" policy last Sept.

Data is :
40% reduction in all hand/ finger injuries.
60% reduction in injuries requiring Medical treatment.

Conker bonkers?? I think not.

Posted By alex mccreadie
JEB

At least they have let you know your Architects/Visitors to site will need gloves which enables forward planning. It is now up to you to determine what type of gloves to supply dependant on type of work to be carried out on site.
No one should be above the site rules whether Director or worker.
(Scenario) I am asked to come to site as our employees have not been wearing correct PPE as covered in Site Induction. Whilst going to work area pass group of men wearing no PPE ask escorting Safety Advisor why not. Answer Directors ,Managers I then ask to be escorted back to gate informing Safety Advisor why have I been sent for if site rules are not being followed Answer "no comment". I Say goodbye. I do speak to our workers later their reply why should we bother with site rules when others do not bother and nothing is said!
As explained to them and the reason for this post Site Rules. Most Construction sites have dust "eye protection", most sites have ladders, stairs with banisters or scaffold tubing "hand protection".This is before covering work practices that require hand or eye protection.
I carry a set of gloves and safety glasses in my hard hat and use them if required.

It is not conkers bonkers it is common sense.

Posted By Rob T
I reckon everyone on site should be bubble-wrapped - that'll get your accident stats down and remember - rules is rules! It at least gets H&S advisors out of doing those pesky risk assessments. That way we can just enforce what the hell we like (coz it's safeteeee in it) as we are obviously gods and all others should kneel before us because they are all ignoramuses.

Some of these responses are a total embarrassment - H&S Taliban - absolutely. (Can I officially report this thread to IOSH conkers bonkers?)

Even the HSE have vehemently come out against risk aversion.

By the way - gloves in some circumstances can exacerbate hazards (and in summer when it's hot.....). DO YOUR RISK ASSESSMENTS by job not by blanket.

Posted By Peter Gamble
Can I ask , if you issue visitors gloves , are they pre used or new issue , if pre used, have you had any objections from visitors in case thay are in contact with , dermatitis, bacterial, chemical contamination from previous wearers etc.
In the same respect, with hearing defenders are they sanitised prior to re issue to visitors or do you give them ear plugs.

Peter

Posted By Colin Reeves
Statistics can be skewed to suit your purpose. One quote above is:

"Data is :
40% reduction in all hand/ finger injuries.
60% reduction in injuries requiring Medical treatment."

The question originally posed related to visitors to the site. I wonder how may of the injuries quoted (pre or post glove wearing) were injuries to visitors - who are less likley to be undertaking any physical tasks on site??

I tend to agree with other posters that it should be horses for courses, based on a risk assessment for the task, not for the site.

Colin

Posted By Rob T
Bob,

Maybe you should read the question again! Has anyone said that people who need the gloves shouldn't wear them?

If I had to wear an apron in my kitchen whilst cooking, before guests arrived, would I expect them to wear an apron on the basis that hot liquids might fly round the corner and give them 90% burns.

I don't actually wear an apron by the way!

Posted By Robert K Lewis
If they are in the construction area they will be exposing themselves to touching any number of things!

If operatives must then I cannot see why everyone else in the construction zone should be exempted. Exempt one group from PPE use and all others look fro the same exemption.

Do we risk assess away the need fro safety helmets also?

Bob

Posted By Robert K Lewis
JEB

It is a site rule and thus I do not have to justify it as long as it is pursuant to the betterment of health and safety on site. - Note the Golden Rule above and also the duties and responsibilities on PCs under CDM. Once a site rule is determined and implemented then it has to be followed - Unless of course you wish to determine your contract to provide design services.

Your own assessment is irrelevant, ALL persons entering the construction zone will wear suitable gloves - full stop. Not will wear them unless they can provide an adequate risk assessment to demonstrate that they are not required. In any case as PC I can deem your assessment unsuitable and we are back to the starting point. I have yet to meet an HSE inspector who goes against the principle of glove policies and totla use. In fact most regard it as a distinct plus point.

Bob

Posted By Garry Adams
Hi JEB,

I could think of 3 basic reasons for the requirement for visitors to wear gloves.

i.e. basic slips, trips and falls...abrasions to the hands.

When ascending and descending Scaffold Access Stair cases...at least one hand on the hand rail when access and egress is required.

Environmental conditions...I would not say no to a pair of turtle doves at this time of the year, BBBrrr...

Regards, Garry...

Posted By Rob T
Well Garry,

You certainly brightened my day and the other safety advisors in my office. We couldn't stop laughing. I didn't realise until I read it the second time that you are winding them up. Gloves to protect against slips, trips and falls - absolute classic! Just imagine the signage.