Chemical Skin Protection and Glove Discipline
A Glove Can Protect the Hand and Contaminate Everything Else
Chemical-resistant gloves are a barrier only while they are suitable, intact and used without spreading contamination. A gloved hand that touches a radio, door handle, face, notebook or clean control can carry the substance beyond the task and expose other people. Effective protection therefore includes choosing the correct glove, limiting what it touches and removing it without transferring contamination to skin or shared surfaces.
Controls to confirm
- Confirm the chemical, concentration, exposure route and required glove material from the current assessment and safety data before work; inspect gloves and replace any that are damaged, degraded or beyond their approved use time.
- Define clean and contaminated zones, keep gloved hands away from the face and personal items, and use a clean colleague, protective cover or approved method when radios, tools or controls must be handled.
- Remove gloves using the approved technique without touching the contaminated exterior, wash hands after removal, dispose of or decontaminate gloves correctly and report any suspected skin contact promptly.
Today’s action
Before the first chemical-handling task, ask the work party to identify the glove specification, clean-touch method and safe removal and disposal route.
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