Arms and Hand Protection

Arms and hands are vulnerable to cuts, punctures, burns, bruises, electrical shock, chemical spills, and amputation. Forms of hand protection available to employees include but are not limited to

• Disposable exam gloves
• Chemical resistant gloves (rubber, nitrile, neoprene, etc.)
• Non-asbestos heat-resistant gloves
• Kevlar or Dynema gloves for cut resistance
• Bite-resistant gloves

Always wear the appropriate hand and arm protection. Table 1 provides guidance on chemical resistance of various glove materials.

Double your hand protection by wearing multiple gloves when necessary (e.g., two pairs of disposable gloves for work involving biological hazards). For arm protection, wear a long-sleeved shirt, a laboratory coat, chemical-resistant sleeves, or gauntlet-length gloves.

Follow these guidelines to ensure arm and hand safety:

1. Inspect and test new gloves for defects.
2. Always wash your hands before and after using gloves.
3. Wash reusable chemical-protective gloves with soap and water before removing them.
4. Do not reuse disposable gloves. Turn disposable gloves inside-out as you remove them to avoid contaminating your hands.
5. Do not wear gloves near moving machinery; the gloves may become caught.
6. Do not wear gloves with metal parts near electrical equipment.

IMPORTANT: Gloves are easily contaminated. Avoid touching surfaces such as telephones, door knobs, etc. when wearing gloves.