hardwearstudios00WHAT HSE GUIDANCE SAYS
A glove is only as good as the match between it and the work.
HSE says no glove material protects against all substances, and none protects against a particular substance forever. Its guidance for employers works through five factors: the substances, other hazards, how long and how much contact, the wearer, and the task.
Check a hazard01Principles
02THE SHORT ANSWER
HSE puts avoiding contact first.
When gloves are needed, the choice is specific.
FIRST STEP
HSE says the most effective way to prevent skin problems is to design work to avoid contact. Gloves tend to be less effective than other controls.
The five factorsWET WORK AND CHEMICALS
For wet work choose gloves meeting EN374-2, which shows they are waterproof. For chemicals, EN374-3, and check the glove material suits the substance.
Check a hazardFIT
Tight gloves tire hands and cost grip; loose ones fold. HSE's chart turns hand length and width into an EU size from 6 to 11.
See the numbers03A QUICK HAZARD CHECK
Pick a hazard to see what HSE's glove guidance points to. The bar shows how much checking HSE says you need beyond the marking on the glove itself.
Based on HSE's guide for employers on choosing gloves and its Skin at Work FAQs. General information, not a risk assessment.
04TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
One figure on latex allergy,
one on the size range HSE's chart covers.
1–6%
Share of the general population thought potentially sensitised to natural rubber latex
Not all sensitised people develop symptoms. HSE advises non-latex gloves unless no alternative gives the protection needed.
LATEX · HSE
6–11 EU sizes
EU glove sizes on HSE's chart, from 160 mm to over 215 mm hand length
Measure from the bottom of the palm to the tip of the middle finger, and around the hand below the knuckles.
SIZING · HSE
Sources: HSE, Latex allergies; HSE, Choosing the right gloves to protect skin.
05HOW HSE SAYS TO CHOOSE
HSE's guide asks employers to base the choice on the work, the wearer and the environment.
Check the product label or safety data sheet, and remember that work processes and natural substances, from wood dust to some foods and flowers, can harm skin too.
Look for abrasion, cuts, puncture or heat, which call for EN388 or EN407 protection as well.
Thicker gloves protect more but thinner ones give better dexterity. For immersion, choose a cuff longer than the depth of the liquid.
Gloves should fit and be comfortable, since comfortable gloves are more likely to be worn. Choose grip, length and colour to suit the job.
06COMFORT AND CARE
HSE suggests involving workers in choosing gloves and giving them a reasonable choice. Short glove breaks before hands get hot and sweaty help, and separate cotton gloves worn underneath can absorb sweat and be laundered.
There are no true barrier creams, HSE says: chemicals will always work their way through to the skin. Pre-work creams can help with washing, but they do not replace gloves.
07Questions
No. HSE says there are no true barrier creams, as chemicals will always work through to the skin, though pre-work creams can play a role in a skin care programme.
It is a European standard marking for protective gloves. HSE's guide points to gloves meeting EN374-2 for wet work, as this shows they are waterproof, and EN374-3 for protection against chemicals.
Natural rubber latex proteins can cause asthma, dermatitis and more serious reactions. HSE advises choosing non-latex gloves unless no alternative gives the protection needed, and low-protein, powder-free ones if latex is used.
HSE says yes with good practice: never put hands near unguarded moving machinery, wear snug gloves without folds, and choose a material that will tear rather than drag the hand in.
HSE says employers must provide PPE free of charge if a risk assessment shows it is needed, and ensure workers have enough information, instruction and training to use it.
08Sources
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