Page 26 - OHS, November/December 2020

PPE: HAND PROTECTION
is lost faster than it can be replaced, and the body temperature drops to below 95 degrees. Shivering is a symptom, followed by more serious symptoms of memory loss, slurred speech and even death if body temperature drops to 78 degrees.
Powerful Tools for Your Cold Stress Toolbox
One of the best types of hand protection, especially in sub-zero temperatures, are mittens. Mittens tend to be warmer than gloves because your fingers generate more heat when they’re not separated by fabric, as is the case with gloves. Unfortunately, mittens can be heavy-handed and clumsy, compromising dexterity, which is a must-have requirement for most workers. Thus, mittens aren’t typically a practical safety solution for most industrial workers, but they are often worn in pleasure pursuits like skiing, snowboarding or hiking in frigid temperatures.
When specifying a winter glove for your safety program, make sure it has:
■ A water-repellent outer coating or material that provides water resistance and wind repellence.
■ An insulating liner that traps air for warmth and offers moisture-wicking capabilities.
■ Features that promote comfort and a good fit.
Outer Coatings to Resist Water
It is important to understand the differences among water-resistant gloves, water-repellent gloves and waterproof gloves. This is especially important in winter months, when exposure to sleet, rain and snow can make for a miserable workday if not properly protected.
Both “water-resistant” and “waterproof” designate the degree to which rain is blocked from penetrating the glove. Water- repellent refers to the extra surface coating that improves any glove’s performance, including waterproof gloves.
Water-resistant gloves resist the penetration of water but not entirely. This is considered the lowest level of water protection. While a water-resistant glove won’t keep your hands from getting wet forever, it takes longer for water to seep in. Water-resistance is a natural quality of the glove fabric itself. The most common fabrics that can be called water resistant are nylon and polyester, and their water resistance can be credited to how tightly they are woven.
The next step up is water-repellent gloves. They are not easily penetrated by water because of their specially treated surface coating that repels water. However, coatings and treatments wear off over time becoming less effective.
A waterproof glove is impervious to water, acting as a waterproof barrier to keep rain, sleet and snow from penetrating the glove. It offers the highest level of protection from water.
Comfort and Good Fit Improve Compliance
Your winter glove should fit your hand properly as tight gloves can compromise circulation and increase sweating, which makes your hands colder, not to mention uncomfortable.
Poorly fitted gloves reduce dexterity and grip strength. Gloves that are too loose can get caught in machinery and are just as uncomfortable as gloves that are too tight. Make sure the winter glove you choose for your safety program is comfortable and is offered in a variety of sizes to fit workers’ hands.
Your winter glove should also have a good cuff that can fit over
your jacket sleeve. An extended gauntlet cuff with hook and loop closure offers additional protection to keep snow from seeping into your glove.
Different Types of Winter Gloves for Workers
The marketplace has a wide selection of winter work gloves to meet a variety of jobsite applications. In addition to helping you combat the cold in mild and extreme conditions, winter work gloves often serve other protective functions, including:
■ High visibility protection ■ Cut protection
■ Impact protection
■ Abrasion protection
■ Waterproof insulated protection
■ Extreme condition insulated protection
■ Gripping capabilities in wet and dry applications
Working in extremely low temperatures without high-quality
cold weather gloves carries the danger of temporary or permanent damage to hands and fingers. There’s also a risk that the ability to operate equipment or complete detailed tasks may be impaired due to improper insulation.
Make sure your hand protection inventory is equipped with the right winter glove to protect workers’ hands and fingers from frostbite, cuts, abrasions and punctures. In harsh conditions, remember to always work in teams and look after each other.
Need Help Choosing a Winter Glove?
Choosing the right winter glove can be a complex decision dependent upon standards, materials, technologies, budget and job applications. But you don’t have to go down that road alone. Most glove manufacturers have experienced safety specialists who can help you choose the right winter work glove for your cold prevention program. Many offer complimentary hand protection assessments, fast facts, white papers and free samples to qualifying customers.
Mary Padron is a Sr. MarCom Specialist at Radians.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.weather.gov/nwr/
2. https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold-wind-chill-chart
20 Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
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