Choosing The Right Gloves To Protect The Worker

When you’re in charge of ensuring worker safety, every detail counts—right down to the gloves your team wears. This week, during a visit to a new client, I observed a one-size-fits-all approach to protective gloves. Every worker, regardless of their task, wore the same “Flexo Grip Nitrile Red and Black gloves.” These tasks varied widely, from offloading boxes to operating machinery and handling abrasive materials. Upon noticing this, I had a chat with a manager to dig deeper into their safety practices…

Here are some critical questions I posed about their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) procedures:

• What do your risk assessment control measures for PPE detail?
• How do you determine the right glove, as detailed in your risk assessment, is used as designed?
• How do you ensure workers understand the use of gloves and recognise when a different pair is needed?
• How is the issuing of PPE recorded?
• Do you conduct a PPE assessment?

These questions led us back to the office, where we looked up the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Guidance notes and the UK Statutory Instrument (Legislation), focusing on glove standards.

The Legislation

Under Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, an employer is required to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of its employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work and to take steps to reduce risks to the lowest level reasonably practicable. 

Your risk assessment control measure should then detail the type of Personal Protective Equipment issued to the worker who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work except where and to the extent that such risk has been adequately controlled by other means which are equally or more effective – as per Regulation 4 of the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992

The HSE guidance can be found here https://www.hse.gov.uk/mvr/topics/gloves.htm

Gloves and Standards Markings

We then examined the standards stamped on the glove to determine its suitability for the activity.

These standard tests characteristics such as abrasion resistance, cut resistance, tearing strength, puncture resistance, and impact protection. Four numbers and one or two letters will be displayed in conjunction with the pictogram. These signs indicate the glove’s performance.

1. Abrasion Resistance: The material’s ability to withstand abrasion is tested under pressure with sandpaper. The scale goes from 1 to 4, where 4 means the material can endure more turns before it tears.
2. Cut Resistance, Coup Test: Here, a knife is dragged over the glove material until it cuts through. A rating between 1 and 5 is given, with 5 providing the highest level of cut protection.
3. Tearing Strength: This measures how much force is needed to tear the glove material apart, rated between 1 and 4.
4. Puncture Resistance: This tests the force required to puncture the glove with a sharp tip, also rated between 1 and 4.
5. Cut Resistance, TDM Test ISO 13997: If the material dulls the knife during the coup test, this alternative test is performed, giving a rating from A to F, with F providing the highest protection.
6. Impact Protection: If the glove includes impact protection, it is indicated with a ‘P’. If not, no such protection is claimed.

A quick note about EN 388:2003

This is the old version of the standard against mechanical risks. The differences compared to the 2016 version are the paper grid in the abrasion test and how to perform testing of cut-resistant fibers. It is also not applicable to test impact protection. There are still many protective gloves on the market that are labelled according to the old version of this standard. These are as good to use as the new marked gloves – the gloves’ performances have not changed, it is the way of testing the performances that has changed,

Our gloves in this case were marked with EN388: 2016 3121X – the last 5 indicating what activities they are rated for. The first number to the last numbers mean:

3 Abrasion Resistance
1 Cust resistance
2 Tearing Strength
1 Puncture Resistance
X Impact Protection

With these insights, we examined whether the glove type and standards suited the activity at hand. It’s essential to check the glove type and ensure it matches the specific tasks to prevent injuries and improve efficiency.

Consider The User – Size and Comfort

Ensuring that protective gloves fit well and are comfortable is crucial, not just for compliance, but for the safety and productivity of your workers. An ill-fitting glove can compromise dexterity, increase fatigue, and even lead to safety risks.

• Fit: Gloves should fit snugly but comfortably. Too tight and they restrict movement, too loose and they can interfere with tasks.
• Comfort: More comfortable gloves are more likely to be worn consistently. Include workers in the selection process to find gloves that they are comfortable wearing.
• Sweat Management: Encourage taking glove breaks to prevent overheating. Consider providing cotton liners to absorb sweat, enhancing comfort and prolonging glove life.

Legal Considerations

Don’t forget this amendment, including limb (a) and limb (b) workers; source: https://www.hse.gov.uk/ppe/ppe-regulations-2022.htm#definitions

Personal protective equipment (PPE) at work regulations from 6 April 2022

Definitions of limb (a) and limb (b) workers

In the UK, section 230(3) of the Employment Rights Act 1996’s definition of a worker has 2 limbs:

• Limb (a) describes those with a contract of employment. This group are employees under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and are already in scope of PPER 1992
• Limb (b) describes workers who generally have a more casual employment relationship and work under a contract for service – they do not currently come under the scope of PPER 1992

PPER 2022 draws on this definition of worker and captures both employees and limb (b) workers:

Employers with both employees and limb (b) workers 

Starting from 6 April 2022, it’s essential that all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided equitably to every worker, as stipulated by PPER 2022. This involves conducting risk assessments and ensuring that appropriate PPE is available to everyone categorised as a worker when it’s needed.

The PPE must not only be compatible with the tasks at hand but also properly maintained and stored. It’s crucial that all workers are trained on how to use the PPE correctly and follow these instructions diligently. Should the provided PPE get lost or become defective, it is the responsibility of the worker to report this to their employer immediately.

Key Take-Aways

Conduct thorough and regular PPE assessments to ensure the safety and understanding among your workers. Engage with experts like HSE or your PPE supplier to stay informed and compliant. Proper management and documentation of PPE not only enhance safety but also protect against potential legal claims. Always ensure your contractors are equally equipped with the correct PPE for their tasks.

By understanding and implementing these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risks in your workplace while ensuring that your team is protected and productive. Remember, the right glove can make all the difference.