Page 20 - OHS, November/December 2022

PPE: HAND PROTECTION
The Right Winter Glove for Cold and Wet Applications
Wearing the wrong glove in cold, harsh environments can have severe consequences.
BY MARY PADRON
People who work in cold and wet conditions must endure extra hardships. During the winter, outdoor workers are challenged by air temperature, wind speed, snow, sleet, rain and ice. Just think about utility workers and linemen
working through grueling ice storms and other inclement weather to restore the power grid. Or what about truckers, first responders and snow plough drivers who battle harsh weather conditions to bring food and water to us, to protect us and to clear our roads?
Safety pros should provide quality PPE to keep workers warm and dry, especially when it comes to selecting high-performance winter work gloves. Wearing the wrong glove in cold and harsh environments is often dangerous and can hinder productivity and job satisfaction. In extreme conditions, hypothermia or frostbite can harm fingers and hands within minutes.
This article explores several questions and factors to help safety pros match the winter glove to the cold weather application. It also includes information on the EN 511 performance rating that tests how well a winter glove will stand up to the cold and to water. Knowing more about this standard will lead to more informed glove choices.
Seven Questions to Ponder
Here are seven key questions that every safety professional needs to think about before specifying winter gloves. Your answers will help point the way to the proper glove.
1. What are the typical cold-weather temperatures that your crew is routinely exposed to? Don’t forget to consider wind chill. 2. Is rain or snow common? Or does the job require that
workers use their hands in water, ice, refrigeration or other slushy and wet conditions?
3. What is the activity level of the worker?
4. Does the glove fit the workers hands?
5. Will the worker need to pick up small parts or components? 6. What other features are needed for your application? Do
you need heavy-duty palms that resist ripping or tearing? High visibility to keep worker hands visible in low light conditions?
7. In addition to cold stress, what other occupational hazards are present? Does the worker need protection from cuts or abrasion? FR protection? Impact resistance? Is a firm grip required to prevent dropped objects?
The Top Three Features of a Good Winter Glove
In addition to asking questions, determining how well the glove satisfies the features below is important. Does the glove offer:
■ 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?
■ Comfort and a good fit?
Keeping the Water Out
Recognizing the differences between water-resistant and waterproof gloves is critical, especially if workers submerge their hands in water and liquids. Understanding the temporary nature of water-repellent coatings is essential too.
Both “water-resistant” and “waterproof ” designate the degree to which rain is blocked from penetrating the glove.
A water-resistant glove is considered the lowest level of water protection because it does not prevent the water or moisture from seeping into the glove. Its level of protection is limited and is easily breached. However, water does take longer to seep into a glove with a water-resistant coating when compared to a glove without this coating.
Water-resistant gloves are appropriate when exposure to wet conditions is minimal. You would not want to specify a water- resistant winter glove if the worker is routinely exposed to cold and wet conditions for extended periods of time or if submerging the glove in water is required.
Water-repellant gloves have a specially treated surface coating that repels moisture or water. Although not easily breached by water, water-repellant coatings wear out over time, diminishing their effectiveness.
A waterproof glove is impermeable 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 because it is not easily breached. Gloves that are fully coated with nitrile, PVC or latex provide a waterproof barrier.
Insulation in Winter Gloves is a Balancing Act.
Finding the proper weight and type of glove insulation can be tricky. If you choose a glove with too much insulation, workers can’t move their fingers, and dexterity is tossed to the curb. Plus, workers may overheat.
On the other hand, if the insulating liner is too thin, the worker gets chilled, fingers turn numb and productivity is compromised. Why is insulation so important in winter gloves? It blocks radiant heat loss by trapping air, and air is a good insulator. By trapping air, the glove retains thermal energy, keeping hands warm and toasty even when it’s freezing. However, the insulated winter glove needs to be able to trap air without trapping
moisture; otherwise, sweaty palms become an issue.
Many top-tier PPE manufacturers offer gloves with 3MTM ThinsulateTM Insulation to help keep hands warm. The unique microfibers that comprise Thinsulate help trap body heat while allowing moisture to escape. The material insulates without adding a lot of bulk to the glove, improving dexterity, which is
another important feature of an excellent work glove.
The gram weight of Thinsulate refers to the grams per square meter of insulation. The higher the gram weight, the more it
insulates and keeps hands warm.
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Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 www.ohsonline.com