Protective gloves essential when working with chemicals
Workers and employers have been warned how essential it is to use protective gloves, particularly when operating in industries where hazardous chemicals are used.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned that the most effective and reliable way to prevent skin problems is to design and operate processes to avoid contact with harmful substances altogether.
However, where this is not possible, the watchdog advised ensuring that workers are wearing safety gloves or a similar appropriate safeguard.
'When you select protective gloves, base your choice on the work, the wearer and the environment they work in', the HSE advised.
According to the safety body, when providing protective gloves safety managers need to identify the substances handled and identify all other hazards, consider the type and duration of contact and the task at hand and take the user and their hand size into consideration.
Recently, Sally Drury, writing for Horticulture Week, said that many people whose jobs involve working with dangerous machinery often forget to wear protective equipment such as safety gloves, but this may be putting them at risk of injury.
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