Sunday, 27 July 2014

Never Under-Estimate The Importance Of Work Gloves

By Miranda Sweeney


Safety wear is a mandatory element in the equipment that tradespeople and scientists use in their work. There are many threats to the human body in modern industry, and for some workers this clothing is not merely a fashion statement. Today's professions are full of risks and possible accidents, so people need to maintain the correct attitude towards safety. That attitude should also involve the right work gloves.

Gloves have various professional applications. Often, they are worn to prevent injuries, such as contusions, lacerations or sprains. Prolonged use of even the most primitive implements, such as gardening or farm tools, can damage the skin or injure the muscles of the hand. Even those who claim that they do not need gloves because their hands are used to such work occasionally suffer a deep cut or twisted finger which could have been avoided by slipping on a pair of gloves before starting work.

Temperature is another issue. Some industries make use of high-heat machinery and processes. The human hand cannot take a very high temperature or tolerate even mild heat for more than a matter of seconds. A standard, everyday item like a home geyser can cause discomfort or pain to its users. Burns are extremely serious because they can mean a lengthy layoff from work and they can also turn septic.

But it isn't only heat which is a factor. Extreme cold also requires protective measures. People who work in frigid environments needs to use gloves that are both protective and enable enough dexterity for the wearer to perform their tasks. One sometimes sees reports of mountaineers who removed their gloves in an emergency and suffered from frostbite.

Many workers are required to handle hazardous substances or waste in the course of their duties. The human body has little or no resistance to these. Some of them are fatal or possibly carcinogenic on exposure or, in the case of medical waste, may transmit terminal diseases.

Corrosion is a notorious characteristic of some common industrial substances. Acids are the most popular among these, but there are others, such as benzene. Another example is caustic soda, which requires the worker to use PVC clothing, which in turn only lasts a few hours. The right material to use is determined by the chemical involved and how concentrated it is.

In medicine, laboratory and other personnel sometimes have to transport or analyse samples of contagious germs. This can be stressful, given that some of these pathogens cause terminal illnesses, so protective gear is a source of reassurance and supports the professional disposition that medical workers are supposed to maintain at all times. For example, workers treating AIDS patients sometimes become infected by needle-stick accidents. Staff also avoid coming into contact with blood or other fluids during surgery. They may use nitrile gloves or the thinner latex option. The latter allows better manual dexterity during operations.

Some work would be physically impossible without using safety equipment. If a worker loses the use of their hand(s), even partially, they may become useless in their industry. Taking your income in your hands might be more expensive than taking ordinary safety measures.




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