Page 46 - Occupational Health & Safety, August 2018

HAND PROTECTION
against fentanyl and, importantly, against the combination of fen- tanyl and gastric acid. When choosing gloves to protect workers against fentanyl exposure, this is an important consideration. Oth- er features to consider when selecting an appropriate glove include:
■ Extended cuff: Contact with the victim isn’t likely to be lim- ited to the area below the wrist. Gloves with extended cuffs provide protection further up the arm.
■ High quality and reliability: AQL (acceptable quality level) scores for these types of gloves range anywhere from 4.0—meaning up to 4 percent of a set of gloves could include a defect—to the cur- rent industry standard of 0.65. The lower AQL is the safer choice.
■ Double-dipped, dual color: Contrasting interior and exteri- or colors make it easier to detect breaches or to notice the presence of dangerous substances on the glove’s surface.
■ Non-stick formulation: This eliminates troublesome stick- ing with tape and adhesives that can complicate and delay aid for the victim.
■ Comfort and performance: These things matter, and various materials provide better grip and are gentler on the skin than others. ■ Gastric acid protection: Again, this is critical in a fentanyl overdose situation. There are a few gloves on the market today that meet or exceed NIOSH recommendations for safety, allowing no permeation of either fentanyl or gastric acid for greater than 240 minutes. These are the only gloves proven to provide comprehen-
sive protection in these overdose events.
Equipping and Educating Those at Risk
Fentanyl presents an entirely different danger in the American drug culture and in many workplaces today. Unlike prescription drugs, cocaine, or even heroin, the users aren’t the only ones at risk. Those most likely to be exposed, such as police and fire personnel, EMTs, ER staff, and forensic lab personnel, should be transitioning to gloves that provide comprehensive protection against fentanyl. Others who may potentially be at risk should at least be educated on the risks of fentanyl exposure and have access to appropriate hand protection.
As glove manufacturers, it is our responsibility to continue to expand the options for fentanyl-resistant PPE to ensure there are solutions that meet the needs for all workers in all environments. We also must work with employers and safety personnel to ensure they understand the risks and the solutions available to help keep workers safe.
Joe Kubicek is President of the Healthcare Global Business Unit at Ansell. For more information on fentanyl and gastric acid protection and PPE solutions, visit ansell.com/LifeStarEC.
REFERENCES
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