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Gloves and Their Many Uses

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No single glove can provide appropriate protection for every situation, so it is important to assess the risk for each task and select a glove that provides specialized protection.

The following is a list of gloves and their appropriate application, according to the National Safety Council:

Cotton and fabric gloves: These can keep hands clean and protect against abrasions, but may not be strong enough to handle work with rough or sharp materials.

Coated fabric gloves: This type of glove can provide protection against some moderate concentrated chemicals. They can be used in laboratory work provided they are strong enough to protect against the specific chemical being handled.

Rubber, plastic or synthetic gloves: These types of glove can be used when cleaning or working with oils, solvents and other chemicals.

Leather gloves: These should be used when welding, as the leather can resist sparks and moderate heat. The risk of cuts and abrasions also can be minimized by wearing leather gloves.

Aluminized gloves: These gloves are recommended for welding, furnace and foundry work, as they provide reflective and insulating protection.

Kevlar gloves: These have a wide variety of industrial applications. They are cut- and abrasion-resistant and provide protection against both heat and cold.

Chemical/liquid-resistant gloves: Several types of gloves help protect against specific chemicals

Butyl rubber gloves: nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and peroxide

Natural latex/rubber gloves: water solutions or acids, alkalis, salts, and ketones

Neoprene gloves: hydraulic fluids, gasoline, alcohols and organic acids

Nitrile rubber gloves: chlorinated solvents

Check out our range of gloves here: http://bit.ly/2s1ecyM

Whose Hand Is It Anyway?

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Let’s discuss it!

Hand injury or amputation causes the inability to function in a way that’s natural to you, such as buttoning clothing, eating daily meals, writing/signing a cheque and opening mail; these will all become strenuous tasks which heavily influences the quality of life you have. Hand injuries can vary from minor cuts or irritation to amputations. Some of the primary causes is the malfunction or improper use of equipment; although malfunctioning equipment is not directly something we can control; taking responsibility in wearing the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the determining factor in if we lose a limb or not. Human error doesn’t mean we can’t handle the job, but it does mean we have a tendency to grow complacent and get distracted while working. One of the most common forms of human error is forgetting, or simply choosing not to, wear protective gloves at work.

So, whose hands are they anyway? Before you decide not to wear the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), here are some factors to take into consideration:

Responsibility: We all have the responsibility to not engage in risky behavior at work that could be detrimental to our health;  and to report any uncontrolled or unaddressed hazards.

Accountability: Machines, energy and chemicals WILL hold us absolutely accountable for our actions, whether we like it or not.

So, how can we prevent hand injuries? There are several practices employers and employees can implement to reduce the risk of hand injury: these are engineering controls, administrative controls and PPE. Engineering controls reduce hazards through the use of equipment that has built-in measures to protect the worker, and is always the preferred way to reduce workplace hazards.  Some common types of engineering controls include safety guards, electrical proximity limiting devices, emergency stop devices, and ergonomic tools. Administrative controls are procedures management puts in place, and are useful when engineering controls either cannot be implemented or cannot alone effectively reduce risk.  Safety training, lock and tag rules, warning signs, product substitution, and attention to ergonomic principles are all forms of administrative controls. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn to minimize hazards when engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or sufficient.  The PPE worn to protect hands are gloves.

6 Tips for the Modern-Day Worker

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Here are 6 tips for the workplace, which are applicable to every type of worker in various workplace settings. 

  1. Maintain a clean and tidy work area. This increases productivity and morale; while eliminating potential hazards.
  2. Be aware of the risks. Once you are aware of which hazards you need to know about at your workplace, it’s possible to take steps to reduce the risks of getting hurt.
  3. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE). If you’ve been issued with personal protective equipment, then be sure to wear it. This may include safety goggles, earplugs, a hard hat or even a full-face mask. Following this advice can go a long way in reducing your risk of injury.
  4. Continue to work on the avoidance of hazards. By staying current on new equipment and materials; as well as maintaining used equipment, hazards are kept to a minimum.
  5. Keep workplace stress reduced. Often this is caused by a heavy workload, job insecurity, on the job conflicts with colleagues and management. Ongoing stress can lead to depression, difficulty with sleeping and concentration issues.
  6. Take regular breaks. Not only will it keep workers fresher and more alert, it can help to prevent burnout and injury.

 

The Importance of Safety in the Workplace

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Why is workplace safety so important?

Let’s simply put it this way- Injury and Death, no explanation needed, right? With an alarming number of workplace accidents occurring every year; improved safety training and awareness can help save lives and reduce injury.

Financially, death & injury impacts the company heavily as a monetary loss and in some cases property damage occurs. It’s in the best interest of the company and of the employee to put safety first.

Worker productivity increases, when a company puts it employees first by implementing proper safety training and education AND employees follow the safety guidelines on their own initiative.

The Service or Quality of the product improves, when the productivity of workers increases. Employees give of their best and go the extra mile to accomplish projects.

Corporate reputation / public relations improve, a quality product equals a quality reputation.

Good safety practices include training, education and the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to protect the workforce. Communication also plays a vital role in workplace safety and employees need to know that an employer is committed to their safety, in order for the worker to be committed to the job. It’s a 50/50 relationship.

Safety transforms a company and its employees into a team of people with a common goal.

Everyone benefits!

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