Page 40 - Occupational Health & Safety, February 2018

HAND PROTECTION
The Invisible Threat Lurking Under Gloves
Gloves should always fit the hands of the workers they belong to for best results. Skin care programs work the same way.
BY MATT CLOWARD
Many professions require personal protec- tive equipment (PPE), such as gloves, to be worn in order to prevent workers from coming in contact with hazardous
chemicals, extreme temperatures, and harmful germs. However, workers often remove protective gloves at the end of the day only to find their skin wasn’t pro- tected from one of the biggest workplace threats: oc- cupational skin disorders (OSDs).
OSDs affect more than 13 million workers in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).1 Including contact dermatitis or work-related eczema (WRE), OSDs are an invisible threat to health, safety, and efficiency in the workplace. From dry, red, and irritated skin to deep cuts vulnerable to infection, workers with un- healthy hands can harm a business in numerous ways.
Gloves are not the only method to protect hard-
From dry, red, and irritated skin to deep cuts vulnerable to infection, workers with unhealthy hands can harm a business in numerous ways.
working hands. Effective yet gentle hand cleansers and creams can protect the skin and help reduce the negative effects of wearing gloves. In order to keep employee hands healthy and happy, it’s important for employers to understand how to best protect workers’ skin and promote a positive hand hygiene-compliant environment.
Visible Consequences
Red, irritated, and dry hands are often considered just “part of the job,” but OSDs can cause severe, visible consequences for a company. One case of OSD can
34 Occupational Health & Safety | FEBRUARY 2018
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