Which work glove would you like?
The editors of SAFETY-PLUS, the leading Swiss trade journal for occupational safety and health protection, for the first time compiled a market overview of work and safety gloves that offer protection against mechanical, chemical and thermal risks.
With the market overview in SAFETY-PLUS No. 2/19, we provide safety managers and decision-makers with practical and quick information on the subject of work gloves. The important functional performance and possible uses of protective and work gloves, and how best to go about finding the right gloves for the job. Products The editorial team asked Massimo Nicastro, Managing Director of Uvex Switzerland, about how the company can limit its exposure to mechanical, chemical and thermal risks.
Mr. Nicastro, what are the most requested topics and challenges in choosing the right work gloves for corporate buyers and SiBes?
Massimo Nicastro: The gloves are classified according to the type of hazard (mechanical, chemical, thermal), according to the type of activity (precision, all-round, heavy duty) and the ambient conditions at the workplace (dry, damp, wet/oily).
For users, the challenge now is to find the appropriate glove for the Application and the working environment to select. Here, in addition to the required protective function - and thus corresponding certification - ergonomic aspects such as fit, sensitivity and grip safety also play a major role. For example, there are different types of coatings, depending on whether the work area is dry, damp, wet or oily. Choosing the right glove size should also not be underestimated. A glove that does not fit properly can itself become a source of danger in the workplace. All these aspects are very important for the user.
What other aspects need to be considered?
Communication plays a special role here. Employees must be informed about the gloves to be used and their correct application - including the necessary check for damage before each use - and the limits of the protective glove "what does it protect against, what does it not protect against? It is also advisable to have a glove schedule for each workplace, which is visibly posted at the workplace so that the information about which gloves are to be worn is always present. The right Selection prevents the wrong application.
According to Suva, there is a "duty to use PPE where it is necessary". Therefore, what is the legal situation for employers and employees in particular?
The employer is obliged to identify the hazards in the company. If these hazards cannot be eliminated by organizational or technical measures, he must provide his employees with the necessary personal protective equipment. The employees are obliged to use this protective equipment correctly and may not technically modify it - for example, it is clearly forbidden to cut off the fingertips of a glove in order to obtain better sensitivity. This is regulated in Article 82, Paragraphs 1 and 3 of the Accident Insurance Act.
Read here download the whole interview.
Informative and clearly presented, the special DIN A1 poster of the market overview shows the most important functional performances and possible applications of protective and work gloves. Order the DIN A1 poster with the market overview of work and safety gloves for only 8.90 CHF nominal fee incl. shipping at:
marktuebersicht.safetyplus@galledia.ch
