Page 99 - OHS, July/August 2022

One could argue that the most important tool to a worker is their hands.
And what do you think of when you think of protecting your hands? Gloves. Gloves have been synonymous with hands since the Ice Age, believe it or not. According to the National Geographic, cave paintings suggest that humans once wore mittens as way to keep their hands warm against the extreme cold temperatures. From there, gloves continued to evolve, sometimes even holding extreme significance in history. Gloves were seen in royal ceremonies, such as the Coronation, which highlighted a glove made for Queen Elizabeth II. They were also a stark indication of status in the early 19th century, with the middle and upper class changing out their gloves several times a day.
Perhaps even more interesting than royal or fashion gloves, is the evolution in gloves made to protect a worker’s hands. One of the first modern work gloves was patented in 1896 by D.F. Morgan. The glove was created to protect the hands of laborers and rail workers such as engineers, firemen and brakemen. The glove eliminated the discomfort of previous protection workers were using by implementing a seamless palm. Following Morgan’s patent, hand protection continued to evolve. There were a number of patents filed for those who worked with jackhammers, a washable gauntlet glove, and a more general work glove which undoubtedly inspired the creation of more innovative gloves.
With the continued improvement through the 1900’s, work gloves have been created to protect against many different kinds of injuries and incident types for a wide variety of industries. Now, adequate protection is not optional. Employers have a duty to provide PPE to protect against daily hazards on the job.
According to OSHA Standard 1910.138(b), “Employers shall base the selection of the appropriate hand protection on an evaluation of the performance characteristics of the hand protection relative to the task(s) to be performed, conditions present, duration of use, and the hazards and potential hazards identified.”
Employers and safety professionals can now choose gloves from materials such as latex, nitrile, leather, rubber, Kevlar and more in an effort to improve protection for a worker’s hands. Features of modern-day work gloves include resistance to impact, vibration, punctures and even liquids and chemicals.
If there is one thing we know for sure about hand protection, it is that it will continue to evolve with technology and the ways that workers complete their job responsibilities. No matter what level of protection your workers need, you can bet that you will be able to find the perfect type of hand protection the market can offer.
Sydny Shepard is the Editor of Occupational Health & Safety magazine.
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