The protective gear that people use in many different occupations is an essential part of their professional equipment. The human body is susceptible to harm from various sources, and in some jobs protective clothing is not merely an optional item. Modern industry is rife with hazards and potential injuries, so taking safety seriously is not negotiable. Choosing the right work gloves is part of that attitude.
Gloves have various professional applications. Often, they are worn to prevent injuries, such as contusions, lacerations or sprains. Prolonged use of even the most primitive implements, such as gardening or farm tools, can damage the skin or injure the muscles of the hand. Even those who claim that they do not need gloves because their hands are used to such work occasionally suffer a deep cut or twisted finger which could have been avoided by slipping on a pair of gloves before starting work.
Temperature is another issue. Some industries make use of high-heat machinery and processes. The human hand cannot take a very high temperature or tolerate even mild heat for more than a matter of seconds. A standard, everyday item like a home geyser can cause discomfort or pain to its users. Burns are extremely serious because they can mean a lengthy layoff from work and they can also turn septic.
At the other extreme, exceptionally low temperatures also necessitate protection. Sub zero environments require gloves that shield the hands but allow satisfactory movement at the same time. There have been reports of mountain climbers who took off their gloves in an emergency situation and then contracted frostbite.
Many workers are required to handle hazardous substances or waste in the course of their duties. The human body has little or no resistance to these. Some of them are fatal or possibly carcinogenic on exposure or, in the case of medical waste, may transmit terminal diseases.
Some substances are so corrosive that they destroy human tissue on contact. Acids are typical examples, but there are others, such as benzene. Caustic soda is another, and is so strong that only PVC material offers significant protection against it and only for a matter of hours. Deciding on the appropriate material to wear depends on the substance in question and the concentration in which it is present.
Modern medical practice involves research and invasive treatment procedures. Scientists and their assistants sometimes handle deadly samples or terminal patients, so the use of protective clothing is one measure that they can use to increase their confidence and associate with the patient in the professional manner that is appropriate to their occupation. One publicized risk in present times is infection by HIV through needle-stick injuries. It is also standard practice during surgery to eliminate contact with the internal fluids and tissue of the patient. Medical staff use nitrile gloves, or sometimes the latex option, which allows the practitioner more hand motion.
Many jobs would not be possible without the use of proper protective clothing. Hand injuries can cause permanent disability and loss of income. Taking a hands-on approach to safety is far better than having regrets about negligence afterwards.
Gloves have various professional applications. Often, they are worn to prevent injuries, such as contusions, lacerations or sprains. Prolonged use of even the most primitive implements, such as gardening or farm tools, can damage the skin or injure the muscles of the hand. Even those who claim that they do not need gloves because their hands are used to such work occasionally suffer a deep cut or twisted finger which could have been avoided by slipping on a pair of gloves before starting work.
Temperature is another issue. Some industries make use of high-heat machinery and processes. The human hand cannot take a very high temperature or tolerate even mild heat for more than a matter of seconds. A standard, everyday item like a home geyser can cause discomfort or pain to its users. Burns are extremely serious because they can mean a lengthy layoff from work and they can also turn septic.
At the other extreme, exceptionally low temperatures also necessitate protection. Sub zero environments require gloves that shield the hands but allow satisfactory movement at the same time. There have been reports of mountain climbers who took off their gloves in an emergency situation and then contracted frostbite.
Many workers are required to handle hazardous substances or waste in the course of their duties. The human body has little or no resistance to these. Some of them are fatal or possibly carcinogenic on exposure or, in the case of medical waste, may transmit terminal diseases.
Some substances are so corrosive that they destroy human tissue on contact. Acids are typical examples, but there are others, such as benzene. Caustic soda is another, and is so strong that only PVC material offers significant protection against it and only for a matter of hours. Deciding on the appropriate material to wear depends on the substance in question and the concentration in which it is present.
Modern medical practice involves research and invasive treatment procedures. Scientists and their assistants sometimes handle deadly samples or terminal patients, so the use of protective clothing is one measure that they can use to increase their confidence and associate with the patient in the professional manner that is appropriate to their occupation. One publicized risk in present times is infection by HIV through needle-stick injuries. It is also standard practice during surgery to eliminate contact with the internal fluids and tissue of the patient. Medical staff use nitrile gloves, or sometimes the latex option, which allows the practitioner more hand motion.
Many jobs would not be possible without the use of proper protective clothing. Hand injuries can cause permanent disability and loss of income. Taking a hands-on approach to safety is far better than having regrets about negligence afterwards.
